Overlooked College Football Program Lands Top 10 Transfer Portal Class Despite 7-6 Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jan 19, 2025 7:22 PM ET

There aren't many surprises among the top 10 college football programs in On3Sports' team transfer portal rankings. There are some of the sports' blue bloods like LSU (5th) and Michigan (8th) and CFB mainstays like Miami (4th) and Oregon (6th).

But at the No. 7 spot, a mediocre Big Ten team jumps out after what was a forgettable 2024 season. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have 11 incoming transfers and added $2.6 million in adjusted NIL value.

The portal class is highlighted by three four-star transfers: EDGE Bradley Weaver (Ohio), TE Colin Weber (Charlotte) and EDGE Eric O'Neill (JMU).

O'Neill finished last season at JMU with 52 total tackles, three passes defended, 13 sacks and one interception. He is ranked No. 36 in On3's portal player rankings.

In December, 13 players left Rutgers in 24 hours after former Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak was named the head coach of UMass.

The Scarlet Knights have still not yet replaced Harasymiak. After the team's loss to Kansas State in the Rate Bowl, head coach Greg Schiano explained his timeline in finding a new DC, per Chris Iseman of NorthJersey.com.

"My timeline is getting the best person for Rutgers. That may be – it could’ve been the day after and it could be two months from now. We’ll figure that out as it goes. In my younger years I made that mistake, I felt like I had to do it right away. Other than this game, why would I have to do it right away? We don’t play for eight months.

“We’ll get the best guy. Certainly by spring because we want to have a plan in place by spring football.”

Hiring a big splash at defensive coordinator could improve Rutgers' portal class even more, assuming the coach could bring players from his former team.

Rutgers has the No. 30 recruiting class in 2025 overall, ninth-best among Big Ten schools.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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