Rutgers Scarlet Knights College Football Preview 2026

Rutgers Quick Hits

• Head Coach: Greg Schiano (17th year overall, 99-108 over two different runs
• Best Case / Worst Case: A decent bowl game/a three-win struggle
• Key Player: Antwan Raymond, RB Jr.
• 2025 Record: 5-7
• Biggest Question: Can the line play be better?

Rutgers Key 2025 Stats

• Second in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation in fewest penalty yards: 391
• Sacks: Opponents 38 for 219 yards, Rutgers 11 for 66 yards
• Third Quarter Scoring: Opponents 117, Rutgers 54

Offense

Finally, the offense worked. Under Schiano, the defense was great after he took over the reins again, but the offense struggled.

Last year, it was the reverse, with a dangerous downfield passing game and an efficient attack that didn’t turn the ball over. Enough parts are back to be even better.

- 2026 Rutgers Schedule Analysis

What’s Working

There’s no reason to think the passing game will slow down. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was drafted late by the Washington Commanders, but in comes transfer Dylan Lonergan (Boston College), a veteran passer who’ll pick things up right away.

The Scarlet Knights don’t turn the ball over. The offense might not always crank up the production, but it doesn’t hurt itself. The 11 turnovers last season were relatively spread out - that’s the norm under Schiano.

Several stars are back. Leading rusher Antwan Raymond returns after a 1,241-yard, 13-touchdown season. KJ Duff is a big-time receiving talent, leading the way with 60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven scores.

What Needs Work

The offensive line has to be better. There’s experience with a promising interior returning, along with potential star tackle Ryder Langsdale, but the running game wasn’t dominant, and the pass protection was non-existent - Lonergan isn’t a runner. Losing tackle Taj White to Colorado doesn’t help.

It all tied together - controlling the clock matters. Rutgers won when it ran well, and lost when it didn’t, going 4-1 when running for more than 140 yards, 0-6 when it didn’t. There wasn’t any push against the Big Ten’s good run defenses.

There’s promise and potential at receiver - Ben Black and Vernon Allen III should step up - alongside AJ Duff, but the offense has to replace two good veterans in Ian Strong (Cal) and DT Sheffield.

Player to Watch

Ryder Langsdale, OT Sr.
A star at Lafayette, the 6-7, 295-pounder was out all of last year hurt, but when he’s right, he’s the pass protector the offense needs. If he settles in at left tackle, the line will all of a sudden become a plus.

Defense

The 2023 Rutgers defense was a rock. The offense didn’t carry its weight, but the defensive side did its job.

The 2024 defense struggled, and the 2025 version crashed, finishing 127th in the nation overall. The transfer portal should bring in the help.

What’s Working

Here come the new guys. It starts with the defensive coordinator, with former South Dakota head coach Travis Johansen taking over.

The staff went out and got some defensive backs. Kevyn Humes (Maryland), Bradley Jones (The Citadel), and Zahmir Dawud (Villanova) should lock down jobs right away.

The defensive front loaded up, too. Malachi Davis (Toledo) and J’Dan Burnett (Tulsa) should be the veteran pass rushers the team needs - they combined for 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last season with their respective teams.

What Needs Work

Is Johansen really the right guy as the defensive coordinator? His Coyotes were great in his one season as the head coach, but his defense was just okay - it was better and stronger in 2024 when he was South Dakota’s DC.

The run defense has to show up. It got ripped to shreds by everyone, allowing 210 yards per game and close to seven yards per carry. It’s asking the world of new 6-0, 295-pound tackle Rondo Porter (App State) to suddenly fix the glitch.

Can Ty Morris really be the answer for the linebacking corps? The Scarlet Knights didn’t get enough out of the group, but Abram Wright did his part to hold up. Morris came up with 88 tackles last year for Rice, but the overall depth has to hold up.

Player to Watch

Kevyn Humes, S Jr.
The Maryland transfer is being asked to grow into a nickel/safety position and be a top tackler right away. He’s got the range, but he didn’t make a huge impact in his two years with the Terps. No pressure, but come close to leading the team in tackles.

Keys to the Season

The Scarlet Knights are great at controlling games. They make you play at their tempo, and they’re going to win the time of possession battle. Now they need the rested defense to do more to go along with the improved offense.

Player Who Needs To Shine

Zaire Angoy, DT Sr.
The 6-3, 300-pounder isn’t a stat guy, but it’s up to him to hold up in the interior of the line. The Scarlet Knights desperately need a veteran anchor, and with another year of eligibility, Angoy has to be the veteran leader with all the transfers filling in around him.

Biggest Concern

The pass rush has to show up.
To be fair, even in the years when the defense was good, the pass rush wasn’t anything special. Last year, though, only UCLA came up with fewer sacks - ten to Rutgers’ 11. There has to be more pressure in the backfield in all phases.

Biggest Game

at Maryland, October 17
The date at Maryland starts a midseason run of three games in four weeks and four in six. Win, and the Scarlet Knights will likely be 3-3 at worst, 4-2 if they beat Boston College. It’ll take several upsets to get to six wins if they don’t win this.

Transfer Portal

Rutgers lost several stars to the portal, but it found enough prospects who fit the system to step in right away. If nothing else, the defense should be better with this haul.

Best Signing

Dylan Lonergan, QB Sr.
Good enough to start out at Alabama, he spent two years as a backup before going to Boston College. He wasn’t the problem on a bad team, but he struggled to generate points. There will be more firepower to work with now.

Biggest Loss

Bo Mascoe, CB Sr.
He didn’t make a ton of plays when the ball was in the air, but he came up with 103 tackles with two picks and nine broken up passes over the last two seasons - he’s a baller. Now he’ll be a key part of the Texas secondary.

Other Names to Know

• Kevyn Humes, CB (Maryland)
• Malachi Davis, EDGE (Toledo)
• Kameron Anthony, TE (Ball State)

CFN Season Prediction

This should be a better team, but it has to force its own breaks.

Start with this - the offensive line will be far better, and the pass rush will be stronger. That should be enough to push for at least one upset win, but the overall talent level is just okay compared to the rest of the loaded Big Ten.

On the plus side, there’s no dealing with Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois, or Iowa. However, the regular season finale against Michigan State is probably the only time the Scarlet Knights will be a Big Ten favorite.

CFN Prediction: 4-8

There are enough winnable games to make a push for at least six wins, but just about every 50/50 game will be a dogfight.

There should be two wins against Howard and UMass without a problem, and home games against Nebraska and Michigan State are gettable, but the glut of road dates in the second half of the season will be too much to overcome.

- 26 for 2026: Key Questions for the Big Ten Season