Tag: Max Melton

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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Ahead of a fourth season under Greg Schiano, Rutgers football has a different feel to it

Rutgers football faces a crucial fourth season under head coach Greg Schiano.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — There is a sense among the Rutgers football that things are building and growing. That’s the message from two veteran players on the roster, both of whom have been here for the entirety of head coach Greg Schiano’s rebuild of the program.

And as Schiano enters his fourth season back with Rutgers, it is a crucial year for the head coach and his team. If Rutgers is going to make a move within the Big Ten’s pecking order, then this season they will need to show significant growth and development.

For tight end Johnny Langan, set to enter his fourth year at Rutgers and his sixth in college football, this locker room is showing signs that he hadn’t seen before in the past. He said that things have been “a little bit different” this spring in terms of the team buying into the rebuild.

“The locker room is great. We’re really just like a well-oiled machine,” Langan said on Tuesday following practice.

“Everyone falls in line. The leadership of the team is some of the best I’ve been around. And, you know, we’re kind of just like on a very linear alignment throughout the organization and we’ve got a chance to really do some special.”

The rebuild’s crucial juncture is an important time for Schiano and his staff to show some growth within the program. The 2022 recruiting class, featuring six recruits ranked as four-stars, was a top 30 national class. They are expected to take a big jump this season in terms of development and growth.

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That young, emerging group of talent is met with a strong senior class that is experienced.

They are experienced, and tired of losing. Rutgers hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.

Not even Langan has been around that long.

“We’re turnt up, this is the most turnt team at Rutgers I’ve been on. There’s nothing wrong with the teams before but I gel with these guys much, much better. It’s going to carry over to the field when it’s supposed to,” defensive back Max Melton said last week.

“Like I said before, nothing against the teams we had previously when Schiano came back but like, we’re all on one page. We’re all having leadership meetings, like letting the team know what type of time we’re on this year, like not just going with the flow, or we come out here run plays, we put our daily deposit in football (then) about to go do whatever. Now, we (are) making sure from top – from player one to player 132 – however many players you’re allowed to have on team – like we’re all on the same page. I think that is gonna help us when it comes fourth quarter versus whatever.”

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Max Melton never doubted his Rutgers football return, says this team is ‘turnt up’

Max Melton believes that Rutgers football is ready to take that next step in 2023.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football has a different mentality this year according to Max Melton, one that the defensive back says involves the entire program buying in.

In what will be his fourth season at Rutgers, Melton believes that the Scarlet Knights are ready and prepared to build upon the growth and development of the last two seasons. As the program enters its fourth season under head coach Greg Schiano, there is certainly an elevation of the overall talent level within the program.

Now, that talent level needs to manifest itself on the field and in Big Ten play. Two years ago, Rutgers played in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest as a replacement team when Texas A&M had to withdraw.

But Rutgers hasn’t made a bowl game outright since 2014. The senior defensive back believes this team can take that step forward this season.

Melton had the opportunity to test the NFL draft waters but instead returns to the Scarlet Knights for one final season with the program. It is a decision he said was part of a desire to go out on top with the rebuilding program.

“100 percent I was coming back, there was no question in my mind,” Melton said on Saturday.

“I got to win with this team, I don’t feel like it was selfish if I was going to go to the league but like I just want to win. I’ve always been a part of winning teams so I ain’t feel like it’s right if I left and we didn’t win nothing.

“To be honest, I don’t even count the bowl game – Texas A&M had COVID or whatever. I ain’t count that, that wasn’t a bowl game for us. We didn’t earn that.”

Rutgers, Melton believes, is ready for that next step as a program. As for why he believes that, Melton cites a belief that the team has bought in to the vision of the rebuild and is investing in the direction established under Schiano.

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“We’re turnt up, this is the most turnt team at Rutgers I’ve been on. There’s nothing wrong with the teams before but I gel with these guys much, much better. It’s going to carry over to the field when it’s supposed to,” Melton said.

“Like I said before, nothing against the teams we had previously when Schiano came back but like, we’re all on one page. We’re all having leadership meetings, like letting the team know what type of time we’re on this year, like not just going with the flow, or we come out here run plays, we put our daily deposit in football (then) about to go do whatever. Now like we making sure from top from player one to player 132 however many players you’re allowed to have on team – like we’re all on the same page. I think that is gonna help us when it comes fourth quarter versus whatever.”

Last season, Melton posted a career-high 33 tackles and nine passes defended. He also had two interceptions.

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Bo Melton hypes up brother Max before Rutgers Week 1 game

Former Scarlet Knights Bo Melton took to Twitter to hype up Rutgers and his brother Max Melton

In football, there’s the Rutgers family – and then there’s family-family.

Former Scarlet Knight Bo Melton played for the program just last season. Just because Bo is no longer a student-athlete at Rutgers, doesn’t mean that he can’t continue to hype up his former squad and especially his younger brother and current Rutgers cornerback, Max Melton. He took to twitter to do just that:

Bo was taken in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He had the privilege of playing together with his younger brother, Max at Rutgers for the last two years. The brothers played on opposite sides of the field with Bo playing wide receiver and Max playing cornerback, and were able to help each other grow. They battled each other while lifting each other up day in and day out.

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Max has used his experience with his brother and the Scarlet Knights to elevate his game, and experts were talking about him as a potential breakout candidate for this coming season. Knowing his brother will be watching closely this weekend may inspire him even more.

Bo was waived a few days ago as a result of offseason roster cuts, but signed back with the Seahawks to join their practice squad.

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Rutgers football 2022 preview: defensive backs

Rutgers Wire continues their 2022 Rutgers football season preview by taking a look at the defensive backs

With the regular season set to kick-off this coming weekend, it is past the time to start getting ready for the return of Rutgers football. Rutgers Wire is here to help with your last minute catch-up needs.

The Scarlet Knights will be looking to improve over their record in 2021, as they finished 5-8. Despite finishing with less than the usual required six victories, they were selected as a replacement team for a bowl game last season. They stepped in for Texas A&M in last season’s Gator Bowl, resulting in a losing effort to Wake Forest. Head coach Greg Schiano was happy his team got the opportunity, but they will be looking to improve and earn a bowl game appearance outright this season.

Rutgers has struggled to find its footing during the program’s time in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights have not finished a season with a winning record since 2014 – their first season in the conference. In their ninth season in the power five conference, defense is key. This is Schiano’s third season since returning for a second stint with the program and he wants to continue to build the strength of his defensive units.

Let’s break down how the Scarlet Knights look along the defensive line going into the 2022 season.

Part of building the defense is the fresh coaching staff brought in for 2022. Almost every defensive coach who was with the Scarlet Knights in 2021 was replaced in 2022. First year coaches include both cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey both defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. Safeties coach Drew Lascari is in his fifth year with the program, but his first as the head of the safeties room. Orphey comes to Piscataway from Alabama, where he helped put together the gameplan for the SEC Champion Crimson Tide.

Catch up on Rutgers Wire’s preview series here:

Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Offensive Line

Defensive Line Linebackers 

Secondary is an area of strength and one of the groups returning a good amount of experience. The Scarlet Knights are deep at cornerback with returning starters Kessawn Abraham and Max Melton. Plus they will be getting former Temple Owl transfer Christian Braswell after he missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

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Abraham had a great year in 2021, seeing 12 starts and time in all 13 games. The senior accumulated 44 tackles – three for loss – and tallied nine pass defenses. He was named to the Pro Football Focus First Team All-Big Ten last year and was named the Rutgers Defensive MVP in 2021. Melton looks every bit the NFL prospect his brother was and should have another strong season to boost his status on draft boards. He led the team last season with three interceptions, running one back for a pick six. Melton finished with 28 tackles – two for loss – along with nine passes defended and a fumble recovery. Braswell may not have played last season, but played strong across just six games in 2020. The senior finished with 21 tackles, an interception, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles. His experience is a welcome addition and if he can regain that same level of play, should start more games than not.

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The key players at safety also bring some experience in Scarlet and White. Avery Young moved to safety from corner last fall. Joining him at safety will be returning senior Christian Izien and sophomore Desmond Igbinosun who saw good playing time as a true freshman last season.

Young claimed a spot on the All-ECAC Defense last season. He finished second on the team with a whopping 81 tackles. The Coatesville, PA native recorded two of those tackles for a loss and added one interception, two pass defenses, and one forced fumble. Izien is coming off consecutive seasons where he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten. The senior was near the top on the team with 75 tackles, nine for a loss. He did have no picks and only four pass defenses after coming up big in both categories in 2020. Rutgers will need him to put up the results from two years ago if they want to improve on their low-rated defense. Igbinosun saw most of his time in the second half of the season. Across seven contests, the true freshman recorded 14 tackles (two for loss) and a strip sack that happened to come in the Gator Bowl. The former three-star recruit in a physical presence in the secondary, standing at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds.

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Overall, the secondary may have looked good but did not get enough takeaways. As a result, Rutgers was near or at the bottom of the Big Ten in almost all defensive categories. There was a need to overhaul the defensive approach and Schiano made sure to do that. Now, with a new staff in place and a few days before game time – it is time for the players to perform and apply the changes instilled in the defensive unit. Rutgers could see one of their better secondaries in recent memory.

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Rutgers football’s Greg Schiano praises Max Melton: ‘he has a chance to be a real good one’

Rutgers football is expecting big things from Max Melton this year.

Greg Schiano has coached numerous players who have gone on to the NFL. No position group has Schiano been more successful at developing players for Sundays than at defensive back.

And Max Melton, according to Schiano, has the potential to be as good as any of those players who have been groomed by Schiano. The 6-foot sophomore out of Cedar Creek (Mays Landing, N.J.) is poised for a breakout season.

That is quite a statement considering Schiano’s role in the development of Duron Harmon, Devin and Jason McCourty as well as Logan Ryan.

“Max is as talented as any of them. What he’s working on right now is consistency, every play consistently getting his alignment, understanding what the receivers giving, what kind of tips the receiver has given to him,” Schiano told reporters this week.

“And then finishing the play with great eye discipline. He’s getting better and better and he has a chance to be a real good one.”

Last season, Melton started 10 games for Rutgers at cornerback, being named fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. He had 28 total tackles with three interceptions and five passes defended.

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In the Gator Bowl against No. 17 Wake Forest, Melton had six tackles.

As part of the class of 2020, he was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 22 player in the state. He was originally committed to Big Ten rival Purdue but committed to the Scarlet Knights once Schiano was hired as head coach.

He also held a Power Five offer from Boston College.

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Melton was ranked as the No. 2 player on the Rutgers roster by ScarletNation’s Bobby Deren.

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Bo Melton makes a prediction: Max Melton will be All-Big Ten in 2022

Bo Melton predicts that brother Max Melton is poised to be an All-Big Ten selection.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Bo Melton believes his little brother is poised for a breakout 2022 season.

A standout wide receiver at Rutgers, Melton is getting ready for the NFL draft where is being projected as a solid Day 3 selectio. Named 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) as well as Third Team All-Big Ten (Pro Football Focus) in 2022, Melton was one of the top wide receivers in the conference the past three seasons.

And his belief is that brother Max Melton, set to enter his third season as a starting cornerback at Rutgers, is poised for big things.

“All conference. I promise. Max is gonna be really good. He’s already showing it and I’m in the spring ball practices,” Bo told ‘Rutgers Wire’ in a recent interview.

“I’ve been to one and I just see how he was looking. I just know he’s going to be a really, really, really good cornerback. Personally, for me, I know anybody can testify to it, but he’s definitely right. He’s on his way.”

Max had 28 tackles and three interceptions a year ago. He is certainly a strong candidate to be All-Big Ten this season.

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As brothers, Bo admits that there is definitely a strong competition with Max. He says that growing up and going against his brother helped developed him into a player that, in just a few short weeks, will be in the NFL.

“Yeah, because seeing my little brother he’s a big dude tall corner. So going against him all the time made me better and him going against me against a faster guy shifty guy too – and he’s fast also,” Bo said.

“Iron sharpens iron. So going against each other every day made us really competitive and made us want to win everything so kind of helped us in the long run, as you can see, like at Rutgers now and he’s doing very well for himself as well.”

Bo spoke in early April at the Morris County Card Show where he signed autographs and spoke afterward to the media. The event was held at the Embassy Suites in Parsippany.

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Watch: Max Melton only needs one hand in highlight play for Rutgers football

Rutgers football Max Melton pulls off a tremendous one-handed interception at Indiana.

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On their second possession of the game, Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco needed just one shoe as he rumbled into the end zone to give the Scarlet Knights a 14-0 lead at Indiana. Later in the first half, Max Melton needed just one hand for an interception.

With 9:26 left in the second quarter and Indiana facing a third and long, Hoosiers quarterback Jake Tuttle took a shot down the field and Melton cut outside of intended target Ty Fryfogle for an interception. The one-handed interception was impressive as Melton held onto the ball as he tumbled to the ground.

The play essentially served as a punt for Indiana.

 

A true freshman, Melton came into the game with 11 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended.

Rutgers came into the game 4-5 (1-5 Big Ten), needing two wins for bowl eligibility. The Scarlet Knights have not made a bowl game since 2014.

For Indiana, last season’s tremendous record including a 6-2 record and No. 12 rank in the final Associated Press poll, all seems a distant memory. They are 2-7 (0-6 Big Ten) and have struggled with injuries throughout the season.

Rutgers Football depth chart at cornerback following suspensions

Rutgers football’s depth chart just changed with the suspension of two cornerbacks on Tuesday.

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Rutgers secondary depth took a hit on Tuesday with the announcement that cornerbacks Max Melton and Chris Long were suspended from the team. Both players are currently involved in an ongoing police investigation.

The loss of the two players hurts the overall depth in the secondary and at cornerback in particular. Melton was a starter who had earned some high praise from head coach Greg Schiano in recent days.

It is bad timing with Rutgers needing all the starting quality and depth it can ahead of the Big Ten opener this Saturday at No. 19 Michigan.

Through three games, Melton had eight total tackles with a fumble recovery and two interceptions. Long played in two games last year and participated in all three games this season for the Scarlet Knights.

Now with the loss of two cornerbacks due to the suspension, Rutgers will need to adjust their two-deep at cornerback alongside starters Tre Avery and Kessawn Abraham.

It might involve moving a safety (or two) with experience at cornerback to help deal with the depth issues currently on the roster.

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Rutgers suspends two before Michigan game, including starting CB

Big news coming out of Piscataway.

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Michigan’s passing game against Rutgers this Saturday perhaps got a little easier.

The Scarlet Knight defense has been stellar through three games, in large part due to the secondary. It had been opportunistic, with no one showing out more than freshman cornerback Max Melton, who has two interceptions in three games, with one being a pick six. Melton is rated as the third-best defensive player through Week 3 for the Rutgers team.

But Melton, along with fellow corner Chris Long, were suspended immediately and indefinitely due to an arrest involving a paintball gun. It’s a big loss for a team that needs to be full strength if it intends on beating Michigan for the first time since 2014.

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Melton was a starter at cornerback and has a PFF grade of 76.0 defensively. Long wasn’t nearly as big of a contributor, having only seen 13 snaps over the course of the three games, with half coming on special teams. Kessawn Abraham is thought to be the backup cornerback behind Melton.

Michigan and Rutgers kick off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT at The Big House and will be nationally broadcast on ABC.

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