The transfer portal is officially closed, but Rutgers is still on the market.
Friday marked the final day of the two-week window for college football players to explore other options, a list that includes more than 6,700 Division I players, per ESPN. The Scarlet Knights have seen 17 of their players from last season join that list.
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But while no more departures are coming, movement in the other direction is still expected.
Rutgers has added 12 to its roster for next year across eight positions — quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker, cornerback (2), defensive end (2), defensive tackle (2) and offensive line (2) — and they are not done yet, people with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media.
Here is a look at what positions the Scarlet Knights are still targeting to complete their 2026 roster, in no particular order:
Cornerback
Rutgers has already landed two corners — Bradlee Jones from the Citadel and Zahmir Dawud from Villanova — but after losing its top four contributors at the position from last season to the portal (Bo Mascoe, Jacobie Henderson) or graduation (Cam Miller, Al-Shadee Salaam), the Scarlet Knights are intent in adding another transfer to the rotation.
Tight End
The Scarlet Knights entered the offseason needing to add multiple bodies to the room after losing top two contributors Kenny Fletcher and Colin Weber to graduation. After landing Ball State’s Kam Anthony early in the cycle, Rutgers is in pursuit of another transfer, who will more than likely replace Fletcher as the starter at the position.
Interior Offensive Lineman
Rutgers lost starting left guard Bryan Felter and center Gus Zilinskas to graduation, so there should be plenty of competition in the interior of the line this offseason.
There are a number of candidates in the room, including incoming transfers Isaiah Cook of Delaware State and Everett Small of Eastern Michigan, but the Scarlet Knights showed they are not hesitant to bring in a heavy haul of offensive line transfers a year ago, and this offseason figures to follow that trend.
Defensive End
Rutgers feels good about its two additions at the position (Malachi Davis from Toledo and J’Dan Burnett from Tulsa) but considering how much the program has struggled to create a pass rush over the past decade, it is always looking to bolster that room.
If the Scarlet Knights get the chance to land another quality edge rusher, they will take it.
What else?
— The Scarlet Knights would welcome another wide receiver to fill in the spot left by star Ian Strong, who transferred to California, but only if it is the right situation.
There is enough depth on the current roster — from veterans like Benjamin Black and Famah Toure to redshirt freshmen Vernon Allen and Jourdin Houston to incoming freshmen Dyzier Carter and Elias Coke — that head coach Greg Schiano and company don’t feel a pressing need to add a wide-out unless they are a sure-fire starter and contributor.
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— Despite some major struggles at the position last fall, the Scarlet Knights are not pursuing a transfer safety.
Between returning starter Kaj Sanders, a number of depth pieces that missed significant time with injury last season (DK Gilley, Chris Joines, Davoun Fuse) and promising young prospects like former four-star Tariq Hayer and redshirt freshman Latrell Noel, there is confidence in what is currently on the roster.
— Rutgers seems set at linebacker after adding Rice transfer Ty Morris. The Scarlet Knights lost starter Dariel Djabome to graduation, but they return starters Moses Walker and Abram Wright, plus promising prospects like DJ McClary and Kamar Archie.
