Four Scarlet Knights make Phil Steele preseason All- Big Ten list

Four Rutgers players make the Phil Steele All-Big Ten team.

With football season quickly approaching, anticipation is building for what the fall will bring. On Monday, Rutgers football earned special recognition as four players were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten teams list.

The list includes DB Max Melton earning second-team honors, LB Deion Jennings earning third-team honors, and both DL Mayan Ahanotu and LB Tyreem Powel earning fourth-team honors. This group will play a critical role in Rutgers success in 2023, starting with Melton, who is entering his junior year. 

Melton was a force on defense and special teams during the 2022 campaign. He added ten pass breakups to his resume while leading the nation in blocked punts with three. He also ranked seventh in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (1.0) while appearing in all 12 games.

Like Melton, Jennings created problems for opponents every time he stepped on the field. The talented linebacker recorded a team-high 91 tackles, 8.5 of which were for a loss. He also had six pass breakups. Due to his play, Jennings won the Homer Hazel Award as the team’s most valuable player.

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Just like in years past, Ahanotu was a model of consistency. He has played in 34 straight games and totaled 39 tackles in that span. As Ahanotu continued to be a reliable presence on the defensive line, he was named a team captain in 2022.

Rounding out the list is Powell, who had four pass breakups in 12 games last year. The New Jersey also recorded 71 tackles, including six for a loss. As the talented linebacker saw an increase in playing time, he made the most of his opportunities.

During the 2023 campaign, wins will not come easy for Rutgers. They have one of the most challenging schedules in college football. However, with this talented quartet back for another season, the Scarlet Knights should be an intriguing team to watch.

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