PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Led by Second Team All-America pick P Adam Korsak, six from Rutgers football were recognized in the Phil Steele postseason release. LS Billy Taylor joined Korsak as a First Team All-Big Ten honoree, while WR/KR Aron Cruickshank was selected as both a punt returner (second team) and a kickoff returner (fourth team). LB Olakunle Fatukasi, WR Bo Melton, DB Max Melton all garnered a spot on the fourth team.
 
Rutgers Football Phil Steele Postseason Honors
Second Team All-America: P Adam Korsak
First Team All-Big Ten: P Adam Korsak, LS Billy Taylor
Second Team All-Big Ten: PR Aron Cruickshank
Fourth Team All-Big Ten: KR Aron Cruickshank, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, WR Bo Melton, DB Max Melton



ADAM KORSAK
Korsak, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award and winner of the fan vote, helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.34, first nationally and on pace to set a new NCAA record. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 67-of-70 attempts, with 63 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 37 inside the 20 with 15 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. The Aussie boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.9 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 122 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. This is his fourth Second Team All-America honor, also receiving the distinction from the Associated Press, FWAA and Walter Camp to mark the highest national honors for a Scarlet Knight since 2012. Korsak additionally earned the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team at the Rutgers football banquet.

BILLY TAYLOR
Taylor took over the starting long snapper position as a true freshman and served in the role for a school-record 57 consecutive games. Joining the program during training camp in 2017, he was a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding football player who began as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Taylor also earned a spot on the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list as one of the top long snappers nationally. The Parsippany, New Jersey, native was a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, helped Rutgers set a school record for net punt in each of the last four years and is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. He earned an invitation to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 3 in Las Vegas.

ARON CRUICKSHANK
Cruickshank recorded 153 yards on eight punt returns, including a 62-yard touchdown versus Delaware. The performance helped earn Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Cruickshank added 55 yards on two punt returns versus Temple. He ripped off a season-best 57-yard kickoff return against the Owls as well. Overall, the New York native finished second on the Scarlet Knights with 743 all-purpose yards (316 kickoff return, 244 receiving, 153 punt return, 30 rushing) in seven games played. Cruickshank owns five career kick return touchdowns (four kickoff, one punt).

OLAKUNLE FATUKASI
A semifinalist for the Butkus Award as one of the top linebackers in the nation, Fatukasi ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 9.9 tackles per game. That included a season-high 13 stops versus Northwestern and Syracuse with four games in double figures overall in 2021. The New York native claimed the Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a performance with four tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in the win over Temple. Overall, he posted team highs with 89 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss, along with two forced fumbles and two pass breakups in nine games, earning Third Team All-Big Ten in the media vote. Fatukasi's 302 career tackles ranks 12th in program history.

BO MELTON
Melton recorded 55 receptions for 618 yards on the season, totaling a team-best 823 all-purpose yards (618 receiving, 116 kickoff return, 51 rushing, 38 punt return). The wide receiver had six games with at least five catches and posted two games of at least 100 receiving yards with a high of 125 versus Delaware. The New Jersey native finishes his career ranked sixth in the school record book with 164 career receptions and 10th with 2,011 yards. A member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list, the two-time captain played in 56 career games for the Scarlet Knights, accepted an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and earned MVP – Offense at the Rutgers football banquet.

MAX MELTON
Melton earns his first postseason honor after starting nine games at cornerback for the Scarlet Knights in 2021. He led the team with three interceptions, including a pick-six in the season opener versus Temple. The New Jersey native totaled 23 tackles with two for a loss, adding five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. In the win at Syracuse, Melton blocked a punt.

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