Category: Knights in the NFL

Former Rutgers football defensive back Logan Ryan retires from NFL

Logan Ryan, a former Rutgers defensive back, has retired from the NFL.

On Tuesday morning, former Scarlet Knight and two-time Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan announced that he was retiring from the NFL. During his 11-year career, Ryan played for the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.

After a strong collegiate career with Rutgers, Ryan was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He quickly became an essential piece of the New England secondary, recording five interceptions and 29 tackles in his rookie season. During his time as a Patriot, Ryan was part of two championship teams.

While Ryan was an effective player for the Patriots, his New England tenure came to an end after the 2016 season. He then spent three years with the Titans and picked off Tom Brady’s last pass as a Patriot. Over the last few years, the 33-year-old has been a veteran presence on playoff teams.

Logan Ryan was a 🐶

In 2019, Ryan ranked 1st among all cornerbacks with 113 tackles.

He also had 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles.

Ryan was rewarded by his peers being ranked one of the top 100 players in the @NFL. pic.twitter.com/3QmwvB7Mk0

— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) April 9, 2024

As Ryan prepares for life after football, he leaves behind an impactful career. In 154 games, Ryan recorded 755 total tackles and 19 interceptions. He also had 13 career sacks.

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After Ryan broke the news on social media, tributes from teams he played for, such as the Patriots, poured in, showing how well he was regarded in the sport.

Former Rutgers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day signs with Tennessee Titans

For the first time in his career, Sebastian Joseph-Day will not be playing for a team based on the West Coast. #Rutgers

Following a brief free agent tour, former Rutgers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day has a new home. On Tuesday, Sebastian Joseph-Day and the Tennessee Titans agreed on a one-year deal, according to NFL Networks Jason McCourty. It marks the first time in his NFL career that the former sixth-round pick will not play for a California-based team.

Joseph-Day was a sixth-round pick out of Rutgers in the 2018 NFL draft.

Since making his NFL debut in 2019, Joseph-Day has appeared in 71 games and recorded 230 total tackles. In that span, he has added 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries to his resume. Regardless of the team, he has been a solid contributor.

After spending three seasons as a Los Angeles Ram, Joseph-Day switched zip codes in 2022 and joined the Los Angeles Chargers. Last season, he continued his tour of the Golden State, appearing in 14 games with the Chargers and two with the San Francisco 49ers.

 

 

On a Titans team with high expectations, the 28-year-old will be a valuable veteran piece. Joseph-Day has appeared in six playoff games and recorded 14 total tackles in the postseason. He recorded two solo tackles in three games for the 49ers last season.

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While the Titans’ roster is mostly set, the addition of Joseph-Day adds needed depth. Their list of offseason acquisitions includes Calvin Ridley, who was the top wide receiver in free agency.

With Joseph-Day in the mix, the Titans have added another talented player to a roster with championship aspirations.

Rutgers football in the NFL: Michael Burton re-signs with the Denver Broncos

Former Rutgers football fullback Michael Burton is re-signed by the Denver Broncos.

On the second day of NFL free agency, fullback Michael Burton re-signed with the Denver Broncos. He was a fifth round pick in the 2015 NFL draft out of Rutgers.

Burton had 17 total yards last season. The former Rutgers standout participated in 189 offensive snaps last year with the Broncos, more than he had the previous two seasons, combined.

He was in for the Broncos on 18 percent of all offensive snaps.

His 290 special team snaps were the most in his career. Last year was his first with the Broncos. Previously, Burton spent two years with the Kansas City Chiefs where he won Super Bowl LVII.

Burton played his high school football at West Morris (Chester, New Jersey). He was part of Rutgers football’s 2010 recruiting class and joined the program as a Preferred Walk On (PWO).

News of Burton’s new contract was broken by Jason McCourty of the NFL Network. McCourty, a former All-Big East defensive back at Rutgers), and Burton are both represented by powerful agent Kevin Malast (who also is a former Rutgers standout).

 

He had an offer list that included Lehigh, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire and Towson among others.

Burton’s play at fullback is valuable in the Broncos’ offensive scheme under head coach Sean Payton.

In his career, he has 202 yards of total offense from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

Former Scarlet Knight Gus Edwards signed a two-year deal with the LA Chargers

On Monday, former Rutgers running back Gus Edwards signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

On Monday, former Rutgers running back Gus Edwards signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. After playing five seasons with John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens, Edwards will join John’s brother Jim on the West Coast in 2024.

Edwards started his career at Miami before transferring in 2017 for his final season of eligibility. He was a standout at Rutgers, earning All-Big Ten honors in his lone season with the program.

The report has Edwards signing a two-year deal with the Chargers.

Also, the former-Scarlet Knight will be reunited with former Ravens and current Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Los Angeles. Edwards should transition easily to the Chargers’ offense under Roman, who held the same position in Baltimore from 2019-2022.

With former Charger running back Austin Ekeler signing a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders, Edwards can finally have the chance to be a lead back in the NFL.

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In the past five seasons with the Ravens, Edwards has recorded 699 carries for 3,395 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Also, the 6-foot-1, 238-pound running back added 30 receptions for 374 yards through the air.

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Edwards appeared in 69 games for Baltimore with his best season coming in 2023. Last season, the former Scarlet Knight logged 198 carries for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 games, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt.

 

Former Rutgers star Jonah Jackson signs three-year deal with Rams

Former Rutgers football offensive lineman Jonah Jackson signs with the Los Angeles Rams.

On Monday afternoon, the Los Angeles Rams upgraded their offensive line with the addition of Jonah Jackson. The former Rutgers star and the Rams agreed on a three-year, $51 million contract, with $34 million guaranteed. Jackson has been an important part of the Detroit Lions offensive line the last few years.

Jackson played for Rutgers from 2015-18. He transferred for his final season to play for Ohio State.

Los Angeles is getting a talented guard with a bright future in Jackson. His resume includes one Pro Bowl appearance, which came in 2021. The Big Ten product was a model of consistency that season, starting all 16 games.

Jackson, a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, started 12 games for Detroit last year and both of the Lions’ playoff games. He will now head to LA to block for Matthew Stafford, who was his teammate during his rookie year.

In college, Jackson was a two-year starter for Rutgers before transferring to Ohio State. At Rutgers, the Media, Pennsylvania native earned first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American honors.

 

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While the Rams improved a vital part of the roster, they are far from done. On Monday, they also signed tight end Colby Parkinson to a three-year deal. With Jackson and Parkinson in the mix, the Rams’ offense has gotten better.

Rutgers football at the NFL combine: How did Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton react to his brother Max Melton’s 40 time?

Bo Melton reacts to his brother’s NFL combine time.

Bo Melton responded to his brother Max Melton’s performance at the NFL combine last week with plenty of family pride. Max Melton, a former standout at Rutgers and an All-Big Ten selection, saw his 40 time at the NFL combine finish among the best cornerbacks who were invited to participate.

From his performance, Max Melton certainly opened some eyes and likely made a significant move up the NFL draft board. His film with Rutgers combined with the numbers from the last week might have him as high as the second round.

Bo Melton is coming off a strong season with the Green Bay Packers, one that included a touchdown catch against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs. His little brother certainly opened some eyes with his performance at the NFL combine where he was among the best-tested athletes, regardless of position.

Last season for Rutgers, Max Melton had 32 total tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended. His strong performance earned him All-Big Ten honors and was a major reason why Rutgers finished bowl-eligible.

At the NFL combine, Max Melton turned some heads with his workouts:

  • His 4.39 time was sixth among cornerbacks at the NFL combine.
  • His 40.50-inch vertical was fourth among cornerbacks at the NFL combine.
  • His 11.4-inch vertical was first among cornerbacks at the NFL combine.

His older brother weighed in with nothing but pride:

 

As for Bo Melton, this is projected to be a big year for the former Rutgers wide receiver.

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Picked up the Packers late in the season, he finished with 18 catches for 244 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He was a 2022 NFL draft pick, selected on Day 3 by the Seattle Seahawks.

 

Former Rutgers defensive back Max Melton at the NFL combine: ‘Keep chopping, you’re going to get the result’

Max Melton talks about how Rutgers football helped prepare him for the NFL.

Max Melton is the lone representative for Rutgers football at the NFL Combine, but there were no shortage of questions about the role the Big Ten program played in his development.

A likely Day 2 pick in April’s NFL draft, Melton opted not to return for his final season of college football. He is coming off a strong final season at Rutgers where he flashed his ability to be a lockdown cornerback.

He finished the 2023 season with 32 total tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended. He was an All-Big Ten selection as well.

It was an impressive final year at Rutgers for Melton, who had to overcome some early-season injuries.

On Thursday, Melton met with reporters at the NFL combine where he was asked a series of questions about playing at Rutgers.

“I meet a team, they’re like ‘You’re a Rutgers guy, you know football.’ I’m like ‘Sure enough, I definitely do know football’ I feel like the physical attributes mixed with the mental preparation, mix that all together, you’re going to have a good result on game day,” Melton told reporters at the NFL combine.

Melton played four year at Rutgers, the last three as a starter. He was the first player to commit to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano as part of the 2020 recruiting class.

 

A three-star defensive back, he had originally been committed to Purdue.

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He said that his four seasons at Rutgers has helped instill a certain mentality to his game that can and will help him at the next level. In answering a question about his work ethic, Melton told reporters at the combine that the Rutgers mantra of ‘CHOP’ is a key component to his mindset.

“CHOP. Mental, and physical toughness. Preparation. Yea, that’s CHOP for sure. We CHOP every play. Goes good, goes bad, you got to CHOP,” Melton said.

“Keep chopping, you’re going to get the result.”

A big benefit for the NFL draft hopeful is that his older brother has spent the past two years in the league. Bo Melton had a breakout final month of the 2023 season for the Green Bay Packers, including scoring a touchdown in the NFL playoffs.

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The touchdown came in the NFC Divisional round at the San Francisco 49ers.

Little brother saw the play happen and couldn’t control himself.

“I was at home. I threw the phone across the room, I ran across the room,” Melton said.

“I promise. I was delighted. That’s my brother.

“It was actually against my team, the 49ers are my team. It was a win-win for me. I love my brother for sure.”

In his final seven games of the season, including the playoffs, Bo Melton finished with 18 catches for 244 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

He was a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL draft. Bo Melton also played his college football in the Big Ten at Rutgers.

(h/t to Ric Serritella of All Access Football for the video)

Watch: Isiah Pacheco shows off his dance moves celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win

Isiah Pacheco celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win.

Isiah Pacheco got down in the locker room following the Kansas City Chiefs’ overtime Super Bowl win. The former Rutgers football running back showed off some dance moves in the aftermath of the Chiefs 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers.

A seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, Pacheco made NFL history on Sunday with the Chiefs. He became the first starting running back in NFL history to begin his career with two Super Bowl wins in his first two seasons.

Pacheco finished the game with 59 rushing yards on 18 carries. In addition, he had six receptions for 33 yards.

He did not score a touchdown in the game, ending his own impressive streak of getting into the endzone. Pacheco came into the game with three straight touchdowns in the NFL playoffs, part of a longer streak of seven games where he had either a rushing or receiving touchdown.

Check out this locker room celebration from Pacheco with his Chiefs teammates:

 

Pacheco is wearing the Puerto Rican flag, showing off his heritage.

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At Rutgers, Pacheco was an All-Big Ten caliber running back. Last season as a rookie, he won the Chiefs’ starting running back job by midseason.

In the Super Bowl last year, Pacheco scored a touchdown in the second quarter to key the Chiefs’ comeback win.

Watch: Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco makes Super Bowl history

Isiah Pacheco made Super Bowl history on Sunday.

Isiah Pacheco has made NFL history, becoming the first starting running back to record two Super Bowl wins in his first two seasons in the league. On Sunday night, Pacheco and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime with the former Rutgers football running back helping his team.

The win now makes Isiah Pacheco two-for-two in the Super Bowl to start his NFL career.

A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Pacheco came into the game with three straight touchdowns in the NFL playoffs, part of a longer streak of seven games where he had either a rushing or receiving touchdown.

Pacheco finished the game with 59 rushing yards on 18 carries. He also had six receptions for 33 yards as the Chiefs rallied in the second half to capture the franchise’s third Super Bowl.

Following the game, Pacheco reacted to his second Super Bowl win with the broadcast team from CBS:

 

Earlier in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Pacheco had some funny moments with the ‘Blue Man Group.’ He also talked about his showdown with the 49ers Christian McCaffrey.

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Scroll down and check out the best photos of Isiah Pacheco as the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl!

BC hires former Penn State head coach following Jeff Haley departure

Bill O’Brien is the new head coach at Boston College.

Over the last few weeks, BC football’s coaching staff has undergone significant changes. The Eagles have a new head coach in Bill O’Brien after Jeff Hafley joined the Green Bay Packers as the defensive coordinator.

While BC will be turning the page on the Hafley era after four years, it was an overall successful run. Now, there will be high expectations for O’Brien to take the program to the next level.

Most recently, O’Brien was hired last month to be offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

With Hafley calling the shots, BC posted a 22-26 record, including a 7-6 mark this season. Under the former Rutgers assistant coach, the Eagles recorded a bowl win this year with a win over SMU in the Fenway Bowl. O’Brien will now be tasked with building on Hafley’s success.

 

In O’Brien, BC has brought in a coach with plenty of experience. During his career, he has spent some time in the NFL as the Patriots offensive coordinator. He was also the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014-2020. After an 0-3 start in 2020, O’Brien was let go. The Texans posted a 52-48 record during his tenure and won two playoff games.

However, O’Brien is no stranger to college football and the Big Ten. He was the head coach at Penn State from 2012-2013. During his first season in Happy Valley, O’Brien was named Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading the Nittany Lions to eight wins. That was the most wins by a first-year head coach in school history. He finished with a 15-9 record before returning to the NFL.

Although O’Brien has a busy few months ahead, he brings valuable experience to Chestnut Hill.