2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

The 2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represented Rutgers University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Scarlet Knights played their home games at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey and competed as members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Chris Ash. They finished the season 4–8, 3–6 in Big Ten play to finish in fifth place in the East Division.

2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Division	East Division
Record	4–8 (3–6 Big Ten)
Head coach	Chris Ash (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Jerry Kill (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Power spread
Defensive coordinator	Jay Niemann (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Bill Busch (1st season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	High Point Solutions Stadium

2017 Big Ten Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
No. 5 Ohio State xy$		8	–	1					12	–	2
No. 15 Michigan State		7	–	2					10	–	3
No. 8 Penn State		7	–	2					11	–	2
Michigan		5	–	4					8	–	5
Rutgers		3	–	6					4	–	8
Indiana		2	–	7					5	–	7
Maryland		2	–	7					4	–	8
West Division
No. 7 Wisconsin xy		9	–	0					13	–	1
No. 17 Northwestern		7	–	2					10	–	3
Iowa		4	–	5					8	–	5
Purdue		4	–	5					7	–	6
Nebraska		3	–	6					4	–	8
Minnesota		2	–	7					5	–	7
Illinois		0	–	9					2	–	10
Championship: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting

Position key

Back	B		Center	C		Cornerback	CB		Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE		Defensive lineman	DL		Defensive tackle	DT		End	E
Fullback	FB		Guard	G		Halfback	HB		Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR		Offensive tackle	OT		Offensive lineman	OL		Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS		Punter	P		Punt returner	PR		Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB		Safety	S		Tight end	TE		Wide receiver	WR

Recruits

The Scarlet Knights signed a total of 26 recruits.

College recruiting information (2017)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Naijee Jones CB	Sicklerville, New Jersey	Timber Creek HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Nov 23, 2015
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Bo Melton WR	Egg Harbor City, New Jersey	Cedar Creek HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Apr 15, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Micah Clark OT	Holmdel, New Jersey	St. John Vianney HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	Apr 19, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jamaal Beaty OG	Holmdel, New Jersey	St. John Vianney HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Apr 19, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Everett Wormley WR	Burlington Township, New Jersey	Burlington Township HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Apr 22, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jonathan Lewis QB	Jersey City, New Jersey	St. Peter's Prep	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Apr 30, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tim Barrow CB	Staten Island, New York	Tottenville HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	188 lb (85 kg)	May 5, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Samuel Vrteman OT	Cheshire, Connecticut	Cheshire Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	May 16, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Edwin Lopez S	Camden, New Jersey	Woodrow Wilson HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jun 1, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Owen Bowles OG	Egg Harbor City, New Jersey	Cedar Creek HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	Jun 12, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
C.J. Onyechi LB	West Orange, New Jersey	West Orange HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Jun 16, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Tyler Hayek S	Wayne, New Jersey	Wayne Hills HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jun 25, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tyshon Fogg LB	Towson, Maryland	Calvert Hall HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	216 lb (98 kg)	Jun 26, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Olakunle Fatukasi LB	Brooklyn, New York	Grand Street HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Jun 28, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Shameen Jones WR	The Bronx, New York	Cardinal Hayes HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	171 lb (78 kg)	Jun 28, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jaohne Duggan DE	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	Liberty HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	Jun 28, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Mike Tverdov DE	Union, New Jersey	Union HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Jul 13, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Brendan Bordner DE	Hilliard, Ohio	Hilliard Bradley HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Dec 14, 2016
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Brendan Devera LB	Wayne, New Jersey	Wayne Hills HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	231 lb (105 kg)	Jan 23, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Tijaun Mason DE	Memphis, Tennessee	Trezevant HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Jan 24, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Travis Vokolek TE	Springfield, Missouri	Kickapoo HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Jan 28, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Hunter Hayek WR	Wayne, New Jersey	Wayne Hills HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jan 29, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Syhiem Simmons S	Montgomery, Alabama	Carver HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jan 29, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Elijah Barnwell RB	Piscataway, New Jersey	Piscataway Township HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jan 31, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Eddie Lewis WR	Middletown, New Jersey	Mater Dei HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	179 lb (81 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Raheem Blackshear WR	Warminister, Pennsylvania	Archbishop Wood HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Feb 1, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Rutgers Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017. "2017 Rutgers Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017. "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017.

Schedule

Rutgers announced its 2017 football schedule on July 11, 2013. The 2017 schedule consisted of 6 home, 5 away, and 1 neutral site game in the regular season. The Scarlet Knights hosted Big Ten foes Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue, and traveled to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Penn State. Rutgers played against Maryland in Bronx, New York at Yankee Stadium.

The Scarlet Knights hosted all three of the non-conference opponents, Eastern Michigan from the Mid-American Conference, Morgan State from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Washington from the Pac-12 Conference.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	8:00 p.m.	No. 8 Washington*	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	FS1	L 14–30	46,093
September 9	3:30 p.m.	Eastern Michigan*	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	L 13–16	37,661
September 16	3:30 p.m	Morgan State*	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	W 65–0	39,892
September 23	3:30 p.m.	at Nebraska	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE	BTN	L 17–27	89,775
September 30	7:30 p.m.	No. 11 Ohio State	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	L 0–56	46,328
October 14	12:00 p.m.	at Illinois	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	BTN	W 35–24	35,675
October 21	12:00 p.m.	Purdue	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	W 14–12	38,278
October 28	12:00 p.m.	at Michigan	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI	BTN	L 14–35	111,213
November 4	3:30 p.m.	Maryland	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	W 31–24	35,221
November 11	12:00 p.m.	at No. 16 Penn State	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	L 6–35	107,531
November 18	12:00 p.m.	at Indiana	Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN	BTN	L 0–41	35,949
November 25	4:00 p.m.	No. 21 Michigan State	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	FOX	L 7–40	35,021
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Schedule Source:

Game summaries

Washington

	1	2	3	4	Total
#8 Huskies	3	7	10	10	30
Scarlet Knights	7	0	0	7	14

See also: 2017 Washington Huskies football team

The Scarlet Knights opened the season by welcoming No. 8-ranked Washington to New Jersey. Rutgers took the early lead on a three-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Bolin to Janarion Grant. Washington answered with a field goal in the first quarter and a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown with the 3:50 seconds left in the half to take a 10–7 halftime lead. Though trailing, the Knights played well and hung with the highly ranked Huskies in the first half. However, Washington QB Jake Browning threw two second-half touchdown passes as Washington pulled away from the Scarlet Knights to win the game 30–14. The loss left the Scarlet Knights with an 0–1 record.

Eastern Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	13	0	3	16
Scarlet Knights	6	7	0	0	13

See also: 2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

Morgan State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
Scarlet Knights	7	27	17	14	65

See also: 2017 Morgan State Bears football team

At Nebraska

	1	2	3	4	Total
Scarlet Knights	7	3	7	0	17
Cornhuskers	7	7	7	6	27

See also: 2017 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Ohio State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buckeyes	7	28	7	14	56
Scarlet Knights	0	0	0	0	0

See also: 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

At Illinois

	1	2	3	4	Total
Scarlet Knights	7	14	7	7	35
Fighting Illini	3	7	0	14	24

See also: 2017 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Purdue

	1	2	3	4	Total
Boilermakers	0	3	3	6	12
Scarlet Knights	7	0	7	0	14

See also: 2017 Purdue Boilermakers football team

At Michigan

	1	2	3	4	Total
Scarlet Knights	0	7	7	0	14
Wolverines	0	21	7	7	35

See also: 2017 Michigan Wolverines football team

Maryland

	1	2	3	4	Total
Terrapins	7	7	10	0	24
Scarlet Knights	0	17	0	14	31

See also: 2017 Maryland Terrapins football team

At Penn State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Scarlet Knights	3	3	0	0	6
Nittany Lions	0	14	14	7	35

See also: 2017 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

At Indiana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Scarlet Knights	0	0	0	0	0
Hoosiers	17	3	14	7	41

See also: 2017 Indiana Hoosiers football team

Michigan State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Spartans	13	3	3	21	40
Scarlet Knights	0	7	0	0	7

See also: 2017 Michigan State Spartans football team

Roster and staff

2017 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Janarion Grant  Sr WR 2 Ahmir Mitchell  Fr WR 3 Jawuan Harris  So RB 4 Trey Sneed So WR 5 Damon Mitchell  Sr WR 6 Mohamed Jabbie  Fr RB 7 Robert Martin Sr RB 8 Josh Hicks Sr QB 9 Kyle Bolin  Sr WR 10 Everett Wormley Fr QB 11 Johnathan Lewis Fr QB 12 Zach Allen  Sr TE 12 Myles Nash  Sr RB 13 Gus Edwards  Sr QB 14 Rob Nittolo  Jr WR 15 Shameen Jones Fr WR 16 Tommy Wyatt  Fr QB 17 Giovanni Rescigno  Jr WR 18 Bo Melton Fr QB 19 Tom Flacco Jr RB 20 Elijah Barnwell Fr WR 23 Dacoven Bailey Fr RB 24 Charles Snorweah  So RB 25 Raheem Blackshear Fr RB 27 McDerby Ceneus  Jr RB 28 Aslan Pugh  Fr RB 38 Jim Brady  Fr WR 38 Nyshere Woodson Fr RB 40 Brendan Devera Fr RB 44 Max Anthony  So OL 50 Owen Bowles Fr OL 51 Jamaal Beaty Fr OL 54 Kamaal Seymour  So OL 55 Michael Maietti  Fr OL 56 Micah Clark Fr OL 57 Zach Miseo Fr OL 58 Charles Zarzecki Fr OL 60 Dorian Miller  Sr OL 61 Mike Lonsdorf  Fr OL 63 Jim Onulak  Fr OL 64 Skiy Pyrame  So OL 65 Tariq Cole  Jr OL 66 Nick Krimin  Fr OL 71 Marcus Applefield  Jr OL 72 Manny Taylor  So OL 73 Jonah Jackson  So OL 74 Sam Howson  Fr OL 75 Zach Venesky  So OL 77 Sam Vretman Fr OL 79 Zack Heeman  Jr WR 80 Nixon Provillon  Sr WR 81 Tyler Hayek Fr WR 82 Hunter Hayek Fr WR 83 Rashad Blunt  So WR 84 Cole Murphy Jr TE 86 Nakia Griffin-Stewart  So WR 87 Prince Taylor  Fr TE 88 Jerome Washington Jr TE 89 Travis Vokolek Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 2 Kiy Hester  Jr LB 3 Olakunle Fatukasi Fr DB 4 Tre Avery  Fr LB 6 Deonte Roberts Jr DL 7 Elorm Lumor  Fr LB 8 Tyshon Fogg Fr DB 9 Saquan Hampton  Jr DB 10 Blessuan Austin Jr DB 11 Isaiah Wharton  Jr DL 14 Solomon Manning  Fr LB 15 Trevor Morris Jr DB 16 Jelani Garvin So DB 17 K. J. Gray So LB 21 Ross Douglas  Sr DB 22 Damon Hayes So DB 24 Naijee Jones Fr LB 25 Syhiem Simmons Fr LB 26 C. J. Onyechi Fr DB 27 Kobe Marfo Jr DB 29 Lawrence Stevens  Fr DB 31 Edwin Lopez Fr DB 32 Rani Abdulaziz Fr DB 33 Tim Barrow Fr DB 34 Parker Day Fr LB 35 Eric Margolis  Jr LB 36 T. J. Taylor  Sr DB 37 Zane Campbell  Sr LB 44 Tyreek Maddox-Williams So DB 46 Davante McDuffie Sr LB 49 Brandon Russell  Jr DL 50 Julius Turner  Fr DL 51 Sebastian Joseph-Day  Sr DL 53 Brendan Bordner Fr LB 55 Austin Rosa  So LB 56 Rashawn Battle  Fr DL 57 Joahne Duggan Fr DL 58 Kemoko Turay  Sr DL 59 Darnell Davis  Sr DL 91 Tijuan Mason Fr DL 92 Eric Wiafe  Jr DL 93 Jason Griggs  Fr DL 95 Jon Bateky Jr DL 96 Willington Previlon  So DL 97 Mike Tverdov Fr DL 98 Jimmy Hogan  Jr DL 99 Kevin Wilkins  Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class LS 47 Bill Taylor Fr LS 62 Matthew Sportelli  Fr LS 85 Alan Lucy Sr P 94 Michael Cintron  Jr K 95 Justin Davidovicz Fr P 96 Ryan Anderson  Sr PK 97 Andrew Harte  Sr PK 98 David Bonagura  Sr P 99 Gavin Haggerty  So	Head coach Chris Ash Coordinators/assistant coaches Jerry Kill (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) Jay Nieman (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Vince Okruch (special teams coordinator/tight ends) A. J. Blazek (assistant head coach/offensive line) Shane Burnham (defensive line) Bill Busch (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs) Henry Baker (cornerbacks) Lester Erb (running backs) Jafar Williams (wide receivers) Kenny Parker (head strength and conditioning) Mason Judd (defensive assistant) David Galante (offensive assistant) Mark Rosenbaum (offensive assistant) Anthony Van Curen (defensive assistant) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: August 17, 2017

Players in the 2018 NFL Draft

See also: 2018 NFL draft

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
Kemoko Turay	DE	2	52	Indianapolis Colts
Sebastian Joseph-Day	DT	6	195	Los Angeles Rams