Impact players: Rutgers football places two in the top 75 of the transfer portal rankings
This offseason, Rutgers football didn’t just hit the transfer portal hard, they appear to have done so quite effectively.
Two of the newest Scarlet Knights are ranked in the top 75 of the 247 Sports Transfer Portal Rankings. It is welcome news for the rebuilding Rutgers team, who went 5-8 last season following a loss in the Gator Bowl.
Rutgers had a very strong recruiting class this past cycle, but they needed some veteran talent to help continue their progress from last season.
Wide receiver Taj Harris, a transfer from Syracuse via Kentucky, leads Rutgers football in the rankings at No. 58. Harris is a dynamic wide receiver with big-play potential.
Also placing highly is J.D. DiRenzo, who was No. 71. The offensive lineman, who can play at guard or offensive tackle, was an FCS All-American at Sacred Heart last year.
Both players are ranked as four-star transfers by 247Sports.
Related
Four-star Troy Bowles has his top eight programs, Rutgers football makes the cut
For some perspective, 247Sports ranked 101 players in the portal as four-star athletes.
Harris had a tremendous spring game for Rutgers football, with four catches for 44 yards including a first quarter touchdown catch off a pass from quarterback Noah Vedral.
Related
Rutgers newest punter Flynn Appleby might be an asset on defense (kidding, but the kid is tough)
The highest-ranked player to leave Rutgers? Offensive tackle Raiqwon O’Neal, who was ranked as a three-star at No. 146. Probably the best-performing offensive lineman for the Scarlet Knights the past two seasons, O’Neal transferred this offseason to UCLA.
Some familiar names that were linked to Rutgers football during the offseason:
Offensive lineman Miles Frazier – LSU (via FIU; No. 57, four-star)
Running back Jalen Berger – Michigan State (via Wisconsin; No. 101, three-star)
Offensive lineman Ryan Swoboda – UCF (via Virginia; No. 107; three-star)
