Phil Steele: Four Named Preseason All-Big Ten
Jun 19 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Four from Rutgers football were named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten teams released in the recent magazine publication. DB Max Melton earned second-team honors, LB Deion Jennings placed on the third team and both DL Mayan Ahanotu and LB Tyreem Powell claimed a spot on the fourth team to represent the Scarlet Knights.
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 in 2022. The blocked punt versus Michigan led to a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble on punt coverage in playing all 12 games. The Mays Landing, New Jersey, native ranked seventh in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (1.0).
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.
MAYAN AHANOTU
Having played the last 34 games consecutively, Ahanotu totaled 39 tackles with 8.5 for loss the past three seasons for the Scarlet Knights in the middle of the defensive line. The Tampa, Florida, native was voted a team captain in 2022, is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team®. Ahanotu merited the Douglas A. Smith Second Effort Award in the spring, which honors the defensive player who through determination, dedication and hard work has shown the most improvement during the offseason and spring practices.
TYREEM POWELL
Powell started all 12 games at linebacker last season and totaled 71 tackles with six for loss. That included four or more stops in every game, being in on a tackle-for-loss in seven contests and posting sacks against Boston College, Iowa and Ohio State. The Vineland, New Jersey, native added four pass breakups, collecting a career-high nine tackles at Michigan State.
Season tickets are on sale for the home slate this fall, which features four games at SHI Stadium in September. The Scarlet Knights open the season Sunday, Sept. 3 at home versus Northwestern, presented by Provident Bank.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball & @RutgersFBfans), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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 in 2022. The blocked punt versus Michigan led to a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble on punt coverage in playing all 12 games. The Mays Landing, New Jersey, native ranked seventh in the Big Ten in passes defended per game (1.0).
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.
MAYAN AHANOTU
Having played the last 34 games consecutively, Ahanotu totaled 39 tackles with 8.5 for loss the past three seasons for the Scarlet Knights in the middle of the defensive line. The Tampa, Florida, native was voted a team captain in 2022, is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team®. Ahanotu merited the Douglas A. Smith Second Effort Award in the spring, which honors the defensive player who through determination, dedication and hard work has shown the most improvement during the offseason and spring practices.
TYREEM POWELL
Powell started all 12 games at linebacker last season and totaled 71 tackles with six for loss. That included four or more stops in every game, being in on a tackle-for-loss in seven contests and posting sacks against Boston College, Iowa and Ohio State. The Vineland, New Jersey, native added four pass breakups, collecting a career-high nine tackles at Michigan State.
Season tickets are on sale for the home slate this fall, which features four games at SHI Stadium in September. The Scarlet Knights open the season Sunday, Sept. 3 at home versus Northwestern, presented by Provident Bank.
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
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballDefensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
