Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Rutgers is ranked 68th nationally in ESPN’s 2026 Football Power Index, projecting a 6-6 or 5-7 season, but with a solid 62.3% chance of making a bowl game — and just a 2.8% shot at Big Ten glory. While behind Ohio State and Michigan, they’re ahead of Michigan State and Minnesota, and their manageable schedule (85th toughest nationally) gives them a real shot at bowl eligibility. New recruits like...

Rutgers starts the season ranked 67th nationally and last in the Big Ten — but don’t write them off. Their negative FPI suggests a below-average team, but new defensive coaches, a loaded transfer class, and key returning stars like KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond point to serious upside. With a solid foundation and plenty of room to grow, the Scarlet Knights could surprise everyone this fall. Listen in...

Rutgers hits the road for a high-stakes Friday night showdown against Boston College on ESPN2, September 11 — the 25th anniversary of 9/11, when BC honors Welles Crowther with their Red Bandanna Game. This non-conference clash is Rutgers’ final tune-up before Big Ten play, and it reignites old Big East rivalries. BC holds the all-time series edge, but Rutgers pulled off a stunning 22-21 comeback w...

Rutgers dominates the spotlight as they prepare to crush UMass in their 2026 season opener on Thursday, June 3rd at 6 PM — a mismatch that’s already written in the books. UMass, reeling from a winless campaign, is trying to rebuild under new head coach Joe Harasymiak, who’s inheriting a QB carousel (AJ Hairston and his backup both gone), a shaky running back corps, and a defense missing its sack l...

A beloved Rutgers football captain and former NFL practice squad player, Jamil Merrell, has passed away at 36. A standout defensive end from 2009–2013, Jamil also played in the Arena Football League and left a lasting legacy of strength, truth, and courage. His brother Jamal honored him as a warrior who gave everything, calling heaven lucky to have him. The cause of death remains private as the fa...

Rutgers football mourns the loss of beloved former captain Jamil Merrell, who passed away at 36 after a storied college career and impactful post-playing life as a mentor and coach. A versatile standout from 2009–2013, he led the defense with 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his best season, helping the Scarlet Knights through conference transitions. After brief stints with the Brooklyn Bolts, Chicago...

Rutgers football is heating up the recruiting trail, jumping to 10 in the Big Ten for the 2026 class with 24 commitments and over 221 points. The big win? Four-star running back Aiden Gibson, who flipped from Penn State and reclassified to 2026 — now the highest-rated recruit in the class. At 6’1”, 212 lbs, Gibson is a top-tier back nationally and the fifth four-star for Rutgers in 2026. With a ba...

The Rutgers football community is heartbroken after the sudden passing of Jamil Merrell, a beloved former captain and fierce competitor who died at 36. His twin brother Jamal revealed Jamil died peacefully surrounded by family, calling him a warrior who lived boldly and loved deeply. A standout player from 2011-2013, Jamil racked up 79 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. After college, he...

Rutgers football’s 2026 season looks bleak according to CBS analyst Brad Crawford, who projects just four wins and eight losses—with only one expected conference win. While playmakers like KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond can spark excitement, the team’s struggles in the trenches and lack of depth make consistent wins nearly impossible against the Big Ten’s toughest schedule. A four-win season could be...

Rutgers just pulled off a massive recruiting coup by landing four-star running back Aiden Gibson, who flipped his commitment from Penn State and is reclassifying to join the Scarlet Knights in 2026 — arriving a year early. Once ranked the eighth-best running back nationally for 2027, Gibson’s decision was driven by his deep connection with RB coach Damiere Shaw and the program’s family culture. Hi...

This year’s Red Bandanna Game on September 11 honors Welles Crowther, a BC alum and 9/11 hero who embodied the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others — a day that carries deep meaning as Boston College takes on Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights enter with a QB battle between junior AJ Surace and transfer Dylan Lonergan, the latter a former BC QB who could ignite a raucous crowd. Rutgers’ offens...

Aiden Gibson, a four-star running back and former Penn State commit, has flipped to Rutgers and plans to reclassify, joining the Scarlet Knights this August. His departure marks the fourth decommitment in Penn State’s 2027 class and the eighth overall since 2025 — a troubling sign for a program that lost another top recruit, Khalil Taylor, just a day before. Gibson, who called Penn State “RBU” and...

Rutgers just pulled off a massive recruiting coup, snagging four-star running back Aiden Gibson—originally headed to Penn State in 2027—now enrolling early for the 2026 season. Ranked No. 8 among RBs and No. 142 overall in the 2027 class, Gibson is Rutgers’ highest-ranked recruit for that year and arrives sooner than expected. Having visited Rutgers before committing elsewhere, Gibson’s flip speak...

Rutgers football’s 2026 schedule just dropped and it’s packed with fireworks, traditions, and unforgettable vibes—seven home games each with its own flavor, from Homecoming vs. national champs Indiana to Halloween showdowns with Michigan. Kickoff hits early with UMass and a Youth Sports Knight celebration, while special days honor New Jersey, the military, and even Sir Henry’s legacy. Mark your ca...