PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano announced the signings of 21 student-athletes to the 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday.

• Eight different states are represented in the class, led by six players from New Jersey. Florida is next with five, followed by four from New York. Georgia, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas all have one signee.
• Rutgers signed the top recruit in New York (Ian Strong) according to 247Sports for the second consecutive year. Moses Walker claimed the top spot for the 2022 class.
• Djibril Abdou Rahman is set to become the fourth Canadian added to the roster, joining Wesley Bailey, Dariel Djabome and Rene Konga.
• The class has four offensive linemen and defensive backs, with three wide receivers, two defensive linemen and linebackers and a pair listed as athlete. Long snapper, quarterback, running back and tight end are represented with one signee each.
 

NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	HOMETOWN	HIGH SCHOOL
Ja'shon Benjamin	RB	5-9	195	Pahokee, Fla.	Pahokee
Logan Blake	TE	6-6	225	Frenchtown, N.J.	The Hun School
Dylan Braithwaite	WR	5-10	175	Valley Stream, N.Y.	Holy Trinity
Flip Dixon	DB	6-2	210	Statesboro, Ga.	Southeast Bulloch
Jake Eldridge	LS	6-1	210	Colleyville, Texas	IMG Academy [Fla.]
Davoun Fuse	LB	6-4	200	Washington, Pa.	Washington
Deondre Johnson	ATH	6-8	200	Newburgh, N.Y.	Newburgh Free Academy
Bo Mascoe	DB	5-11	175	Kissimmee, Fla.	Osceola
Vilay Nakkoun Jr.	WR	5-11	180	Orlando, Fla.	Orlando Christian Prep
Jesse Ofurie	ATH	6-2	200	Salem, Mass.	St. John's Prep
Nick Oliveira	OL	6-5	285	Mullica Hill, N.J.	Clearview
JaSiré Peterson	DL	6-4	285	Union City, N.J.	Union City
Djibril Abdou Rahman	DL	6-4	240	Montréal, Québec, Canada	Cégep du Vieux
Dominic Rivera	OL	6-8	310	Olmsted Falls, Ohio	Olmsted Falls
Eric Rogers	DB	6-2	180	Burlington, N.J.	Burlington Township
Ajani Sheppard	QB	6-3	230	Bronx, N.Y.	Iona Prep
John Stone	OL	6-3	285	Sewell, N.J.	Washington Township
Ian Strong	DB	6-4	190	Coram, N.Y.	St. Anthony's
Famah Toure	WR	6-4	195	Pleasantville, N.J.	Irvington
Mozell Williams	OL	6-6	340	Gainesville, Fla.	Hawthorne
Abram Wright	LB	6-2	225	Jacksonville, Fla.	Fleming Island

Ja'shon Benjamin
RB • 5-9 • 195
Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Emmanuel Hendrix at Pahokee … played running back and defensive back during scholastic career … helped the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record and appearance in FHSAA Regional Final as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with 1,312 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry … also caught 30 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns ... a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN ... also a standout track athlete for Pahokee, competing in the Florida 1A state track meet in the 4x100 relay.


Logan Blake
TE • 6-6 • 225
Frenchtown, N.J./The Hun School

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Todd Smith at The Hun School … played tight end and linebacker during scholastic career … helped the Raiders to a 9-0 record and second straight Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with 11 receptions for 257 yards and four touchdowns ... named First Team All-MAPL, First Team All-NJ Prep A and First Team Northeast Prep League … a consensus three-star prospect … rated as the top tight end in New Jersey by both 247Sports and Rivals.


Dylan Braithwaite
WR • 5-10 • 175
Valley Stream, N.Y./Holy Trinity

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Kahmal Roy at Holy Trinity … played wide receiver and defensive back during scholastic career … helped the Titans to a 9-1 record and CHSFL AA-1 Intersectional championship as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with nine catches for 237 yards and four touchdowns in three games played … had 30 receptions for 701 yards and nine touchdowns, while also contributing 173 punt return yards as a junior in 2021 … a consensus three-star prospect … the No. 2 overall prospect in New York by ESPN … top wide receiver recruit and No. 7 overall player in the Empire State by 247Sports.


Flip Dixon
DB • 6-2 • 210
Statesboro, Ga./Southeast Bulloch

Career: Played in 30 games the past three seasons at Minnesota … made six starts … totaled 45 tackles with 1.5 for loss, three pass breakups and an interception … a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

2022 (Sophomore at Minnesota): Played in 12 games with five starts in the secondary … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time … totaled 28 tackles with 1.5 for loss and three pass breakups … tied for the team lead with seven stops in the win over Wisconsin (11/26) … notched four tackles and broke up one pass against Northwestern (11/12) … in on two stops at No. 16 Penn State (10/22) … recorded four tackles and one tackle-for-loss at No. 24 Illinois (10/15) … picked up two tackles in games versus Purdue (10/1) and at Michigan State (9/24) … had two pass breakups and two stops against Colorado (9/17) … recorded two tackles in the season opener versus New Mexico State (9/1).

2021 (Freshman at Minnesota): Played in all 13 games with one start in the secondary … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list … totaled 12 tackles and one interception … hauled in first interception versus West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (12/28) … collected seven tackles in start against Miami (Ohio) (9/11).

2020 (Freshman at Minnesota): Played in five games … totaled five tackles … had two stops at Wisconsin (12/19) … in on three stops versus Iowa (11/13) … made collegiate debut in win over Illinois (11/7).

Prior to College: Played at Southeast Bulloch High School … named all-region in 2017, 2018 and 2019 … recorded 47 tackles, three interceptions (returned two for touchdowns) and six pass breakups as a senior … added 201 receiving yards and three touchdowns … a consensus three-star recruit … ranked as the No. 56 safety in the nation and No. 75 prospect in Georgia by 247Sports … uncle, Willie Gibson, played college football at the University of the Cumberlands.


Jake Eldridge
LS • 6-1 • 210
Colleyville, Texas/IMG Academy [Fla.]

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Ben Bartlett at IMG Academy … played long snapper during scholastic career … served as a team captain and helped the Ascenders to an 8-1 record playing a national schedule as a senior in 2022 … a three-star prospect and top long snapper in the country by 247Sports … rated as a five-star long snapper and ranked second at his position nationally by Rubio Long Snapping.


Davoun Fuse
LB • 6-4 • 200
Washington, Pa./Washington

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Mike Bosnic at Washington … played quarterback and defensive back during scholastic career … helped the Prexies to a 7-5 record and a WPIAL 2A quarterfinals appearance as a senior in 2022 … a 2022 preseason conference all-star selection … threw 11 touchdowns and ran for 12 scores as a junior in 2021 … an all-conference selection and Class2A Century Conference MVP as a junior … a consensus three-star prospect … a top-25 prospect in Pennsylvania by both 247Sports and ESPN … also plays basketball and runs track at Washington.


Deondre Johnson
ATH • 6-8 • 200
Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Bill Bianco at Newburgh Free Academy … played wide receiver and linebacker during scholastic career … helped the Goldbacks to a 10-3 record and appearance in NYS Class AA State Championship game as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with 27 receptions for 629 yards and eight touchdowns … added 25 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns on the ground … collected 20 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup in three games on defense … won a Class AA state title as a junior in 2021 … earned first team all-state honors and was named Section IX Player of the Year … finished junior season with 15 touchdowns and 54 tackles ... a consensus three-star prospect … No. 4 recruit in New York by ESPN … the top athlete prospect in the Empire State by 247Sports ... also an all-state selection in basketball.


Bo Mascoe
DB • 5-11 • 175
Kissimmee, Fla./Osceola

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Eric Pinellas at Osceola … played wide receiver and defensive back during scholastic career … helped the Kowboys to a 10-4 record and first-place finish in 4S District 10, with an appearance in the state semifinals as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with three interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown ... had six passes defended, 65 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … caught 12 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns on offense … grabbed seven interceptions as a junior, returning two for touchdowns … added 11 passes defended and 41 total tackles with a fumble returned for a touchdown and returned a kickoff for a score … named First Team Class 8A All-State ... a consensus three-star prospect … the No. 63 cornerback prospect in the country by ESPN ... also ran track and field for Osceola, competing in the 100-yard dash and 4x100 relay.


Vilay Nakkoun Jr.
WR • 5-11 • 180
Orlando, Fla./Orlando Christian Prep

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Guerschom Demosthenes at Orlando Christian Prep … played quarterback and defensive back during scholastic career … helped the Warriors to six wins and a first-place finish in 1M District 2 as a senior in 2022 … served as a team captain … finished senior season with 708 passing yards and six touchdowns in the air … also averaged 12.2 yards per carry with 550 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground … a FACA 1M District 11 all-district selection ... threw for 1,305 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior in 2021, adding 344 yards on the ground with six rushing touchdowns … led team to an 11-2 record in 2021 ... a consensus three-star prospect.


Jesse Ofurie
ATH • 6-2 • 200
Salem, Mass./St. John's Prep

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Brian St. Pierre at St. John's Prep … played wide receiver and defensive back for the Eagles … helped St. John's Prep to an 11-2 record and an MIAA state title in 2022 … named a Catholic Conference All-Star as a senior … earned honorable mention all-state accolades by MHSFCA as a junior in 2021 … a consensus three-star recruit … pegged the top wide receiver prospect and No. 8 overall recruit in Massachusetts by ESPN … the No. 10 overall signee from Massachusetts by both 247Sports and Rivals … also competed in track and field at St. John's Prep.


Nick Oliveira
OL • 6-5 • 285
Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Stephen Duncan at Clearview … played offensive and defensive tackle for the Pioneers … finished high school career with 87 pancake blocks on offense and 47 tackles, two sacks and two tackles-for-loss on defense … did not concede a sack during both junior and senior seasons … first team all-group and second team all-state by NJ.com … also voted all-area by the South Jersey Times ... helped Clearview to a NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV semifinal appearance as a junior in 2021 … first team all-conference, first team all-group, second team all-state as a junior by NJ.com … a consensus three-star recruit … No. 2 offensive tackle prospect in New Jersey and No. 10 overall recruit in the Garden State by 247 Sports … a top-20 signee in the state by both ESPN and Rivals.


JaSiré Peterson
DL • 6-4 • 285
Union City, N.J./Union City

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Wil Valdez at Union City … played offensive and defensive line for the Soaring Eagles … helped Union City to a 9-2 record in 2022 and an appearance in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section I, Group V title game as a senior … finished senior season with 52 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … first-team all-group, first team all-division and second team all-state by NJ.com as a senior … also first team all-division on both sides of the ball by The Bergen Record … a second team all-division pick as a junior by NJ.com … a four-star signee and No. 4 overall player in New Jersey by 247Sports … a three-star signee and No. 9 rated recruit in the Garden State by Rivals … the No. 11 overall player in New Jersey and a three-star prospect by ESPN … high school teammate of current Rutgers football player Nelson Monegro.


Djibril Abdou Rahman
DL • 6-4 • 240
Montréal, Québec, Canada/Cégep du Vieux

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Renaldo Sagesse at Cégep du Vieux … played defensive line for the Spartans during scholastic career … picked up seven sacks, 12 tackles-for-loss, forced three fumbles, recovered one and deflected a pair of passes as a senior … named to 2022 Football Collegial Division 1 All-Star Team for the performance … helped the Spartans to a 6-2 record as a junior in 2021.


Dominic Rivera
OL • 6-8 • 310
Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by James Ryan at Olmsted Falls … played offensive tackle for the Bulldogs … helped Olmsted Falls to a 10-3 record and an OHSAA state semifinal appearance … an OHSAA First Team All-Ohio selection … a consensus three-star signee … a top-30 recruit in Ohio by ESPN.


Eric Rogers
DB • 6-2 • 180
Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township

Career: Played in 15 games with 11 starts at cornerback for Northern Illinois the past two seasons … totaled 43 tackles with two interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

2022 (Sophomore at Northern Illinois): Played in 10 games with six starts at cornerback … collected 17 tackles with one for loss and six passes defended … had two tackles in games against Akron (11/26), Miami (Ohio) (11/16) and Central Michigan (11/2) … registered two pass breakups at Ohio (10/22) … in on three stops versus Eastern Michigan (10/15) and Toledo (10/8) … knocked away a pass against Vanderbilt (9/17) … recorded two interceptions and a tackle-for-loss in the opener versus Eastern Illinois (9/1) … named MAC West Division Player of the Week following the performance.

2021 (Freshman at Northern Illinois): Started the first five games at cornerback before suffering a season-ending injury … totaled 26 tackles … posted four tackles in games versus Eastern Michigan (10/2), Maine (9/25) and No. 25 Michigan (9/18) … had seven stops against Wyoming (9/11) … recovered a fumble and totaled seven tackles at Georgia Tech (9/4).

2020 (Freshman at Northern Illinois): Did not see game action.

Prior to College: A three-year letterwinner at Burlington … a first team all-conference selection in 2019 and second team all-conference honoree in 2018 … the 45th-ranked recruit in the NJ.com Top 50 … selected as team captain as a senior … made 60 tackles with one for loss and three pass breakups in 2019 … contributed 11 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns on offense … added an average of 19.8 yards on eight punt returns … totaled 48 tackles, one interception, 13 pass breakups and a fumble recovery as a junior to help the Falcons to a 10-1 record and a conference championship … born in Hackensack, New Jersey.


Ajani Sheppard
QB • 6-3 • 230
Bronx, N.Y./Iona Prep

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Joe Spagnola at Iona Prep … played quarterback for the Gaels … led Iona Prep to a 9-3 record, a 6-1 mark in Catholic AAA league action and a NYCCHSFL AAA title game appearance as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season 150-of-242 for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns … also added 142 carries for 1,291 yards and 11 scores on the ground … threw for 2,357 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,041 yards and 16 scores as a junior in 2021 … CHSFL First Team All-State Class AA Co-Player of the Year by the New York Sportswriters Association as a junior … a three-star signal caller and No. 6 overall prospect in New York by ESPN … a three-star signee and No. 9 player in the Empire State by 247Sports … first Power 5 quarterback signee from Westchester County in 28 years.


John Stone
OL • 6-3 • 285
Sewell, N.J./Washington Township

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Michael Schatzman at Washington Township … played offensive and defensive line for the Minutemen … led Washington Township to five wins in 2022 and an appearance in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group V playoffs … helped the Minutemen rush for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns during senior season … registered 45 pancake blocks and graded out to a 95 percent block efficiency in 2022 … first team all-group and second team all-state by NJ.com … First Team All-South Jersey by The Courier-Post … second team all-state by USA Today … a first team all-division and second-team all-group pick as a junior in 2021 by NJ.com … a consensus three-star signee … the No. 14 overall player in New Jersey by ESPN … a top three interior lineman in the Garden State by 247Sports … the No. 16 player in the state by Rivals … also a standout heavyweight wrestler at Washington Township and became an NJSIAA state qualifier as a junior in 2022.


Ian Strong
DB • 6-4 • 190
Coram, N.Y./St. Anthony's

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Rich Reichert at St. Anthony's … played wide receiver and defensive back for the Friars … helped St. Anthony's to an 11-1 record in 2022 and a New York CHSFL AAA championship as a senior … team finished ranked No. 1 in New York according to MaxPreps … ended senior season with 30 catches for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns … added 80 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and a blocked kick on defense … NYCHSFL AAA Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-league … collected 29 tackles and two interceptions as a junior in 2021 … a three-star signee and No. 1 overall player in New York by 247Sports … a top-10 player in the Empire State and a three-star recruit by ESPN … also plays basketball at St. Anthony's.


Famah Toure
WR • 6-4 • 195
Pleasantville, N.J./Irvington

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Ashley Pierre at Irvington … versatile player who appeared primarily at wide receiver and along the defensive line for the Knights … helped Irvington to an 8-3 record and an NJSIAA North Jersey, Section I, Group IV semifinal appearance as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with 95 carries for 720 yards and 10 touchdowns with another 351 receiving yards and three scoring receptions … also completed five passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns … tallied 37 tackles, 14 sacks, nine tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble on defense … fourteen sacks were tied for ninth in the state in 2022 … first team all-state, all-group and all-division on defense by NJ.com … first team all-state by USA Today ... also an all-conference pick as a junior by NJ.com … a consensus three-star recruit … No. 15 overall signee from New Jersey by Rivals … a top-three wide receiver in the Garden State by 247Sports … also plays basketball at Irvington … brother, Mohamed Toure, is currently in his fourth year with the program and has appeared in 24 career games for the Scarlet Knights.


Mozell Williams
OL • 6-6 • 340
Gainesville, Fla./Hawthorne

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Cornelius Ingram at Hawthorne … played offensive tackle for the Hornets … helped Hawthorne to a perfect 12-0 record and a FHSAA I Rural state title as a senior in 2022 … an honorable mention Class IA All-State selection as a junior in 2021 … a consensus three-star recruit … a top-150 offensive tackle signee in the country by 247Sports.


Abram Wright
LB • 6-2 • 225
Jacksonville, Fla./Fleming Island

Prior to Rutgers: Coached by Damenyum Springs at Fleming Island … played linebacker for the Golden Eagles … helped Fleming Island to five wins as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season with 54 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, five passes defended, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks … a first team all-county selection at linebacker by the Clay County Coaches … added 76 tackles, seven sacks and an interception as a junior in 2021 … a consensus three-star recruit … the No. 56 outside linebacker prospect in the country by ESPN … also competed in track and field at Fleming Island.

Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball & @RutgersFBfans), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.