Tag: Knights in the NFL

Miami Dolphins signed former Rutgers offensive lineman Ireland Brown

After a successful rookie minicamp tryout, the Miami Dolphins signed former Rutgers offensive lineman Ireland Brown to their 90-man roster.

After a successful rookie minicamp, the Miami Dolphins signed former Rutgers football offensive lineman Ireland Brown to their 90-man roster. More than two dozen players tried out for the Dolphins’ rookie minicamp, with Brown being the only one turning his tryout into an opportunity.

Brown played in eight games for the Scarlet Knights last season, taking part in an offensive line that led the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.08) and ranked fifth in the league in rushing (168.7).

The former Scarlet Knight was selected to the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list heading into the 2023 season. According to PFF, Brown earned a 90.5 grade while playing 62 snaps as a senior.

In 2022, Brown started 11 games at center, helping the Rutgers’ offense total 460 yards at Michigan State. In the same season, Brown earned the Mark Mills Second Effort Award as the most improved offensive player during spring practice.

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Brown began his collegiate career as a defensive tackle at Boston College before transferring to Rutgers.

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While playing at Boston College, Brown appeared in nine games at the defensive tackle position. He recorded six total tackles (four solo, two assisted) on the season. When he transferred to Rutgers in 2020, Brown played five games on the defensive line, recording three tackles and one sack.

He played on the defensive side of the ball with the Scarlet Knights for one season before moving to the offensive line in 2021. As a sophomore in 2021, Brown played in nine games with six starts at left guard for the Scarlet Knights.

 

 

 

 

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.

New York Giants added former Rutgers coach Zak Kuhr to their coaching staff

The New York Giants promoted three coaches and added two newcomers to their staff. One of the newcomers is former Rutgers coach Zak Kuhr.

On Wednesday, the New York Giants promoted three coaches and added two newcomers to their coaching staff. One of the two newcomers is former Rutgers football assistant coach Zak Kuhr.

Kuhr will serve as a defensive assistant. He has coaching experience on both sides of the ball including on offense during his time at Rutgers.

Kuhr coached the running backs for the Scarlet Knights in 2016 under then head coach Chris Ash. Following that season, he joined the Texas State staff. The Scarlet Knights finished the 2016 season with a 2-10 record and were 0-9 in the Big Ten.

While with the Scarlet Knights, Kuhr was part of a Rutgers offense that averaged 15.7 points per game.

Robert Martin led Rutgers with 695 rushing yards.

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Kuhr started coaching at Edward Waters University in 2009. Following his time there, Kuhr joined multiple D1 programs before entering the NFL with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 as their quality control coach. After the 2020 season, Kuhr was promoted to the Titans inside linebackers assistant coach position and has been there the past three seasons.

 

What Rutgers football players are in the NFL playoffs?

On Saturday, the NFL Playoffs will kick off with ten former Scarlet Knights representing Rutgers football in the NFL postseason.

On Saturday, the NFL Playoffs will kick off with ten former Scarlet Knights representing Rutgers football in the NFL postseason. In the past, Rutgers has seen their fair share of players go to the next level and be successful, and this year, it hasn’t changed.

Heading into the postseason, the Scarlet Knights will be well-represented in the NFL Playoffs, with a healthy representation in the postseason. Rutgers football had 15 former players log snaps during the 2023-24 season, and the Scarlet Knights will continue that trend into the postseason.

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Former players like Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City), Bo Melton (Green Bay), and Gus Edwards (Baltimore) have combined for 23 touchdowns during the regular season, tying a record set by Ray Rice (12), Mohamed Sanu (5), Kenny Britt (4) and Tiquan Underwood (2) during the 2012 NFL season. Since 1996, a former Scarlet Knight has produced an NFL touchdown in 28 consecutive seasons.

Below are the ten active Scarlet Knights representing Rutgers football in the NFL Playoffs.

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Rutgers offensive lineman Ireland Brown has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft

On Sunday, Rutgers offensive lineman Ireland Brown announced on his social media account that he was declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Over the weekend, Rutgers offensive lineman Ireland Brown announced on his social media account that he’s declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Brown, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman, began his career as a defensive tackle at Boston College before transferring to Rutgers in his sophomore season.

When joining Rutgers football, Brown moved from defense to offense, getting rotated to left guard in 2021 before settling into the center position a year later. During his junior season, Brown started 11 games and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten list, earning the Mark Mills Second Effort Award as the team’s most improved offensive player during spring practice in 2022.

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The Jamaica, New York native helped an offense unit total 460 yards against a Big Ten opponent in Michigan State. Also, Brown was part of a unit that allowed no sacks in a winning effort against Indiana in 2022.

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Heading into the 2023 season, Brown was selected to the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list, being identified as a possible future 2024 NFL Draft pick.

The senior center took part in a unit that totaled 436 yards of offense in a victory over Wagner and received his third Academic All-Big Ten honor for his efforts in the classroom.

 

 

Knights in the NFL: Isiah Pacheco carries the Chiefs to a Week 17 victory

On New Year’s Eve, ex-Rutgers running back Isiah Pacheco carried the Kansas City Chiefs to a Week 17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

On New Year’s Eve, former Rutgers running back Isiah Pacheco carried the Kansas City Chiefs to a Week 17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Pacheco and the Chiefs defeated the Bengals 25-17 to secure their tenth win of the season.

The former Scarlet Knight had a strong performance on Sunday, recording 18 carries for a career-best 130 rushing yards, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. The 2022 seventh-round pick registered the game’s longest rush, recording a 37-yard run. Along with his strong performance on the ground, Pacheco added seven catches out of the backfield for 35 yards and a touchdown.

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Through Week 17, Pacheco has logged 205 carries for 935 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. The second-year pro has registered his third 100+ rushing performance in 2023 and is the lead back for the Chiefs as they inch closer to the playoffs. Also, in the passing game, Pacheco has developed into a sure-handed receiver out of the backfield, recording 44 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns this season.

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According to ESPN, the former Rutgers’ team captain is No. 10 in the NFL for rushing yards (935 yards) and No. 14 for rushing touchdowns (7 touchdowns). With their win over the Bengals, the Chiefs secured the No. 3 seed in the AFC conference as they wrap up the regular season next week against the Chargers.

 

Former Rutgers football running back Gus Edwards got another touchdown this week

On Christmas night, former Rutgers football running back Gus Edwards recorded his 12th touchdown of the season while playing with the Baltimore Ravens.

On Christmas night, former Rutgers running back Gus Edwards recorded his twelfth touchdown of the 2023-24 season while playing with the Baltimore Ravens. Against the San Fransico 49ers, Edwards logged a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Ravens’ lead 10-5 early in the second quarter.

The 6-foot-1, 238-pound running back has recorded 172 carries for 694 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns through 15 games, averaging four yards per attempt this season. Edwards’ 12 rushing touchdowns rank him No. 5 in the NFL, according to ESPN. Also, the former Scarlet Knight has logged 12 catches out of the backfield for 180 receiving yards, averaging 15 yards per catch this season.

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12th touchdown of the season for Gus the Bus 🚌

Edwards, the six-year pro, has played five seasons in Baltimore, recording 673 carries for 3,279 rushing yards with 25 touchdowns in 67 games. The Staten Island, New York native is on pace to break his career-high 723 rushing yards with two games remaining.

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The 28-year-old running back registered his best performance of the season in Week 8 against the Cardinals when he recorded 19 carries for 80 yards and three rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt in a 31-24 victory.

As a senior with Rutgers, Edwards received Honorable Mention Big Ten (Coaches) honors and the Homer Hazel Award in 2017.

 

Former Scarlet Knight Sebastian Joseph-Day was released by the LA Chargers

After starting 14 games for the LA Chargers this season, former Rutgers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day was waived on Friday.

After starting 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers this season, former Rutgers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day was waived on Friday.

The Chargers’ former team captain signed a three-year, $24 million contract with LA in the 2022 offseason, recording 32 tackles and three sacks this season. In the last five games, Joseph-Day logged 11 tackles and one sack. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive lineman played two seasons with the Chargers, recording 88 tackles, five sacks, one force fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception in 30 games.

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Joseph-Day was drafted into the NFL in 2018 when the Los Angeles Rams drafted him in the sixth round (195th overall). While with the Rams, the Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania native registered 137 tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble in 39 games during his three seasons in Los Angeles.

Before entering the NFL Draft in 2018, Joseph-Day played five seasons with Rutgers from 2013 to 2017. The former Scarlet Knight recorded 97 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 50 games. After the conclusion of his senior season, Joseph-Day received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches) honors while capturing the 2017 Homer Hazel Award and the David Bender Trophy. Also, in his final season with the Scarlet Knights Joseph-Day received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

 

Former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien is the highest graded rookie safety in the NFL

In Week 13 of the NFL season, former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien received the highest grade among rookie safeties in the NFL. 

In Week 13 of the 2023-23 NFL season, former Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien received the highest grade among rookie safeties in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Izien has appeared in 12 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his rookie campaign, recording 40 total tackles, one force fumble, two pass breakups, and two interceptions.

While attending Rutgers University, Izien started in seven games in 2019, recording 78 tackles and three pass breakups in 12 appearances. As a senior in 2022, Izien logged 84 tackles, five tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks, and four pass breakups, receiving honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors for his efforts.

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After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Izien got signed by the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. During the off-season, the former Scarlet Knight made an impression around the organization and made the final roster. Throughout the season, Izien started in the Bucs’ nickel package, recording interceptions in his first two games, becoming only the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to reach that milestone.

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Izien shone in his Week 3 matchup against the Eagles, recording six tackles for loss and two assisted tackles.