Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
Bo Melton: Ready for More
Aug 13 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – After he established himself as one of the top playmakers in the Big Ten Conference last fall, wide receiver Bo Melton had every opportunity to explore a professional football career this spring.
Instead, he is focused on improving his game while helping Rutgers football continue its rise under head coach Greg Schiano.
"I just want to continue to work on my awareness and explosiveness on the field," Melton said. "Every year I want to progress and be better than the previous year. That has always been my goal, and I feel the best I have ever felt."
His optimistic outlook for 2021 can be backed up by his past production. Melton enjoyed a breakout season last fall, as he hauled in 47 catches for 638 yards along with nine touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing and one punt return). Melton earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in the media and coaches' poll and helped the Scarlet Knights to three Big Ten wins in 2020 – matching a program record.
Melton totaled five games with at least 100 all-purpose yards, three games scoring multiple touchdowns and two games in triple-figure receiving yards. He registered a first down or touchdown on 27 catches, with 10 receptions picking up at least 20 yards.
Melton's ability has earned him national recognition, as he landed on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, which recognizes the nation's top FBS pass catcher. Melton also collected Big Ten preseason honors from several media outlets ahead of the Scarlet Knights' first game against Temple on Sept. 2 at SHI Stadium.
Part of what separates the Mays Landing, New Jersey, native from many of his peers in the Big Ten is his versatility. Along with his six touchdown receptions last year, Melton rushed for two scores in RU's overtime win at Maryland and added a 58-yard punt return for a score at No. 3 Ohio State.
"I take a lot of pride in being a versatile player," Melton said. "I never want to be in the same spot. Being versatile is my game."
Melton was quick to point out another reason for his success – his teammates. Melton said dynamic wideouts like Aron Cruickshank and Shameen Jones allowed for more opportunities to make plays, which he took full advantage of.
All three will be available this season, making the unit one of the strongest and experienced on the roster. Rutgers returns its top five wideouts in terms of receptions and yards from a year ago, as RU's receivers combined for 55 more receptions, totaled 439 more receiving yards and collected five more touchdowns in 2020 despite playing in three fewer games than in 2019.
"Our chemistry is unbelievable," Melton said. "We're close whether on the field or off of it. Between our group texts and just hanging at one of our houses, we're constantly interacting with one another. To be as close as we are off the field as we are on it is tremendous. Coach Schiano preaches 'Family. Trust. Chop.' Our unit is truly like a family."
Melton credits four-year RU letterwinner and second-year wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood for the group's improvement. A standout for Schiano from 2005-08, Underwood still holds the program record for receiving yards in a game and spent five seasons in the NFL before his return to the coaching ranks.
It also helps that Melton, his teammates and Underwood can all share stories on what it is like to play for Schiano.
"He went through the same process, so we're able to relate," Melton said. "Coach Wood would do anything for you and will go out of his way for you. On the field, he just wants you to be the best. You can just tell by his work ethic that he just has that edge to him. He's done a tremendous job with me and the rest of our guys. He's given us more juice for sure."
Rated one of the top 30 returning players in the conference by the Big Ten Network, Melton understands the expectations associated with last year's success. For now, he just focused on what he can control, which begins this summer at training camp.
"With everything that has gone on, we're just really excited," Melton said. "We're plan to make strides every day leading into the season opener."
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Instead, he is focused on improving his game while helping Rutgers football continue its rise under head coach Greg Schiano.
"I just want to continue to work on my awareness and explosiveness on the field," Melton said. "Every year I want to progress and be better than the previous year. That has always been my goal, and I feel the best I have ever felt."
His optimistic outlook for 2021 can be backed up by his past production. Melton enjoyed a breakout season last fall, as he hauled in 47 catches for 638 yards along with nine touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing and one punt return). Melton earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in the media and coaches' poll and helped the Scarlet Knights to three Big Ten wins in 2020 – matching a program record.
Melton totaled five games with at least 100 all-purpose yards, three games scoring multiple touchdowns and two games in triple-figure receiving yards. He registered a first down or touchdown on 27 catches, with 10 receptions picking up at least 20 yards.
Melton's ability has earned him national recognition, as he landed on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, which recognizes the nation's top FBS pass catcher. Melton also collected Big Ten preseason honors from several media outlets ahead of the Scarlet Knights' first game against Temple on Sept. 2 at SHI Stadium.
Part of what separates the Mays Landing, New Jersey, native from many of his peers in the Big Ten is his versatility. Along with his six touchdown receptions last year, Melton rushed for two scores in RU's overtime win at Maryland and added a 58-yard punt return for a score at No. 3 Ohio State.
"I take a lot of pride in being a versatile player," Melton said. "I never want to be in the same spot. Being versatile is my game."
Melton was quick to point out another reason for his success – his teammates. Melton said dynamic wideouts like Aron Cruickshank and Shameen Jones allowed for more opportunities to make plays, which he took full advantage of.
All three will be available this season, making the unit one of the strongest and experienced on the roster. Rutgers returns its top five wideouts in terms of receptions and yards from a year ago, as RU's receivers combined for 55 more receptions, totaled 439 more receiving yards and collected five more touchdowns in 2020 despite playing in three fewer games than in 2019.
"Our chemistry is unbelievable," Melton said. "We're close whether on the field or off of it. Between our group texts and just hanging at one of our houses, we're constantly interacting with one another. To be as close as we are off the field as we are on it is tremendous. Coach Schiano preaches 'Family. Trust. Chop.' Our unit is truly like a family."
Melton credits four-year RU letterwinner and second-year wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood for the group's improvement. A standout for Schiano from 2005-08, Underwood still holds the program record for receiving yards in a game and spent five seasons in the NFL before his return to the coaching ranks.
It also helps that Melton, his teammates and Underwood can all share stories on what it is like to play for Schiano.
"He went through the same process, so we're able to relate," Melton said. "Coach Wood would do anything for you and will go out of his way for you. On the field, he just wants you to be the best. You can just tell by his work ethic that he just has that edge to him. He's done a tremendous job with me and the rest of our guys. He's given us more juice for sure."
Rated one of the top 30 returning players in the conference by the Big Ten Network, Melton understands the expectations associated with last year's success. For now, he just focused on what he can control, which begins this summer at training camp.
"With everything that has gone on, we're just really excited," Melton said. "We're plan to make strides every day leading into the season opener."
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Players Mentioned
Head Coach Greg Schiano Spring Press Conference - 04/11/26
Saturday, April 11
Linebackers Coach Elijah Hodge - 04/09/26
Thursday, April 09
Special Teams Coordinator Eddie Allen - 04/09/26
Thursday, April 09
Rush Ends Coach Joe Woodley - 04/07/26
Tuesday, April 07
