Rutgers defense position-by-position analysis, key names to know

PISCATAWAY – Even the most diehard Rutgers football fans will want to have a roster next to them when they watch the Scarlet Knights’ season opener.

Mostly for when Rutgers’ defense is on the field.

It looks a whole lot different than it did a year ago. New faces on the field, new faces on the sideline.

It’s a full overhaul.

After the Scarlet Knights’ defense struggled badly last season, coach Greg Schiano brought in new coordinator Travis Johansen to fix it – he also brought in more than a dozen defensive transfers to bolster the unit at all three levels.

Some names will still be familiar, but make no mistake – transfers will make their mark on the defense for Rutgers, which opens its season Sept. 3 against UMass at SHI Stadium.

Here’s a position-by-position analysis:

Defensive line

Two names who will be familiar here are Keshon Griffin and Zaire Angoy, both of whom have been with the program for a while and likely have an inside track at starting on the interior.

Doug-Blue Eli also returns after missing all of last season due to injury, while Farell Gnago returns for his third season with the program after making some nice plays as a sophomore in 2025 – including an interception against Illinois.

After that, it’s largely a mix of transfers and up-and-comers.

Rutgers added defensive end Malachi Davis from Toledo and he has a chance to make an impact to boost what’s been a lackluster pass rush – Davis last season had 36 tackles (9.5 for loss) with 5.5 sacks.

Another defensive end transfer is J’Dan Burnett, who had 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season for Tulsa.

 For reference, Rutgers had 11 sacks as a team last season.

The Scarlet Knights also brought in defensive tackle Rondo Porter, who spent last season at Appalachian State – he previously was at South Carolina and Division II Newberry and Lenoir-Rhyne in what’s been a winding road to Rutgers.

Jaedin Lee transferred to Rutgers after two seasons at Maine – he started all 12 games at nose tackle last season, finishing with 32 tackles (3.5 for loss).

The latest transfer Rutgers brought in was Sekou Kromah, an East Orange native who gained another year of eligibility following a court decision at the start of training camp. Kromah previously played at Temple, where he had 14 tackles and three sacks last season.

Players like Raedyn Burns, Rinaldo Calaway III, Braxton Kyle and Jyon Simon are among the younger pieces within the unit.

Linebackers

This is an intriguing position for Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights return Moses Walker and Abram Wright, who made seven starts last season.

Schiano said following the second scrimmage of training camp that he’d like to play multiple linebackers to help keep players fresh for the duration of the long season.

Ty Morris transferred in from Rice, where he had 88 tackles last season. He’s made a solid impression for Rutgers so far judging from Schiano’s previous comments.

Drake transfer Sean Allison has also drawn compliments from Schiano – Allison had 126 tackles (eight for loss) with two sacks last season.

Kamar Archie, Isaiah Deloatch and DJ McClary have steadily developed as they enter their season seasons with Rutgers and could be in line for more playing time this season.

All that being said, Rutgers has some depth here with a mix of transfers and returning players.

Safeties

Things on the defense get far murkier when it comes to the secondary, where Rutgers has the most spots to fill.

Kaj Sanders returns after starting all 12 games last season at safety, while Jesse Ofurie returns for his fourth season with Rutgers. This will also be the fourth season for Sage Clawges, who could potentially see some more time this season.

Chris Joines played in seven games last season after transferring from Mercer and he’s another option.

Cornerbacks

There’s a lot of turnover at this spot and Rutgers brought in multiple transfers to address it.

Villanova transfer Zahmir Dawud, a New Brunswick native, made 13 starts last season for the Wildcats and had 13 passes defensed.

Bradlee Jones, who transferred from The Citadel, had 53 tackles last season. Jones has elite speed, which Rutgers needed in the secondary against elite Big Ten receivers.

A key returner to know is Kevin Levy, who Schiano said in the spring had an “unbelievable” offseason.

“He's performing with confidence, attention to detail, taking care of his body, all the things that a big-time player does, he's doing,” Schiano said in the spring. “And he's got the God-given ability. So if he can just continue on that trajectory, he's going to be a really good corner."

Certainly high praise for a player Rutgers will need.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers defense position-by-position analysis, key names to know