Nine Scarlet Knights Named to Shrine Bowl 1000
Jul 13 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football has nine representatives on the Shrine Bowl 1000 released Wednesday. The list is a collection of the top 1,000 all-star game eligible players at the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA levels, and serves as an early look into the scouting process ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Scarlet Knights saw five players sign with NFL teams this offseason: WR Bo Melton (Seahawks, seventh round), RB Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs, seventh round), LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams (Chargers), LB Olakunle Fatukasi (Buccaneers) and DB Tre Avery (Titans).
KESSAWN ABRAHAM
Starting 12 games at cornerback, Abraham recorded nine pass breakups with 44 tackles last season and was voted the team's MVP – Defense. He collected three tackles-for-loss, including one on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter at Illinois to help seal the victory. The New York native returned a blocked PAT 85 yards for a defensive two-point conversion against Maryland. Abraham posted a season-high seven tackles versus Ohio State and broke up two passes each in games versus Wake Forest, Northwestern and Delaware. He was graded out as First Team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.
MAYAN AHANOTU
Ahanotu is set for his third season with the Scarlet Knights after playing in 22 games with 10 starts on the defensive line the previous two years. In 2021, the Florida native collected multiple stops in seven games and had a strip sack in the road win over Syracuse. Ahanotu also had a tackle-for-loss versus Maryland and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
ARON CRUICKSHANK
Cruickshank recorded 743 all-purpose yards (316 kickoff return, 244 receiving, 153 punt return, 30 rushing) in seven games last season. That included 20 receptions with receiving touchdowns against Michigan State and Ohio State, plus a 62-yard punt return score versus Delaware that helped earn Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Cruickshank owns five career kick return touchdowns (four kickoff, one punt).
TAJ HARRIS
Harris is set for his first season at Rutgers, playing in 37 games with 32 starts at wide receiver the previous four years at Syracuse. He has totaled 151 career receptions for 2,028 yards and 10 touchdowns, collecting five 100-yard receiving games and 21 games with at least 50 receiving yards. The Beverly, New Jersey, native was named Third Team All-ACC in 2020 after ranking fifth in the league in receptions per game (5.8) and sixth in receiving yards per game (73.3).
CHRISTIAN IZIEN
Named honorable mention All-Big Ten each of the last two seasons, Izien started all 13 games with 75 tackles in 2021. That included at least five stops in 10 games, contributing nine tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups. The New York native posted a season-high 10 stops versus Michigan State with three in the backfield. In 38 career games, Izien has racked up 219 tackles with 15 passes defended (11 pass breakups, four interceptions) and three fumble recoveries.
ADAM KORSAK
Named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press, FWAA, Phil Steele and Walter Camp in 2021, Korsak helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.25 last season to set a new NCAA record. The Aussie was voted a Ray Guy Award finalist, winning the fan vote, to become the first Scarlet Knight to place in the top-three for a national on-field award since 2007. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 69-of-72 attempts, with 65 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 38 inside the 20 with 16 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. He boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.8 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 124 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. Korsak additionally earned the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team.
IFEANYI MAIJEH
Maijeh played in all 13 games with four starts on the defensive line in his first season as a Scarlet Knight in 2021. The Far Rockaway, New York, native had seven games with multiple stops, including two tackles-for-loss in the road win at Syracuse. He added three passes batted down, a blocked extra point, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Maijeh previously earned First Team All-American Athletic Conference for Temple in 2019.
SEAN RYAN
Ryan joins the Scarlet Knights with 41 games and 22 starts of experience. The Brooklyn native owns 81 career receptions for 1,044 yards and four touchdowns. In 2021 at West Virginia, he totaled 25 catches for 399 yards. Overall, Ryan has played in three previous bowl games.
AVERY YOUNG
Young moved to safety last season and ranked second on the team with 81 tackles, posting at least seven stops in eight games. The Pennsylvania native added two sacks with an interception, pass breakup and forced fumble. The performance earned a spot on the All-ECAC Defense. In 45 career games, Young has totaled 242 tackles with 21 passes defended and four forced fumbles.
Season tickets are on sale for the full six-game home slate at SHI Stadium this fall, which features five Big Ten opponents. Click here for more information on season tickets and to purchase. For each season ticket purchased, fans receive a free, exclusive season ticket holder t-shirt.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball & @RutgersFBfans), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
The Scarlet Knights saw five players sign with NFL teams this offseason: WR Bo Melton (Seahawks, seventh round), RB Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs, seventh round), LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams (Chargers), LB Olakunle Fatukasi (Buccaneers) and DB Tre Avery (Titans).
KESSAWN ABRAHAM
Starting 12 games at cornerback, Abraham recorded nine pass breakups with 44 tackles last season and was voted the team's MVP – Defense. He collected three tackles-for-loss, including one on a fourth down late in the fourth quarter at Illinois to help seal the victory. The New York native returned a blocked PAT 85 yards for a defensive two-point conversion against Maryland. Abraham posted a season-high seven tackles versus Ohio State and broke up two passes each in games versus Wake Forest, Northwestern and Delaware. He was graded out as First Team All-Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.
MAYAN AHANOTU
Ahanotu is set for his third season with the Scarlet Knights after playing in 22 games with 10 starts on the defensive line the previous two years. In 2021, the Florida native collected multiple stops in seven games and had a strip sack in the road win over Syracuse. Ahanotu also had a tackle-for-loss versus Maryland and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
ARON CRUICKSHANK
Cruickshank recorded 743 all-purpose yards (316 kickoff return, 244 receiving, 153 punt return, 30 rushing) in seven games last season. That included 20 receptions with receiving touchdowns against Michigan State and Ohio State, plus a 62-yard punt return score versus Delaware that helped earn Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. Cruickshank owns five career kick return touchdowns (four kickoff, one punt).
TAJ HARRIS
Harris is set for his first season at Rutgers, playing in 37 games with 32 starts at wide receiver the previous four years at Syracuse. He has totaled 151 career receptions for 2,028 yards and 10 touchdowns, collecting five 100-yard receiving games and 21 games with at least 50 receiving yards. The Beverly, New Jersey, native was named Third Team All-ACC in 2020 after ranking fifth in the league in receptions per game (5.8) and sixth in receiving yards per game (73.3).
CHRISTIAN IZIEN
Named honorable mention All-Big Ten each of the last two seasons, Izien started all 13 games with 75 tackles in 2021. That included at least five stops in 10 games, contributing nine tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups. The New York native posted a season-high 10 stops versus Michigan State with three in the backfield. In 38 career games, Izien has racked up 219 tackles with 15 passes defended (11 pass breakups, four interceptions) and three fumble recoveries.
ADAM KORSAK
Named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press, FWAA, Phil Steele and Walter Camp in 2021, Korsak helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.25 last season to set a new NCAA record. The Aussie was voted a Ray Guy Award finalist, winning the fan vote, to become the first Scarlet Knight to place in the top-three for a national on-field award since 2007. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 69-of-72 attempts, with 65 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 38 inside the 20 with 16 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. He boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.8 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 124 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019 and was voted First Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. Korsak additionally earned the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team.
IFEANYI MAIJEH
Maijeh played in all 13 games with four starts on the defensive line in his first season as a Scarlet Knight in 2021. The Far Rockaway, New York, native had seven games with multiple stops, including two tackles-for-loss in the road win at Syracuse. He added three passes batted down, a blocked extra point, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Maijeh previously earned First Team All-American Athletic Conference for Temple in 2019.
SEAN RYAN
Ryan joins the Scarlet Knights with 41 games and 22 starts of experience. The Brooklyn native owns 81 career receptions for 1,044 yards and four touchdowns. In 2021 at West Virginia, he totaled 25 catches for 399 yards. Overall, Ryan has played in three previous bowl games.
AVERY YOUNG
Young moved to safety last season and ranked second on the team with 81 tackles, posting at least seven stops in eight games. The Pennsylvania native added two sacks with an interception, pass breakup and forced fumble. The performance earned a spot on the All-ECAC Defense. In 45 career games, Young has totaled 242 tackles with 21 passes defended and four forced fumbles.
Season tickets are on sale for the full six-game home slate at SHI Stadium this fall, which features five Big Ten opponents. Click here for more information on season tickets and to purchase. For each season ticket purchased, fans receive a free, exclusive season ticket holder t-shirt.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball & @RutgersFBfans), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
Rutgers Baseball vs. Ohio State Highlights | 4/26/2026
Sunday, April 26
Head Coach Greg Schiano Spring Press Conference - 04/25/26
Saturday, April 25
Wide Receivers Coach Dave Brock - 04/23/26
Thursday, April 23
Associate Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Damiere Shaw - 04/23/26
Thursday, April 23
