How the transfer portal will shape Rutgers football in 2025

Since the NCAA Transfer Portal opened on December 9, Rutgers football recruited six players to their 2025 roster. The Scarlet Knights added three offensive weapons and three defensive players since the portal opened over two weeks ago. Even though RU added six new players to their 2025 roster, the Scarlet Knights lost four former players to the portal. Which key players are coming and going for Rutgers football? Let’s dive in.

Rutgers football’s 2025 Commitments

With the Scarlet Knights completing their 2024 season with a 44-41 loss to Kansas State in the Rate Bowl Game, head coach Greg Schiano and his coaching staff have added six players to their 2025 roster.

On December 12, Rutgers received their first commitment, Darold DeNgohe, from James Madison University. Since then, RU has received commitments from five other players, with tight end Colin Weber being the latest signing on December 21.

How can these six players bring value to RU’s roster when they report in 2025?

Rutgers football Defensive Recruits

Defensive Lineman – Darold DeNgohe

On December 12, Rutgers received their first transfer commitment when former JMU prospect Darold DeNgohe signed with RU. According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-2, 290-pound three-star recruit is ranked No. 56 among defensive linemen in the 2025 transfer portal.

DeNgohe played in 12 games in 2024, recording 28 tackles (11 solo) to go with 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, and a blocked extra point. He produced a season-high four tackles against Ball State, Southern Miss, and Marshall. Also, he registered his first career sack against Southern Miss.

DeNgohe adds depth and much-needed experience to RU’s defensive line group. Rutgers has a heavy amount of senior defensive linemen who will be moving on next season and his experience will allow him to get instant playing time on their defensive front.

Defensive Lineman – Doug Blue-Eli

On December 13, RU received another defensive commitment when 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive tackle Doug Blue-Eli transferred to the Scarlet Knights. The Paulsboro, New Jersey, native transferred from USF to RU.

Blue-Eli finished his 2024 season with 17 tackles (five solo and 12 assists) and one interception in eight games. He started 12 games in 2023 for the Bulls, logging a career-high 19 tackles (nine solo and ten assists), three tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.

According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 49 among defensive linemen in the transfer portal. Blue-Eli, just like DeNgohe, can add a veteran presence for a young defensive front in 2025.

Cornerback – Jacobie Henderson

On December 18, Rutgers football received a second commitment on the day when cornerback Jacobie Henderson transferred from Marshall University. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound defensive back finished the 2024 season with 50 tackles (28 solo and 22 assists), two interceptions, and ten pass breakups.

Henderson recorded his best 2024 performance against Appalachian State when he logged six tackles and an interception. In three seasons with the Thundering Herd, Henderson logged 75 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 42 among cornerbacks and No. 349 overall within the portal.

Henderson adds depth and experience to Rutgers’ secondary. With multiple defensive backs declaring for the NFL Draft, there will be available positions in RU’s nickel and dime packages come 2025. Henderson can find himself getting playing time at cornerback come Spring ball.

Rutgers football Offensive Recruits

Running Back – CJ Campbell JR

Rutgers football received their first offensive recruit on December 13 when running back CJ Campbell Jr. transferred from Florida Atlantic University. While with the Owls, Campbell Jr recorded 844 rushing yards on 165 attempts with 11 touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and 70.3 yards per game. Also, he logged 40 receptions for 466 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

His best 2024 performance came against the University of Charlotte where he recorded 150 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. According to 247Sports, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound three-star recruit is the No. 35 ranked running back within the transfer portal.

With the departure of star running back Kyle Monangai, the No. 1 running back position is up for grabs with Antwan Raymond, Ja’shon Benjamin, and Samuel Brown V all fighting for the position. Campbell Jr. offers plenty of experience which might give him a leg up among the rest of the group battling for the available spot.

Wide Receiver – DT Sheffield

The Scarlet Knights added an outside weapon for starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis when wide receiver DT Sheffield transferred from North Texas on December 18. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver finished the 2024 season with 66 catches for 822 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added four carries for 86 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Sheffield’s best performance came against FAU when he logged 11 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns. According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 26 among wide receivers and No. 122 overall within the portal.

With the departure of Dymere Miller and Christian Dremel to the NFL Draft, the Scarlet Knights have a very young wide receiver core going into 2025. Ian Strong and KJ Duff started to emerge in 2024 and are the front runners to crack the starting lineup next season. With RU having little experience at the wide receiver position, Sheffield could crack the starting lineup during spring practices.

Tight End – Colin Weber

On December 21, Rutgers football received their last transfer recruit when tight end Colin Weber committed to the Scarlet Knights. Weber is a transfer from the University of Charlotte and finished the 2024 season with 21 receptions for 213 yards.

Weber’s best performance came against James Madison University when he finished the game with six catches for 45 yards. In four seasons with the 49ers, Weber logged 56 catches for 573 yards in 34 games. He averaged 10.2 yards per catch and 16.9 yards per game. According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 7 among tight ends and No. 132 overall within the portal.

With the injury to Kenny Fletcher, the Scarlet Knights will be looking to fill the No. 1 tight end position come Spring ball. If Fletcher isn’t recovered from a season-ending injury, Weber can see himself getting some starting reps during spring practices.

Rutgers Football’s 2025 Departures

Linebacker – Wesley Bailey

On December 14, Rutgers football lost edge rusher Wesley Bailey to the transfer portal when he committed to Louisville. Bailey finished the 2024 season with nine tackles (four solo and five assists) and a sack. In four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound linebacker finished his Rutgers career with 69 tackles (32 solo and 37 assists), 9.5 sacks, and seven pass breakups.

According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 54 among edge rushers and No. 508 overall within the portal.

Safety – Thomas Amankwaa

The Scarlet Knights lost their second player to the transfer portal when safety Thomas Amankwaa committed to the University of Delaware. Amankwaa didn’t see any action in 2024 but was a four-star recruit for RU out of high school.

In two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the 6-foot, 210-pound defensive back finished his Rutgers career with four tackles and one pass breakup in 17 games. According to 247Sports, Amankwaa was the No. 2 New Jersey prospect in the 2022 recruiting class.

Linebacker – Timmy Hinspeter

Rutgers football lost another linebacker to the transfer portal when Timmy Hinspeter committed to UMass on December 19. Hinspeter finished the 2024 season with 16 tackles (four solo and 12 assists) in seven games. In two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the 6-foot-1, 231-pound junior linebacker finished his Rutgers career with 20 tackles (six solo and 14 assists).

Wide Receiver – Chris Long

On December 17, the Scarlet Knights lost one of their offensive weapon wide receiver Chris Long. Long committed to Syracuse, electing to leave Rutgers. Long finished the 2024 season with seven starts at wide receiver, recording 11 receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown. His best 2024 performance came against Akron where Long recorded four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.

In three seasons with RU, Long finished his Rutgers career with 28 catches for 391 receiving yards and two touchdowns. According to 247Sports, the three-star recruit is ranked No. 109 among wide receivers and No. 695 overall within the portal.