PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following the NFL Draft, six from Rutgers football are set to sign NFL contracts and participate in upcoming rookie minicamps. The group joins Christian Braswell, drafted in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the newest NFL Knights. Overall, this makes it 97 Scarlet Knights to join the NFL after playing for head coach Greg Schiano.

In addition, both Shameen Jones and Keenan Reid earned an invitation to compete at the New York Jets' rookie minicamp.

DRAFT
DB Christian Braswell: Jacksonville Jaguars (sixth round, pick 202)

SIGNINGS
WR Aron Cruickshank: Chicago Bears
OL J.D. DiRenzo: Carolina Panthers
DB Christian Izien: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DL Ifeanyi Maijeh: Seattle Seahawks
WR Sean Ryan: Baltimore Ravens
DB Avery Young: San Francisco 49ers

ROOKIE MINICAMP INVITE
WR Shameen Jones: New York Jets
DB Keenan Reid: New York Jets


ARON CRUICKSHANK – CHICAGO BEARS
Earning various All-Big Ten recognitions in each of the last four years, Cruickshank totaled 4,042 career all-purpose yards (2,564 kickoff return, 908 receiving, 360 rushing, 210 punt return) in 55 collegiate games. The New York native scored 13 touchdowns (five receiving, four kickoff return, three rushing, one punt return), including two on kickoff returns in 2020 to earn the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and honorable mention All-America status from Phil Steele.

Often kicked away from by opponents, Cruickshank averaged 20.6 yards on 18 kickoff returns in 2022 and was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list with team-highs in all-purpose yards (913) and receptions (42). He suffered a season-ending injury in 2021, previously scoring a 75-yard receiving touchdown versus Ohio State and ripping off a 62-yard punt return score versus Delaware. In 2020, Cruickshank ranked fourth nationally and first in the Big Ten with 671 combined kick return yards to earn the conference's top honor for returns. His 1,357 kickoff return yards the past three seasons rank sixth in Rutgers history.


J.D. DIRENZO – CAROLINA PANTHERS
DiRenzo started all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights in his lone season with the program in 2022, including nine at left guard and three at left tackle. He helped RU rush for 212 yards in the season-opening win at Boston College that saw the offense put together a go-ahead, 96-yard drive all on the ground. Then versus Indiana, the unit allowed no sacks and held the ball for 38:53 in the victory.

DiRenzo moved to left tackle at Michigan State as the offense totaled 460 yards, most against a Big Ten opponent in regulation since 2015, with RB Kyle Monangai setting a program record for rushing yards (162) in a Big Ten game. He earned MVP – Offense at the team banquet and participated in in the Hula Bowl.


CHRISTIAN IZIEN – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Picking up All-Big Ten recognition for the third consecutive season in 2022, Izien tied for second on the team with 84 tackles with five for loss, 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a blocked punt last season. That included double-digit stops versus Iowa (15) and at Boston College (10).

Overall, the New York native finished his career with 303 tackles to rank 13th in program history and third among defensive backs. Izien played in 50 games for the Scarlet Knights, starting the final 41 consecutively at defensive back, and recorded 23 passes defended and three fumble recoveries.

Izien claimed Co-MVP Defense at the team banquet this past season and earned Academic All-Big Ten status three times. He competed in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl.


IFEANYI MAIJEH – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Maijeh played in 25 games with 14 starts on the defensive line that past two seasons for the Scarlet Knights. In 2022, the New York native totaled 41 tackles with three for loss and two sacks. He posted a season-high six stops versus Penn State, recording sacks against Michigan and Maryland.

Maijeh played in all 13 games with four starts on the defensive line in his first season as a Scarlet Knight in 2021. He 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 – BALTIMORE RAVENS
Ryan led the Big Ten with 16.9 yards per reception in his lone season as a Scarlet Knight in 2022. The 440 receiving yards led the team, totaling 26 receptions overall with multiple catches in nine games. That included touchdown catches against Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan.

Overall, the New York native played in 52 collegiate games with 107 receptions for 1,484 yards.


AVERY YOUNG – SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Playing in 57 games for the Scarlet Knights with 54 starts, the most on offense or defense in program history, Young finished his collegiate career with 326 tackles, 10th-most in the RU record book and second among defensive backs. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten twice, including this past season after registering 84 tackles at safety. The team captain added an interception, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. He also earned All-ECAC honors each of the past two years as one of the top players in the East.

From Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Young collected the Iron Knight Award at the team banquet as the player who demonstrated an exceptionally high level of mental and physical toughness throughout the year. He competed in the Hula Bowl following the season.


SHAMEEN JONES – NEW YORK JETS (MINICAMP INVITE)
A 2022 team captain, Jones played in 56 career games for the Scarlet Knights with 35 starts at wide receiver. The Bronx, New York, native recorded 102 catches overall for 1,134 yards and six touchdowns. That included scores this past season versus Penn State and Michigan State. Jones posted a career-high 127 receiving yards in the 2020 matchup against Michigan and hauled in a pair of touchdowns on eight catches in the road win over Purdue.


KEENAN REID – NEW YORK JETS (MINICAMP INVITE)
Reid played for the Scarlet Knights the past three seasons, contributing on special teams in seven games. The Somerset, New Jersey, native tied for the fastest 40-yard dash time at Rutgers Pro Day at March, running a 4.41. The journalism and media studies major is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

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