Early Signing Period: Zukudo Igwenagu Signs With Rutgers Football

For quite some time, Igwenagu was the top rated commit in the Rutgers 2019 class as the top player in Massachusetts since he announced in June. Knights fans can rest easy now that he signed Wednesday.

Whenever he ends up playing, Igwenagu will be one of the more physically gifted players. In high school he often lined up at cornerback, but was so unblockable he also served as the edge setting linebacker for all intensive purposes. He has excellent size, speed, and strength which is why he has been listed as a safety, outside linebacker, and simply athlete. His his school film shows him dominating at wide receiver so it also could be a Mohamed Sanu like situation where the staff simply HAS to play him on offense because he’s their best receiver. He has the highest ceiling of anyone in the Rutgers recruiting class so far and only didn’t get more recruiting buzz because he played in Massachusetts and has been strongly committed to RU. For all the talk that RU needs to build depth with 3-star players, Zukudo is one of those guys who could be a much needed gamebreaker.

Position: OLB/S/WR (6’4”, 216 lbs.)

High School: Worcester Academy

Hometown: Worcester, MA

Most notable other offers: Rice (Michigan, Duke, Northwestern, and UCLA also interested)

The most likely start for Igwenagu will be in the linebacker room that loses three year starters Deonte Roberts and Trevor Morris. With the credit card fraud investigation not fully resolved, the Scarlet Knights are down to just four experienced linebackers so there is room for freshmen to surely compete on special teams and be pressed into duty on defense. If anyone is a difference maker right away, he could start.

Worst case: T.J. Taylor (injury derailment)

Most likely: Jamal Merrell

Best case: Khaseem Greene / Mohamed Sanu

Check out his highlights below:

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