Rutgers football has multiple players featured on the East-West Shrine Bowl watch list.
The Rutgers football program has taken major strides under Greg Schiano’s second reign with the Scarlet Knights. Going into 2024, the program has a real opportunity to not just compete for a bowl game appearance – but a berth in the college football playoffs. That success can be seen, too, with over 10 players on the Rutgers football team being placed on the East-West Shrine Bowl watch list this season. These players may not take their talents to college football’s oldest all-star game, but they’re worth paying attention to this season.
Athan Kaliakmanis, Quarterback
Athan Kaliakmanis won the starting job this spring, and has a chance to cement himself in Scarlet Knights’ lore with a breakout season in 2024.
Last season, Kaliakmanis threw for 1,838 yards with 14 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions. He’ll have to play better than that to boost the Rutgers offense. However, the Minnesota transfer will be playing under his former offensive coordinator, Kirk Ciarrocca, and that may be enough to unlock the offense.
Kyle Monangai, Running Back
Kyle Monangai is one of the most underrated running backs in the nation. After leading the Big Ten in rushing yards last year, Monangai was snubbed from many seasonal accolades. However, his production is hard to ignore.
Monangai is the first Rutgers running back since 2012 to to have a 1,000-yard season. And given the run-heavy scheme ran by the Scarlet Knights, it’s likely he reaches that milestone again this year. The Rutgers running back is expected to have a big year, so there’s little shock as to why he was selected to the Shrine Bowl watch list.
Dymere Miller, Wide Receiver
Dymere Miller transferred to Rutgers after playing for the Monmouth Hawks for four seasons. In his final season with the Hawks, Miller led the FCS with 1,293 receiving yards. He coupled that with nine touchdowns, averaging 117.5 yards per game.
Miller joins a Rutgers receiving room that has plenty of opportunity to garner targets. If he’s able to produce like he did in the FCS, Miller will be a great addition to the Rutgers football team, and may find himself playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Naseim Brantley, Wide Receiver
This is the second year in a row that Naseim Brantley has been picked to the Shrine Bowl 1000. Unfortunately, Brantley would not see any live game action in 2023 due to a NCAA eligibility issue. However, that has since been resolved, and Brantley will look to make an impact on the Rutgers offense in 2024.
Brantley started his collegiate career with the Sacred Heart Pioneers, a FCS program. His most recent action came in 2022 playing for the Western Illinois Leathernecks, another FCS program. There, Brantley put together a 53-catch season with 903 yards and nine touchdowns. If he can produce similar production with Rutgers, it would be a huge boost to the Scarlet Knights’ offense.
Hollin Pierce, Offensive Line
Hollin Pierce has an incredibly football journey. Originally starting his career as a walk-on, he’s come into his own as a capable starter on the Rutgers offensive line. While he’s earned academic Big Ten honors throughout his tenure with Rutgers, he’s also shown a great ability to play.
In 2022, Pierce was a candidate for the Burlsworth Trophy. That award honors outstanding football players whose career began as a walk-on and have shown excellent performance on the gridiron. Last year, Pierce was part of a unit that allowed the fewest sacks per game in the Big Ten (1.08). He was also voted as an honorable mention for All-Big Ten honors.
Heading into 2024, Pierce has been named Preseason All-Big Ten second team by Athlon Sports, and third team by Phil Steele. Entering his final season of college football, expect Pierce to go out on an impressive note.
Aaron Lewis, EDGE
Aaron Lewis is a senior for Rutgers football, and it’s not surprising his name is on the Shrine Bowl watch list. While he only was able to accumulate three sacks last season, he had 10 quarterback hits, leading the team. That performance led him to an honorable mention for All-Big Ten honors.
Heading into 2024, Lewis is working with a new defensive end coach in Julian Campenni. If Campenni can unlock Lewis, it will do wonders for the Scarlet Knights’ success.
Wesley Bailey, EDGE
Like the aforementioned Lewis, Wesley Bailey is another player looking to step up with fresh faces on the coaching staff. Bailey had four sacks for the Scarlet Knights last season, good for second on the team. And entering his final season, he hopes to build on that success.
Mohamed Toure, Linebacker
In 2023, Mohamed Toure took over as a full-time starter for the Scarlet Knights, and it paid dividends. Toure finished second on the team in tackles with 93, and led Rutgers football team with 4.5 sacks. That type of versatility is a huge boost to the Rutgers football team, and it’s not hard to see why the Shrine Bowl would keep an eye on a player of his caliber.
Entering 2024, Toure expects to be the leader of the Rutgers’ linebacker group. And, if he’s able to build off his 2023 season, there’s little reason why Toure won’t become a popular name come draft season.
Tyreem Powell, Linebacker
Tyreem Powell may have only played in limited games last season due to injuries, but he made an impact in his limited action. Powell finished sixth on the team in tackles (53) while securing two sacks and a forced fumble in nine games.
Coach Schiano expects Powell to be healthy entering 2024, and that only bolsters an incredibly tough Rutgers defense.
Michael “Flip” Dixon, Safety
Senior Flip Dixon enters 2024 as one of the leaders of the Scarlet Knights’ defense. Dixon finished third on the team in tackles last year, and was listed as the 12th-best safety in Big Ten football in 2023. While it’s likely he could have entered the 2024 NFL draft, he chose to stay another year in school. That decision will be a huge boost to the Rutgers defense and their expectations this season.
Shaquan Loyal, Safety
Shaquan Loyal was a tackle machine for Rutgers football last season. Finishing fourth on the team with 66 stops, Loyal looks to be the second half of an elite Scarlet Knights safety duo this season. The 6-foot senior has a lot to prove in his final season of college football, and could see a Shrine Bowl invite if he helps anchor the Rutgers defense.
Desmond Igbinosun, Cornerback
Desmond Igbinosun proved to be a physical cornerback for the Rutgers defense. The Scarlet Knights defensive back had 64 tackles in 2023, which was fifth on the team. While he didn’t possess ball hawk capabilities in a starting role, he provides great support in the run game – which is important in the Big Ten. Igbinosun may not “wow” fans with his coverage ability, but his physicality is to be admired.
Robert Longerbeam, Cornerback
Robert Longerbeam might be the best player in the Rutgers secondary. The Scarlet Knights cornerback showed a prowess for making plays on the ball, being one of only two players in the Big Ten with 10 pass breakups and leading the Rutgers defense with two forced fumbles. It’s hard not to be impressed by Longerbeam’s potential, and he’ll look to take another step forward entering the 2024 season.
Austin Riggs, Long Snapper
Austin Riggs started his collegiate career playing for BYU before transferring to Rutgers this season. While his high school career saw him play as a long snapper and defensive back, Riggs has made a career at the college football level as a long snapper. With the Cougars, Riggs was named to the All-Big Ten fourth team by Phil Steele for his long snapping ability. Yet while fans may not want to see Riggs get too much in-game action, it’s hard to argue his capability an unheralded position in football.
