How this backup RB is making impact on Rutgers football's offense

PISCATAWAY – There are few guarantees when it comes to adding transfers and Rutgers football like most programs has had its share of hits and misses in recent years.

Consider running back Clay Thevenin a hit.

In a difficult season so far for the Scarlet Knights, Thevenin has been a bright spot as a backup to star Antwan Raymond, giving the offense another tough, physical runner who so far has made the most of his opportunities.

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Thevenin through five games has rushed for 180 yards on 42 carries (4.3 yards per attempt) with three touchdowns for Rutgers, which will play Maryland on Saturday (12:30 p.m., Big Ten Network) at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland.

“Just making the most of my opportunities,” Thevenin said. “I know they’re going to come. As long as my preparation will meet the opportunity, I’ll go out and execute as much as I can and how I know I’m capable of.”

That’s the attitude a backup running back needs to have.

Thevenin is relishing his opportunity with the Scarlet Knights – the Fort Lauderdale native took a winding road to get here, starting out at Navarro College for two years before transferring to Louisiana Tech for the 2025 season.

He rushed for 634 yards with eight touchdowns last year.

Getting a chance to play in the Big Ten was a considerable step up in competition, and while he’s going to be tested over the next seven games against some physical defenses, he’s already shown he’s an asset to the offense.

“He really has fit in well in our culture, not only in football, but just the man he is,” coach Greg Schiano said. “And I think he's fit into that running back room perfectly. Quickly became one of us. He's very talented.”

The Scarlet Knights have been a steady running back pipeline since Schiano’s been back, including Isiah Pacheco, Kyle Monangai and Raymond, who’s almost certainly NFL bound.

Thevenin said before the season began that the way Rutgers develops the position was a major reason why he wanted to join the program.

Schiano’s been impressed with the way Thevenin has bought in.

“Coach (Damiere) Shaw is one of the best running back coaches, if not the best, in the country,” Schiano said. “And we do things a little differently. (Offensive coordinator) Coach (Kirk) Ciarrocca’s system is a little bit different. So you either buy in, and you can be really productive, but if you keep trying to do it a different way, it doesn't fit. It doesn't work. Clay was hook, line and sinker bought in and I'm excited we have him. He can be a really productive piece.”

Thevenin has absorbed the coaching he’s received.

His preparation has gone to another level as a result.

“Big level up, I’d say,” Thevenin said. “Just the day-to-day breakdown of how we approach the game. Just looking at normal downs, third downs, low red zone, blitz pickup, all that extra stuff that goes into the game, I’d say just coming to Rutgers I’ve learned more about football than I have in my entire life.”

Thevenin’s productiveness so far reflects that.

Aside from Raymond and Thevenin, Rutgers has a solid running back room that includes Jashon Benjamin, Edd Guerrier, Michael Dukes III and Aiden Gibson.

Thevenin said they all push each other daily – he’s embraced it since he joined the program.

“That’s what we try to do on a day-to-day basis,” Thevenin said. “There’s always going to be things to fix, but just making sure we don’t make the same mistakes and just pushing each other. We all have the same common goal.”

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: How this backup RB is making impact on Rutgers football's offense