Watch: Former Rutgers offensive lineman Marcus Applefield coaching at the US Army regional combine

Former Rutgers football offensive lineman Marcus Applefield is coaching for the US Army Bowl Combine Series.

Marcus Applefield, a former Rutgers football offensive lineman, took his turn on the combine coaching circuit over the weekend.

Applefield coached the offensive line at the US Army Bowl National Combine Series in Orlando, Florida over the weekend. Applefield, who transferred to Virginia following his time at Rutgers, played in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.

He currently owns and operates a training facility in Pasco County, Florida.

Applefield was a multi-year starter at Rutgers. As a recruit, . he was ranked as a three-star by Rivals. His offer list included Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Purdue, Syracuse and Virginia as well as Rutgers.

Applefield posted on social media about his weekend coaching at the combine:

 

The US Army Bowl is held annually in Frisco, Texas (not to be confused with the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas). It includes a bowl game as well as a week’s worth of events.

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Among these events is the National High School Combine at the US Army Bowl.

Former Rutgers assistant joins a Big Ten rival

Damian Wroblewski, a former Rutgers assistant, joins a new program in the Big Ten.

Damian Wroblewski, a former Rutgers football assistant coach, has joined the staff of fellow Big Ten program Maryland.

Wroblewski spent two years at Rutgers as their offensive line coach from 2012-13. He is joining Maryland to serve in the same role.

After his time at Rutgers, Wroblewski went to Elon and then joined James Madison in 2019, where he was their offensive line coach and associate head coach.

With the departure of Curt Cignetti to take over Indiana, it was Wroblewski who served as the interim head coach for the Armed Services Bowl. Air Force won the bowl game, 31-21

Pete Thamel broke the news of Wroblewski joining Maryland this weekend:

 

Wroblewski did not follow Cignetti to Indiana. He decided to retain the current offensive line coach there, Bob Bostad.

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There is a Rutgers connection with Bostad. It was Bostad who was the offensive line coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Greg Schiano was the NFL team’s head coach.

Schiano just completed his fourth season back with Rutgers, leading the Scarlet Knights to a 7-6 record and a win in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.

Where does Rutgers football slot in for the updated Big Ten power rankings?

Rutgers football is in a solid spot in the Athlon Sports preseason rankings.

There is nothing quite like power rankings to fill that void when the news cycle hits a lull. Need content? Create some power rankings for the Big Ten!

Thankfully, Athlon Sports did that earlier this month, unveiling an updated power rankings for the Big Ten. This includes what has to be said is a rather fair ranking for Rutgers.

While putting Ohio State (and then Oregon) as the top two teams in the Big Ten, Rutgers was given a very fair shake by Athlon Sports and even a measure of respect. Last year, the Scarlet Knights finished the season 7-6 and won the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl over Miami.

This year, in the expanded Big Ten, Rutgers is checking in middle-of-the-pack in the Athlon pre-spring Big Ten Power rankings. Athlon has Rutgers at No. 10 in the Big Ten:

“The Scarlet Knights return four starters up front and underrated running back Kyle Monangai. Can the passing game take a step forward with Gavin Wimsatt or Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis under center?”

Being placed tenth in the rankings by Athlon is probably pretty fair. Rutgers is good enough to win three or four conference games this season and could once again potentially sweep the out-of-conference schedule. That Week 3 game at Virginia Tech, much like it was last year, could well decide the direction of the season.

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Athlon praised the defense and the job done by head coach Greg Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak with the unit.

Can Rutgers football slow down Virginia Tech’s offensive momentum in 2024?

On September 21, Rutgers football will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to slow down Virginia Tech’s creative and explosive offense.

For Rutgers football, their Week 3 match-up at Virginia Tech is likely to be a make-or-break game for their season. A win at the Hokies, much like this past year, and Rutgers has the chance to be bowl-eligible. But there is some hype around Virginia Tech’s football team heading into 2024 with the Hokies returning several key pieces on their offense from last season.

Virginia Tech’s quarterback Kyron Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten, and wide receivers Ali Jennings, Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, and Jaylin Lane will all return in 2024. This is quite an array of offensive talent.

Athlon Sports recently placed Virginia Tech as sixth in their ACC Power Rankings. They hyped up the offense in their latest power rankings update:

“Can the Hokies build off last season’s strong finish? This unit averaged 33.5 points a game in November – largely fueled by the emergence of quarterback Kyron Drones – and posted 41 in the bowl victory over Tulane.”

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The Scarlet Knights and the Hokies faced off last season with Rutgers defeating Virginia Tech 35-16. Rutgers’ 2023 victory was the first time since 1992 that the Scarlet Knights defeated the Hokies, breaking a 12-game skid in the series.

Drones recorded 84 yards on 22 attempts, averaging 3.4 yards per carry in his first collegiate start. The redshirt junior added 19 completions on 32 attempts for 190 yards with one touchdown and an interception in a losing effort.

The Scarlet Knights will try to make it consecutive winning seasons as they prepare to face a creative and explosive Virginia Tech offense. Rutgers finished the 2023 season as the No. 7 ranked defense within the Big Ten Conference and with many key pieces returning the Scarlet Knights’ defense will continue to stay strong in 2024.

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Kyle Monangai answers the big question of this offseason: Would he win a dance-off with Isiah Pacheco?

Kyle Monangai of Rutgers football talks dancing.

PARSIPPANY, N.J — What is it about running backs and dancing? The touchdown dance moves of running back Isiah Pacheco, well-known to Rutgers fans, have taken over the NFL over the past two years.

And now it is Kyle Monangai gaining notoriety for his post-game dance celebrations.

Rutgers running backs just seem to love busting a move. And Monangai, the leading rusher in the Big Ten last year, certainly made waves with his dancing.

Last month, after a long interview where he was asked numerous questions about his season and the success of Rutgers football, Monangai was asked about his dancing.

Specifically, the question was: Who would win a dance battle between [autotag]Kyle Monangai [/autotag]and [autotag]Isiah Pacheco[/autotag]?

“I honestly have not been dancing recently as much but you know, Pop dance is what it feels like every day,” Monangai told Rutgers Wire. “So he probably has me right now. But if I started dancing again, I don’t know I might have him.”

Well, that is nice and all that, but who would win right here, right now?

“It’s 50-50, you might have to see who woke up better that day,” Monangai said.

All kidding aside, Rutgers fans love to see Monangai cutting up the rug as it usually means a touchdown or a Scarlet Knights win. He spoke in mid-February at an NIL event, the Morris County Card Show, where he signed autographs for fans.

 

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As for his ability to get jiggy wit it, the dance moves come naturally for Monangai, but they always come with emotion.

He remembers growing up and dancing, something that he says is very much engrained in who he is.

“I’ve been dancing since I was young. I think it is a Jersey thing,” Monangai said.

“I think me and Pop grew up dancing, it is something we love doing. It is something that I carry into adulthood and now. It is something that is in him, something that is in me. Something that we love to do.”

Pacheco had plenty to dance about this past season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The former All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers now has two Super Bowl rings in as many years in the NFL.

He scored a touchdown in each Chiefs’ NFL playoff game leading up to the Super Bowl. He had 935 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season.

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In the 2022 NFL draft, Pacheco was a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers. He won the starting running back job with the Chiefs midway through the regular season of his rookie year.

He scored a second-quarter touchdown in the Super Bowl to cap off his rookie year with the Chiefs.

Scroll down and check out the best photos from Kyle Monangai’s season with Rutgers football, one where the running back led the Big Ten in rushing!

Pro Football Focus ranks former Rutgers standout Max Melton as a riser in the NFL draft

With the 2024 NFL Scouting combine completed, Rutgers football Max Melton is one of the biggest risers on PFF’s Big Board. 

With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine completed, Rutgers football Max Melton is one of the biggest risers on PFF’s Big Board.

Last season, Melton was an All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers.

The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback has had a fantastic draft season following multiple measurements and testing results. He showcased versatile coverage ability as an outside and slot corner at the Senior Bowl while showing his elite athleticism in Indianapolis.

Last week during the NFL combine, Melton led all cornerbacks with an 11-foot-4 broad jump. He also ranked third in the vertical with 40.5 inches.

A 4.39-second 40-yard dash, however, is what really created some buzz last week for Melton at the combine.

According to PFF’s Big Board, the former Scarlet Knight is ranked No. 99 overall and No. 14 ranked cornerback on the board after the conclusion of the NFL combine.

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In four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Melton has recorded 114 total tackles, eight interceptions, 30 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries in 43 games.

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There is a good chance that Melton is a Day 2 selection in April’s NFL draft.

 

Rutgers football in the NFL: Max Melton gets praised for his NFL combine workout by CBS Sports

Max Melton is getting some national praise for his NFL combine showing.

Max Melton is generating some very good buzz following his performance last week at the NFL combine. The former Rutgers football defensive back certainly helped his draft stock.

His last season at Rutgers saw Melton finish with 32 total tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended. He was an All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention) as a senior.

Emory Hunt, one of the few people in the business who analyzes and doesn’t yell his opinion, praised Melton’s performance last week at the NFL combine.

In Indianapolis, he ran a 4.39 time (tied for sixth among all cornerbacks). His 11.4-inch broad jump was the longest among any cornerbacks.

“But it matches what he does on tape,” Hunt said yesterday on CBS Sports HQ.

“And I think Melton is someone who is active around the ball, has great ball skills, can quickly close and keep that space tight between him and the receiver. Definitely going to be someone who is going to go mid-round and be a starter by season’s end.”

It is solid praise from Hunt, who highlighted Melton as one of the players who made an impression during the NFL combine.

 

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With his performance at the NFL combine, Melton is likely a Day 2 pick or a very early Day 3 selection in April’s NFL draft.

Maryland defensive lineman Elijah Crawford talks about his recent Rutgers football offer: ‘It’s a great honor’

Elijah Crawford is impressed with Rutgers after his offer last week.

It is early in the process for Maryland defensive lineman Elijah Crawford, but he says that things are going well with Rutgers football.

For Crawford, who was offered by Rutgers last week, the next step is to take a visit to the Big Ten program this spring.

Physically impressive,  the class of 2025 prospect is 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds. He lines up as an interior defensive lineman for McDonogh (Owings Mills, Maryland).

As a junior, Crawford finished his nine games played with 39 total tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks.

So far, Crawford has registered offers from Indiana, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and West Virginia in a recruitment that is likely to continue progressing.

The Rutgers offer has Crawford continuing to learn more about the program. But so far, he likes what he has seen so far from the coaching staff.

“I’m really excited about it, they’re one of the best schools in the nation – first academically but also athletic-wise,” Crawford told Rutgers Wire.

“So it’s a great honor to be in the position that I’m in and to have an opportunity to go to such a prestigious place.”

Prior to his midweek offer, Crawford has been getting to know defensive line coach Colin Ferrell.

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Ferrell was hired in February after being a defensive line coach at Akron, where he was a standout defensive lineman. After college, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’ve been talking to their d-line coach, coach Ferrell, and we’ve just talked about their values and core beliefs and just what sets them apart from a lot of these other schools and that led to me getting on the phone and talking to the head coach, coach Schiano,” Crawford said.

“And we talked about how Rutgers has a different identity from a lot of schools in the way that they help their players grow as athletes but more importantly as men. And how he believes that I have the qualities and values that they want at Rutgers so he offered me a scholarship.”

Following the offer, Crawford has been actively learning about Rutgers. He’s hoping that a spring visit can be made.

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“After getting the offer, I’ve started to do some research on the program and it’s been really good just seeing them continuously getting better and better each year,” Crawford said.

“No (visit) date set yet but I’d like to get up there for a spring practice and if all goes well, then an official.”

Mad Max: Watch Rutgers football defensive back Max Melton’s impressive 40 at the NFL combine

Max Melton impressed on Friday at the NFL combine.

Max Melton did more than just solidify his NFL draft stock on Friday. The former Rutgers football standout may have moved himself up firmly into Day 2 with a very strong showing during his workout.

In particular, Melton’s 4.39 time in the 40 was impressive. It was a top 10 time among defensive backs at the NFL combine.

A multi-year starter and an All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers, Melton had 32 total tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended in 2023. He also had a 40.5 inch vertical which was top six for a defensive back.

He measured in at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds at the combine.

In running the 40, Melton looked fluid and smooth:

 

On Thursday, Melton was asked about playing for Rutgers and how it prepared him for the NFL draft process. He said the Big Ten program has a good reputation among the teams he spoke with at the NFL combine:

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“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.

(h/t to Ric Serritella of All Access Football for the video of Melton talking about his experience at Rutgers football)

Did Rutgers make the cut in Michael Thomas III’s top five?

Michael Thomas III cuts down his list to five schools.

One of New Jersey’s top recruits, Michael Thomas III, dropped his top five on Friday. And for Rutgers football, there was some good news in the announcement.

Thomas, despite being one of New Jersey’s top-ranked recruits, is vastly underrated as a prospect. A four-star wide receiver out of Donovan Catholic (Barnegat, New Jersey), Thomas is a top-three recruit in New Jersey according to ESPN and 247Sports.

ESPN ranks him as the tenth-best wide receiver in the nation.

He is electric with the ball in his hands, with 38 catches for 458 yards and five receiving touchdowns last season. In addition, he also ran for 341 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.

With game-changing speed, Thomas is perhaps most impressive in his ability to rise up and make contested catches. He plays much bigger than his listed 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds.

His Friday afternoon announcement had a cutdown to Illinois, Rutgers, Syracuse, Penn State and Boston College.

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The 2025 recruiting class for Rutgers currently stands at three recruits. In February, Rutgers received commitments from three-star linebacker [autotag]Talibi Kaba[/autotag] and three-star offensive lineman [autotag]Jayden Elijah[/autotag].

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The duo of Kaba and Elijah are top 15 recruits in New Jersey’s 2025 class.