PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Seven from Rutgers football were named to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl watch list released Wednesday. DL Wesley Bailey, OL Ireland Brown, OL Curtis Dunlap Jr., DL Aaron Lewis, DB Max Melton, OL Hollin Pierce and LB Tyreem Powell all claimed a spot on the list, which includes top draft-eligible players from across the country.

The Scarlet Knights saw 20 enter NFL training camps active on rosters this summer, with head coach Greg Schiano sending 97 overall to the NFL during his tenure.

The Reese's Senior Bowl is the nation's most prestigious college all-star game, as it annually serves as the first step of the NFL Draft process. It is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Alabama. Sixteen Scarlet Knights have been selected in the past, including Adam Korsak (2023), Bo Melton (2022), Kemoko Turay (2018), Leonte Carroo (2016), Khaseem Greene (2013), Steve Beauharnais (2013), Joe Lefeged (2011), Devin McCourty (2010), Clark Harris (2007), Brian Leonard (2007), L.J. Smith (2003), Mike McMahon (2001), Robert Barr (1996), Bruce Presley (1996), Steve Simms (1962) and Alex Kroll (1962).


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.


IRELAND BROWN
Brown moved from the defensive line to the offensive line in 2021 and has played in 20 games with 17 starts at center the past two seasons. The Jamaica, New York, native is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and claimed the 2022 Mark Mills Second Effort Award as the most improved offensive player during spring practice.


CURTIS DUNLAP JR.
Dunlap enters his second season with the Scarlet Knights with 33 career games of experience with 28 starts on the offensive line. That included 12 starts at right guard in 2022. The Jacksonville, Florida, native was named to the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society in April.


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 him Third Team All-Big Ten in the coaches' vote. He was graded as the No. 5 edge defender in the Big Ten and No. 20 at the position nationally by Pro Football Focus last season, and was selected to the Bednarik Award watch list earlier this month.


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).


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.


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. He was named to the Butkus Award watch list earlier this month.

Rutgers opens the season Sunday, Sept. 3 at SHI Stadium against Northwestern (noon, CBS), the first time beginning with a Big Ten opponent at home since joining the conference. The Back to the Birthplace Game is presented by Provident Bank. That is part of three consecutive home games to start the year and seven overall in 2023. Season and individual game tickets are on sale.

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