Tag: Naseim Brantley

Athan Kaliakmanis preparing to lead Rutgers offense

Athan Kaliakmanis has the skillset to help Rutgers football this season.

When Rutgers football opens its season against Howard on August 31, there will be a new quarterback under center in Athan Kaliakmanis. The former Minnesota starting quarterback was named the starter after his performance this spring on May 1.

In his first season as the starter in Piscataway, Kaliakmanis will be looking to help Rutgers take the next step following a winning season last year that was capped off by a bowl win. Kaliakmanis joined Rutgers out of the transfer portal during the offseason.

The Scarlet Knights beat Miami last year in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl to finish the year 7-6.

During his career as a Golden Gopher, he recorded 17 touchdown passes and 2,784 passing yards. The talented sophomore only threw 13 interceptions and was a threat at times on the ground, rushing for 234 yards. While Kaliakmanis is still adjusting to a new team, he has had a familiar face to lean on in offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who recruited him to Minnesota as a three-star high school prospect and coached him in 2021.

Although Rutgers took some steps forward last year, they struggled in the passing game. That is where Kaliakmanis is expected to provide he biggest upgrade. During the 2024 campaign, he posted a 53.1 completion percentage. Rutgers ranked last in the Big Ten last season with a 48.3 percent completion rate.

Brotherly Love ‼️

Athan Kaliakmanis hits Dino Kaliakmanis for the touchdown! pic.twitter.com/MW2btjeJRI

— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) April 27, 2024

In Rutgers’ spring game, Kaliakmanis’ accuracy was on display. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 147 yards, including a 42-year touchdown pass to Naseim Brantley. His performance was a preview of what Rutgers hopes to see when the regular season begins.

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While Kaliakmanis’s last few months have been full of change, he has already built trust with his new coaches, such as Greg Schiano.

“You know, the portal can be a scary place,” Kaliakmanis said in March. “I was very fortunate that a lot of schools (were) interested but very thankful that coach Ciarrocca and coach Schiano (head coach Greg Schiano) were interested in me. But yeah, I mean, our relationship is very, very tight -it was at Minnesota. And just picking his brain, I think he’s a very, very smart coordinator. He’s very intelligent, and I trust him.”

 

Film evaluation: Rutgers gets a big addition to their roster in Naseim Brantley

Film Review: The NCAA granted Naseim Brantley eligibility for the 2024 season, giving Rutgers an addition that could have high potential.

Last year, Rutgers football landed wide receiver Naseim Brantley via the NCAA transfer portal. Even though signing with the Scarlet Knights over a year ago, Brantley’s debut was held up when the NCAA ruled him ineligible for the 2023 season.

On Tuesday, the NCAA granted Brantley eligibility for next season, giving Rutgers an addition that could have high potential on their offense this upcoming season.

A product out of Farmingdale, New Jersey, Brantley was the leading receiver for Western Illinois in 2022, catching 53 passes along with 893 yards and nine touchdowns. In what was his last season at Western Illinois, Brantley was still selected Second Team All-American by Phil Steele.

Film Evaluation

Brantley can add explosiveness to the Scarlet Knights offense in his last year of eligibility. While in high school, the big-body wide receiver had solid speed, running the forty-yard dash in 4.58 seconds. Brantley, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound receiver, can out-leverage many defenders, causing concern in the opposing secondary.

Brantley has strong hands that can hold onto difficult catches while running routes through traffic. The former Leatherneck won a lot of 50/50 balls at Western Illinois, outmuscling defenders. Brantley is experienced in running all routes, recording 2164 yards and 17 touchdowns throughout his college career.

He has the potential to do that at Rutgers this year.

Rutgers’ offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca will insert this new offensive weapon within his red zone package, giving incumbent starting quarterback Gavin Wimsatt a big target to throw to.

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As spring practices get underway in April, Brantley could make an immediate impact for the Scarlet Knights.

 

Breaking: Naseim Brantley absolved, Rutgers wide receiver is no longer in NCAA purgatory

Naseim Brantley has been officially cleared by the NCAA to play for Rutgers football this fall.

Naseim Brantley is set to play for Rutgers football in 2024, the NCAA (finally) clearing the transfer portal wide receiver. Tuesday’s news ends a long and twisting saga that had kept Brantley off the field and ineligible to play according to the NCAA.

He has one year of eligibility left.

Brantley joined Rutgers football out of the transfer portal last year, following a standout season at Western Illinois. He sat out the past year waiting for NCAA clearance to be eligible to join Rutgers.

During that time, Brantley was fully enrolled at Rutgers and was with the team. During that time he was with the team, and participated in team activities like watching film. He just wasn’t able to represent the Scarlet Knights on the field.

In 2022, the last season he played college football Brantley had a standout showing for Western Illinois where he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.

Brantley is from Farmingdale, New Jersey.

 

He joins a receiving corps at Rutgers that has some depth and talent. In the transfer portal this offseason, the Scarlet Knights landed Dymere Miller out of Monmouth, adding a potential playmaker to the group.

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Returning this season is [autotag]Ian Strong[/autotag], who as a true freshman showed flashes of his potential last year (16 catches for 230 yards with two touchdowns).

In his college football debut against Northwestern, Strong made the SportsCenter Top 10 with a highlight reel touchdown catch.

Also returning is [autotag]Christian Dremel[/autotag], who had a breakout season for Rutgers and was their leading wide receiver in 2023.

As for Brantley, it is a solid addition to a Rutgers offense that made gains last year under offensive Kirk Ciarrocca.

In late September, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano was asked about Brantley’s status and why he was unable to be cleared by the NCAA.

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Schiano’s answer was clearly well-worded and cautious but spoke to the Rutgers head coach’s frustration at the situation.

“I just hope that it works out the way it should. I’m not saying it because it’s our guy. The way it should I believe that if you look at it from a neutral standpoint, he should be allowed to play so hopefully that happens,” Schiano said.

“You know, it would be a shame if it didn’t. It’s not what the purpose of the rule the way it is. So without getting into too much hopefully it works itself out.”

Greg Schiano says Naseim Brantley remains in NCAA purgatory: ‘What they did to that kid isn’t right’

Greg Schiano talks Naseim Brantley’s eligibility case with the NCAA.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — A visibly upset Greg Schiano is still baffled at the playing status of Naseim Brantley, who has not yet been deemed eligible by the NCAA. The Rutgers football head coach was adamant that the best interest of the player is not being pursued here as Brantley’s case continues to drag on.

Last month, Schiano said that Brantley remained in “NCAA purgatory” as issues about his qualification status persisted. Brantley joined Rutgers football in January out of the transfer portal but has yet to play a down of college football.

On Wednesday in speaking to the media, Schiano was asked about the status of Brantley and where things stand with the wide receiver is “still pending.”

With Rutgers set to play their eighth game of the season, Schiano was asked if it is too late for Brantley to make an impact in 2023.

“Well, he certainly can help us still this year. But yes, there is time…because he deserves to play football. Now. I’m not going to get into it more than that,” Schiano said.

“I’m just so disappointed in everyone involved. So you read into ‘everyone’ however you’d like. And if you want to look around, you figure out who ‘everyone’ is, but there’s some people that did the wrong thing.

“And you know what I’ve learned” I’m not the judge, but they will face the judge someday and what they did to that kid isn’t right. That’s not right.”

Brantley played for Western Illinois last year where he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.

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Rutgers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) will play on Saturday at Indiana (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten).

Rutgers football: Greg Schiano updates on Naseim Brantley’s status

Greg Schiano said things continue to grind on the NCAA front with regards to Naseim Brantley.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Naseim Brantley is still not eligible to play for Rutgers football as the transfer portal wide receiver remains in NCAA Purgatory.

Brantley joined Rutgers football in January out of Western Illinois. A season ago,  he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.

Brantley was one of two transfer portal additions at wide receiver for Rutgers. The other, JaQuae Jackson, has been very productive for the Scarlet Knights through the first four games of the season.

On Wednesday when asked for an update on Brantley, head coach Greg Schiano maintained that things are in a holding pattern.

“As far as Brantley will see you know, we’re there’s some things in the works,” Schiano said.

“We’ll see what happens.”

The aforementioned Jackson, a transfer out of Division II Cal, has certainly added something to the offense. He is second on the team in receiving yards and has shown an ability to get open down the field and be a playmaker.

On the season, Jackson has eight catches for 136 receiving yards.

 

Rutgers football: Naseim Brantley remains in NCAA purgatory

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano provides an update on Naseim Brantley.

PISCATAWAY, N.J.– The status of Rutgers football wide receiver remains very much uncertain and in doubt, with the NCAA yet to have cleared the transfer portal addition.

Brantley, who committed to Rutgers in January, was projected as a starter for Rutgers this fall. Last season, Brantley had a standout showing for Western Illinois where he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.

In speaking to the media two weeks ago, head coach Greg Schiano said that Brantley was in NCAA purgatory. Not much has changed as Rutgers continues to await the association’s ruling.

On Wednesday, Schiano was asked for an update on Brantley:

“I just hope that it works out the way it should. I’m not saying it because it’s our guy. The way it should I believe that if you look at it from a neutral standpoint, he should be allowed to play so hopefully that happens,” Schiano said.

“You know, it would be a shame if it didn’t. It’s not what the purpose of the rule the way it is. So without getting into too much hopefully it works itself out.”

Rutgers travels this weekend for a game at No. 2 Michigan.

Where do things stand with Naseim Brantley? Still in ‘NCAA Purgatory’

Rutgers football wide receiver Naseim Brantley remains in NCAA purgatory

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — There is no news yet about Rutgers football wide receiver Naseim Brantley’s eligibility status following his transfer this offseason.

Brantley, who committed to Rutgers in January, was a big part of what the Scarlet Knights were hoping to do on offense this fall. Brantley played for Western Illinois last year where he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.

Greg Schiano was asked about the status of Brantley heading into this weekend’s game against Virginia Tech.

“I don’t have clarity. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know,” Schiano said on Monday. “I don’t mind you asking. I wish I knew. But as soon as I do, you’ll know it.”

As a follow-up, Schiano was asked if the hold-up was due to the NCAA.

“NCAA purgatory, yes,” Schiano said.

On Saturday night in a 36-7 win over Temple, Rutgers got a major contribution from wide receiver JaQuae Jackson. An offseason addition out of the transfer portal, Jackson had a quiet season opener against Northwestern but broke out against Temple.

Jackson had four catches for 95 yards including a 61-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter.

Rutgers football’s Greg Schiano gives an update on Naseim Brantley

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano discusses Naseim Brantley’s abscence.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Naseim Brantley did not play on Sunday for Rutgers football in a situation that has Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano fuming. Rutgers started the season with a 24-7 win over Northwestern.

Schiano would not go into any details about Brantley or what the issue is, but he did say that it stems from an issue with the NCAA.

Brantley came to Rutgers this offseason via the transfer portal. Last season at Western Illinois, he had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. He was projected to be instant impact player for Rutgers, who lost talent such as wide receivers Aron Cruickshank and Sean Ryan over the offseason.

“Naseim has an issue, an NCAA issue, and I’m going to hold comment right now on about because I’m about fuming; you could fry an egg on my head with that whole situation,” Schiano said after his team’s win on Sunday.

“I’ll shut up before I get in trouble. (the Naseim situation) got me so mad, I lost track.”

Even without Brantley, the Rutgers offense looked solid and improved. They registered 20 first downs and 285 yards of total offense. It wasn’t prolific, but what stood out for Rutgers was no turnovers as well as 37:56 in time of possession.

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What NFL teams are at the Rutgers football game against Norhwestern?

Four NFL teams are in attendance for Sunday’s Big Ten opener for Rutgers football and Norhwestern.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football kicks off the 2023 season on Sunday at SHI Stadium when they host Northwestern. Four NFL teams have sent representation to be at the game.

Scouts from the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders are all in attendance for what is the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Notably, Terry Bradway, the former New York Jets general manager who is now working for the Carolina Panthers, is present at the game.

Rutgers have several players with NFL draft potential. Defensive end [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag], who made a splash at Big Ten Media Days, leads a group on defense that is athletic and talented. Lewis is looking to build on a strong 2022 season and cement himself as a top 100 selection in next spring’s draft.

Also very much in the mix on the defensive side of the ball to make the NFL are defensive back [autotag]Max Melton[/autotag] and linebackers [autotag]Tyreem Powell [/autotag]and [autotag]Mo Toure.[/autotag]

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On offense, left tackle [autotag]Hollin Pierce[/autotag] as well as wide receivers [autotag]Naseim Brantley [/autotag]as well as [autotag]JaQuae Jackson[/autotag] should all register strong NFL interest.

Naseim Brantley ranked among the top 20 wide receivers in the Big Ten

Naseim Brantley checks in as one of the Big Ten’s top ranked wide receivers.

Rutgers football seems to have landed an impact player in the Big Ten in Naseim Brantley. Brantley joins Rutgers via the transfer portal with the chance to be a top-tier wide receiver in the conference.

Brantley came to Rutgers this offseason at a position of need. He brings veteran experience and has the ability to be a game-changer for a Scarlet Knights offense that struggled last year.

An FCS All-American at Western Illinois, Brantley had 53 catches for 909 receiving yards with nine touchdowns last season. In 2022 against Minnesota, he had three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a loss at the Big Ten program.

In writing up his assessment of Brantley, College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn ranked the Rutgers wide receiver as the No. 12 player at his position in the Big Ten:

“He was among the top receivers in FCS and was named Newcomer of the Year for the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Brantley looks to prove himself at the Power Five level with Rutgers, a team that scored just 17.4 points per game which ranked No. 124 in the country.”

Brantley will look to help Rutgers offset the loss in production with the graduation of [autotag]Aron Cruickshank[/autotag], [autotag]Shameen Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Ryan[/autotag].

There is talent and potential for Rutgers at wide receiver, but it isn’t necessarily proven. A lot will be expected of Rashad Rochelle, coming off a true freshman season where he played wide receiver, running back and special teams, has the potential to be a breakout player this fall for Rutgers.

To read the full list from College Sports Wire, click here.

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