Tag: Joe Harasymiak

‘I ended up trying to run here!’ How Julian Campenni joined Rutgers football

Julian Campenni said he was ready to run for this opportunity with Rutgers football.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Julian Campenni comes to Rutgers football this offseason with plenty of experience and upside. But when the opportunity to join the Big Ten program came along, there was no hesitation on the part of the now Rutgers defensive end coach’s mind to take the job.

Campenni joins defensive line coach Colin Ferrel as the new additions to the Rutgers football staff this offseason. Both hires by head coach Greg Schiano saw Rutgers dip into the MAC to find energetic, enthusiastic coaches brimming with potential.

The duo replaces [autotag]Marquise Watson[/autotag], who was sidelined last year for personal reasons.

Campenni comes to Rutgers following five years at Bowling Green, a program that is very solid defensively in the MAC. He has ties to the area having played his high school football in Pennsylvania and then in college at UConn where he was an All-American Athletic Conference selection.

The opportunity to work on Schiano’s staff stood out to Campenni as an important next step in his career.

“What happened with coach ‘Quise last year was very sad – and I didn’t know coach ‘Quise…I met him when I got here a couple of times but just hearing from everybody in the building about the type of dude he is – he’s a great person and someone obviously we’re still thinking about and praying for,” Campenni said on Tuesday.

“When I heard about this opportunity – to me it was a no brainer. To come back closer to home…to be in my opinion in the best conference in college football and work for a guy like coach Schiano and coach Harasymiak (defensive coordinator Joe Hrasymiak) and this staff. I ended up trying to run here as fast as I could. So it’s been great. I’m fortunate enough to be able to get an opportunity to be here and work with these kids and the staff.”

As he settles into life at Rutgers and in the Big Ten, Campenni said that he has taken note of Harasymiak.

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Now in his third year at Rutgers, Harasymiak is one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation. Known for his attention to detail, Harasymiak has left a definite impression on the defensive ends coach.

“He’s elite. He’s elite at what he does. Everything he does is the best so I kind of just match him,” Campenni said.

“He sets the tone defensively as a defensive staff of the expectations and he makes it really easy to just fall in line and, and do that, so he’s awesome. I mean, he brings it every day and he makes it easy for us.”

Rutgers football recruiting: Ohio linebacker Grant Beerman is offered

Rutgers football offers Ohio linebacker Grant Beerman on Tuesday night.

Grant Beerman was offered by Rutgers football on Tuesday, marking yet another Power Five offer for the Ohio linebacker.

The offer was made on Tuesday night while on a call with Rutgers head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag] and defensive coordinator [autotag]Joe Harasymiak[/autotag].

Beerman plays for Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), a powerhouse program in the state. Last year, the Firebirds finished 11-2 while winning the Greater Miami Conference with an 8-0 record.

Ranked the No. 28 player in Ohio by Rivals, Beerman is a solid 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.

He has a strong Power Five offer list that includes Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Virginia and West Virginia among others.

Beerman is a strong, physical presence who could play as an edge at the next level. He moves well but it is his ability to shed blocks and get into the backfield that is very noticeable.

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On Tuesday night, he posted to his social media about the Rutgers offer:

 

Playing the second-toughest schedule in college football last year, Rutgers finished 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten). They played Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, which they won 31-24.

Talibi Kaba breaks down why he committed to Rutgers football: ‘The coaches kept it real’

Rutgers football landed an elite athlete in Talibi Kaba.

Rutgers football received a commitment on Tuesday night from Talibi Kaba, a player who might be the most under-appreciated prospect in the state. An elite-level athlete, Kaba pops on tape.

He is ranked a three-star by 247Sports and is the No. 12 recruit in New Jersey according to 247Sports.

Kaba’s commitment to Rutgers sees him joining the class of 2025 as an athlete. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he played as a linebacker and at running back for Hillside (Hillside, New Jersey. He currently holds offers from Boston College, Duke, Kent State and Iowa State.

The idea for Rutgers is to get him on campus and see what role he grows into. But he is an incredible athlete and a bigtime get for Rutgers head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag].

“The coaches kept it real,” Kaba told Rutgers Wire on Wednesday.

“Coach Schiano reminds me of my current coach…coach Grant (Hillside head coach Barris Grant). So I know that was the best decision for me.”

He is a very good student (made the honor roll last quarter) and plans on majoring in either engineering or political science.

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Two weeks ago, Rutgers visited Kabba at his high school, rolling in with five coaches including head coach Greg Schiano. Then last week, Kaba took an unofficial visit to campus along with several other top prospects.

The in-school visit and then the unofficial visit on camps made an impression, Kaba said.

“The coaching staff is really nice, (they) made me feel really comfortable,” Kaba said.

“And they made it feel like home. And the staff were a big part in my commitment, especially coach Drew (safeties coach Drew Lascari) and coach Joe (defensive coordinator [autotag]Joe Harasymiak[/autotag]).”

Joe Harasymiak fits the Rutgers football defense: ‘Joe is just an excellent coach’

Greg Schiano praises Joe Harasymiak, the Rutgers defensive coordinator.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — One day after Joe Harasymiak was nominated for the Broyles Award, Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano detailed just why his defensive coordinator is so highly considered.

Now in his second year with Rutgers, Harasymiak has been a tremendous addition to the defense. He has Rutgers as a top-five unit in the Big Ten.

He came to Rutgers from Minnesota, where he was the defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he was head coach at FCS program Maine.

He brings a lot of experience to his role at Rutgers. The Broyles Award is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

A Rutgers coach has never won the award.

“Joe is just an excellent coach, an excellent person. He fits right into our culture who we are what we are,” Schiano said on Wednesday following practice.

“Joe comes from our tree – you know our defensive tree. So that also was a huge fit. Just a great, great staff member, great guy to have on the staff.”

The Broyles Award was won last year by Garrett Riley, the TCU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Rutgers football: Joe Harasymiak nominated for Broyles Award

Joe Harasymiak gets a major nod for his work with the Rutgers defense.

With Rutgers football enjoying their best season in years, their coaching staff is getting national recognition for their work. On Tuesday, the program announced that defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak had been nominated for the Broyles Award for the second straight year.

The defense has played a major role in Rutgers having a strong season (6-4,3-4 Big Ten).

Under Harasymiak’s watch, Rutgers’ defense has continued to improve. Through ten games, the unit ranks ninth in pass defense, No. 13 in total defense and No. 19 in scoring defense. They have also held five opponents to under 300 yards in a game this season.

Additionally, Rutgers and Harasymiak’s success has been a team effort. Twelve different players have recorded at least one sack while the defense has been a turnover machine. At least six players have recorded an interception and seven of the eight fumbles Rutgers has forced have been recovered.

 

 

While their success has provided plenty of exciting moments, it is no surprise. Last year, the unit was a bright spot as the addition of the New Jersey native made a noticeable impact. Harasymiak joins an elite list and is among 57 nominees from across the country.

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Although the college football world will have to wait a few weeks to know who the winner is, Harasymiak’s impact has been displayed weekly. Over the last two years, he has brought out the best in Rutgers defense regardless of the opponent.

Rutgers football: Is Greg Schiano concerned that Joe Harasymiak might leave to be a head coach somewhere?

Joe Harasymiak has done a tremendous job as defensive coordinator for Rutgers.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — With a defense that is among the best in the Big Ten and a Rutgers football team that is already bowl-eligible, it isn’t far-fetched to think that Joe Harasymiak could be in demand. The Rutgers defensive coordinator certainly has impressed this season and is building quite the resume for whatever the next step is.

Harasymiak is now in his second year as the Rutgers defensive coordinator. He spent the previous three years at Minnesota, working his way up from safeties coach to the Big Ten program’s defensive coordinator.

Prior to that, he spent eight years at Maine, the last four of which were as the program’s head coach. In 2018, his final season at Maine, he took the FCS program to the national semifinals.

On Tuesday, head coach Greg Schiano was asked about his concerns about Harasymiak potentially leaving the program to once again become a head coach. With the success of the program as a whole and the defense’s significant role in this season, it is certainly conceivable that Harasymiak would attract head coaching interest and offers.

“Well, I’m always concerned about that, but I’m also hopeful for them,” Schiano said.

“I know that that’s ultimately their goal, but you know, when you have good staff, people, you try to take care of them, take care of their families, make sure it’s a good work environment for them. But my hope is that they will become head coaches, if that’s what they want. But we’ll make sure that it’s going to have to be a great job for Joe to leave.”

Rutgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) is fourth in the Big Ten in total defense and fifth in scoring defense.

Prior to joining Rutgers, both Harasymiak and offensive coordinator [autotag]Kirk Ciarrocca[/autotag] were coordinators at Minnesota.

‘Who can I vibe with?’ A special connection on the defensive side of the ball for four-star running back Jason Patterson

Florida running back Jason patterson details a strong relationship with Rutgers football that may be a surprise.

Jason Patterson is done taking his official visits as the Florida running back is closing in on a decision date. In June, Patterson took an official visit to Rutgers football, part of a whirlwind month where he also checked out a total of five Power Five programs.

Ranked a four-star by ESPN.com, Patterson had 2,721 rushing yards last season with 35 touchdowns for Sneads High School (Sneads, FL). He is fast, with a 10.97 time in the 100 meters during spring track.

He has taken a visit to all five programs that made his final cutdown Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Rutgers, Cincinnati and Boston College.Patterson is done taking his official visits.

“I’m getting closer, I wouldn’t say I’ve wrapped it up,” Patterson told Rutgers Wire.

“I’m getting there. I’m just really evaluating right now. I’m keeping it at five.

“I don’t have a date, I’m trying to get it before the season. I don’t have a date. Probably early August.”

Patterson’s first official visit was to Rutgers in early June. The visit went along well and made a good impression out the gate for the recruit as he got to further know head coach Greg Schiano and running backs coach Damiere Shaw.

“The Rutgers visit, it was the first one. It set the bar high, it set the bar high,” Patterson said.

“Because of how they made me feel. The whole staff really and truly make you feel like you’re at home.”

He is looking for a program where he can grow on the field and be developed. But he is prioritizing relationships as a major part of what matters to him.

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When asked what he is looking for in a future school, Patterson laid out two priorities for the football side of things.

“Where I feel I can develop on and off the field and just continue the relationship I have,” Patterson said.

“In college, you’re around them all the time. Who can I vibe with all the time? Which the Rutgers staff, I can vibe with the whole staff. I’m very, very close with coach Harasymiak, and he coaches the defense.”

The connection with Rutgers is intriguing. Last year,  defensive coordinator [autotag]Joe Harasymiak[/autotag] was at Sneads’ final game, a playoff loss at Blountstown. Patterson has no idea why Harasmyiak was there or who sent him his tape.

Had Sneads won the game, they would have played Hawthorne the next week, the program that Rutgers commit [autotag]Mozell Williams[/autotag] was on. That’s the only connection that Patterson can make as to why Harasymiak could have been in the area.

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But it began a relationship that now sees the Scarlet Knights positioned in Patterson’s top five.

“Rutgers doesn’t have my area, I’m in the middle of nowhere. No one has my area. His area is three hours from me in Jacksonville. His area is three hours from me, but he is the closest one to me. He found out about me, and sent my tape to coach Shaw,” Patterson said.

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Rutgers football: Tyreem Powell to have a breakout season in 2023?

Rutgers football is returning an important defensive starter from last season, Tyreem Powell. Can Powell have a breakout season in 2023?

Rutgers football returns an important defensive starter from last season, middle linebacker Tyreem Powell. The New Jersey native started 12 games for the Scarlet Knights last year, recording 71 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks. Throughout the 2022 season, he had at least four tackles in every game and was in on a tackle-for-loss in seven contests. Can the 6-5 240-pound junior linebacker have a breakout 2023 season?

The 2022 season was Powell’s first year as a full-time starter. In 2021, he started three games but stepped in as an everyday starter last season. Heading into the 2023 season, Powell is trying to improve his communication skills as the leader of Rutgers’ defense.

According to 247Sports, Powell mentioned expanding his role as the MIKE linebacker during the spring.

“I would say being more communicative. As a MIKE linebacker, you have to set things, make sure the defense is in the right position, and make the calls. That role is not for everybody. You have to be built for that role. It is a hard thing to do, and it takes time.”

Consistency is the key to success for any linebacker. Throughout the spring, Powell is working to be consistent on every snap. He is shining in the run-and-pass game, adjusting his teammates when out of position. Things are making more sense to Powell this spring, especially since this is his second time under linebackers coach Corey Hetherman. He looks comfortable, getting his reads quickly.

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Powell is entering his fourth season with the Scarlet Knights, benefiting from a true redshirt season in his first year. The Scarlet Knights have plenty of depth at the linebacker position, with starter Deion Jennings returning and Mohamed Toure and Moses Walker returning from knee injuries. Also, Rutgers added freshman (early enrolled) Abram Wright to the mix, showing promising signs at the linebacker position.

Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak is loving the energy and the violence the linebacker position is bringing, something Powell is looking to expand on going into the 2023 season.

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Rutgers football sends out an offer to Florida edge Mason Carter

Mason Carter is offered by Rutgers football on Friday.

For Mason Carter, Friday’s offer from Rutgers football became the second Big Ten offer for a prospect who now currently holds five offers from Power Five programs. There has certainly been an uptick in the Florida defensive lineman’s recruitment this month.

Rutgers joins Boston College, Tulane, Minnesota, Vanderbilt and Virginia in offering Carter in May. He also has gotten some other strong offers this month including FAU and Troy among others.

The offers from Rutgers and Virginia both came on Friday night.

Last season for Baldwin High School (Jacksonville, FL), Carter had 43 total tackles including two tackles for a loss. He also had one sack and five passes defended.

At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Carter needs to add strength and size to compete at the Big Ten level. But, he has some good production and very nice tools which certainly could translate well to Power Five football.

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He tweeted about the offer from Rutgers football on Friday night. He tagged head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag] and defensive coordinator [autotag]Joe Harasymiak[/autotag] in the post:

 

The Rutgers football recruiting class currently stands at eight commits with six coming on the offensive side of the ball. In recent weeks, Rutgers has made a push in Florida with several new offers going out.

Last season, the 2023 recruiting class for Rutgers had six players from Florida. There are no commits from the state this current recruiting cycle but that is expected to change.

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They call him Flip: Rutgers football excited about the early returns from safety Flip Dixon

In his first spring with Rutgers football, Flip Dixon is standing out in the Rutgers football defense.

One of the new additions to the Rutgers football secondary, Flip Dixon, is proving himself this spring with a blend of experience and power that is certainly encouraging to the coaching staff.

Dixon committed to Rutgers out of the transfer portal, joining the program in time for spring practice. Across three seasons, he played 30 games for Minnesota where he had six starts.

Last year, he had 28 tackles and three passes defended.

Poised for a bigger role in the Minnesota defense, Dixon decided to join Joe Harasymiak at Rutgers. Harasymiak was at Minnesota as their defensive coordinator prior to taking over the Rutgers defense last season.

“Flip, for one, brings a lot of Big Ten experience. It is so important to understand that he has played a lot of Big Ten football and with that, you learn a lot every single snap in this league,” safeties coach Drew Lascari told reporters on Thursday following practice.

“In terms of his physicality, it has been something that is exciting for us to see. He certainly loves to play physically, he knows our scheme really, really well so that allows him to play fast. Really excited about the direction that Flip is going.”

The emergence of Dixon this spring is encouraging for Rutgers, especially after some pretty steep offseason losses including Christian Izien heading for the NFL draft.

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Dixon has experience in the same base defense that Rutgers uses, which isn’t a surprise given that Harasymiak was his coordinator at Minnesota and now at Rutgers. And with Rutgers very often playing three safeties, a role for Dixon is very much there.

On Saturday, Dixon talked about his unusual nickname. Turns out it has nothing to do with backflips.

(He can’t do one anyway, so that’s good).

“It came from my uncle man when I got it when I was a baby when I came from the hospital,” Dixon said before being asked why he got the nickname.

“My feet they was like long like flippers.”

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