PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Five members of the Rutgers football program were named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten teams. The teams were selected based on 2023 projections by the media outlet.

Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten
Second Team: DL Aaron Lewis
Third Team: LB Deion Jennings, DB Max Melton
Fourth Team: DL Wesley Bailey, OL Hollin Pierce

AARON LEWIS
Lewis emerged on the defensive line with 55 tackles with eight for loss in 2022. He posted a career high with 11 tackles, two in the backfield, and a forced fumble in the road win over Temple, adding sacks versus Nebraska and Penn State. The performance earned Third Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote.

DEION JENNINGS
Jennings collected a team-high 91 tackles on the season, recording 8.5 for loss with six pass breakups. The 8.3 tackles per game ranked seventh in the league, posting four games with at least 10. The linebacker capped the season with 12 stops, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and two pass breakups at Maryland and won the Homer Hazel Award as the team's most valuable player.

MAX MELTON
Melton, who collected honorable mention All-Big Ten last season, contributed on both defense and special teams, posting 10 pass breakups, two interceptions, 33 tackles and a nation-leading three blocked punts. The blocked punt versus Michigan led to a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble on punt coverage in playing all 12 games, ranking seventh in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (1.0).

WESLEY BAILEY
Bailey totaled 30 tackles with eight for loss and a team-high 3.5 sacks in 12 starts at defensive end in 2022. The Canadian led the Big Ten with three fumble recoveries and added a pair of passes batted down. He had a career-best 1.5 sacks in the win over Boston College.

HOLLIN PIERCE
Pierce enters 2023 having started the last 24 games over the past two seasons. He was named a candidate in 2022 for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the most outstanding football player who began career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.

Season tickets are on sale for the seven-game home slate this fall, which features four games at SHI Stadium in September. The season opener versus Northwestern will mark the first time the Scarlet Knights open with a home Big Ten game. Click here for more information on season tickets and to purchase. Further game themes and promotions will be announced soon.

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