Rutgers Football: Resetting the current roster

UPDATED after Ron Johnson announcement.

With the news Ron Johnson is joining the Scarlet Knights and Travis Vokolek is now closer to his home and family at Nebraska, Aaron and I struggled to remember if we have always been posting about every single player’s new destination. There are so many players coming and going at this point, it makes more sense to keep a running tracker of everyone who has come and gone since the 2018 season opener. Each position group will be covered in more detail over the summer, but a quick snapshot is below.

NOTE: We will update this post with any new developments

Review of scholarship players and walk-ons who spent any time on the two-deep

Quarterback returnees: Art Sitkowski, Austin Albericci

additions: McLane Carter (transfer from Texas Tech), Johnny Langan (transfer from Boston College) Cole Snyder (early enrollee), (Zamar Wise possible grayshirt)

losses: Giovanni Rescigno (graduation), Rob Nittolo (graduation), Johnathan Lewis (now at Tight End), Jalen Chatman (transfer to Portland St.)

Running Back returnees: Elijah Barnwell (was temporarily at LB), Raheem Blackshear, Isaih Pacheco

additions: (Aaron Young + Kay’Ron Adams in summer)

losses: Jonathan Hilliman (graduation), Trey Sneed (transfer to Fordham), Charles Snorweah (transfer to TBD),

Wide Receiver returnees: Mo Jabbie, Zihir Lacewell, Cole Murphy (also holder), Tyler Hayek, Hunter Hayek, Bo Melton, Shameen Jones, Everett Wormley, Eddie Lewis, Paul Woods, Jalen Jordan, Daevon Robinson (played mostly TE)

additions: Monterio Hunt (JUCO formerly at Marshall), (Stanley King + Isaiah Washington in summer)

losses: none

Tight End returnees: Johnathan Lewis (began 2018 at QB), Brandon Myers (FB), Jonathan Pimentel

additions: Matt Alaimo (transfer from UCLA), Kyle Penniston (transfer from Wisconsin)

losses: Jerome Washington (graduation), Travis Vokolek (transfer to Nebraska), Nakia Griffin-Stewart (transfer to Pittsburgh), Max Anthony (FB, transfer to Albany)

Offensive Line returnees: Kamaal Seymour, Zach Venesky, Mike Lonsdorf, Mike Maietti, Sam Howson, Nick Krimin, Sam Vretman, Owen Bowles, Jamaal Beaty, Reggie Sutton, Raiqwon O’Neal, Matt Rosso

additions: Omari Cooper (JUCO) (CJ Hanson + Anton Oskarrson in summer)

losses: Tariq Cole (graduation), Zach Heeman (graduation), Jonah Jackson (transfer Ohio State), Micah Clark (now at defensive tackle)

Defensive Line returnees: Willington Previlon, Manny Taylor, Elorm Lumor, Julius Turner, Jaohne Duggan, Brendan Bordner, Mike Tverdov, Tijaun Mason (missed 2018 due to injury), Matt Thomas, Jamree Kromah, Robin Jutwreten

additions: Ron Johnson (Grad transfer from Michigan), Corey Bolds (JUCO formerly at Penn State), Micah Clark (from offense), Malachi Burby (early enrollee), (Rayyan Buell + Devin Baldwin in summer); Ron Johnson (transferring from Michigan, link here).

losses: Kevin Wilkins (graduation), Jon Bateky (graduation), Muhammed Wainwright (graduation),

Linebacker returnees: Tyreek Maddox-Williams, Tyshon Fogg, Olakunle Fatukasi, CJ Onyechi (reinstated), Deion Jennings, Rashawn Battle

additions: Nihym Anderson (Maryland), Drew Singleton (transfer from Michigan), Mohamed Toure (early enrollee) (Zukudo Igwenagu + Chris Conti + Brian Ugwu in summer)

losses: Trevor Morris (graduation), Deonte Roberts (graduation)

Cornerback returnees: Damon Hayes (also played safety), Avery Young, Tre Avery (was injured), Jarrett Paul, Kessawn Abaraham, Jelani Garvin, Zamir Mickens, Kobe Marfo (reinstated)

additions: (Donovan Bunch + Darius Gooden in summer)

losses: Isaiah Wharton (graduation), Blessuan Austin (left early for NFL)

Safety returnees: Tim Barrow, Christian Izien, Naijee Jones (reinstated), Rani Abdulaziz, Larry Stevens, Malik Dixon (reinstated)

additions: (Donald Williams + T.J. Robinson in summer)

losses: Kiy Hester (graduation), Saquan Hampton (graduation), Eddie Lopez (left program)

Specialist returnees: Justin Davidovicz (PK), Gavin Haggerty (PK), Adam Korsak (P), Billy Taylor (LS), Matt Sportelli (LS)

losses: Nick Johnston (P - graduation)

Hopefully I didn’t miss anybody!

HOT TAKE

Rutgers has seen plenty of attrition, especially with the new transfer portal. That being said, they have also benefitted with the big shake up as well. As much as I don’t like this insane free agent system that needs to be corralled a little bit more, Rutgers needs to continue to take advantage while they can. Major institutional or system shakeups provide an opportunity for those who have less to close the gap more quickly if they pounce.