PISCATAWAY, N.J. – During his 17 seasons leading Rutgers football, head coach Greg Schiano has developed countless wide-eyed freshmen into productive student-athletes both on and off the field.

DL Zaire Angoy is another success story of potential turning into tangible success.

The Irvington, New Jersey, native has churned out a productive career since his arrival in Piscataway, playing in 33 career games across four seasons. That includes 27 consecutive appearances dating back to 2023, contributing 31 stops during his time 'On the Banks.'

But when Schiano first spotted Angoy on the recruiting trail, it was a chance encounter.

"We were at Irvington High School to see someone else, and he was working out in the gym doing power cleans," Schiano said. "I walked by and said 'who is that kid? We need to recruit him.' I'm really glad that we got him here. He's grown and has gotten better and better each year. He's really developed into a Big Ten defensive lineman."

Angoy has always flashed the athleticism needed to succeed at the Division I level. A standout athlete, Angoy shined in both basketball and wrestling before committing full-time to football. As a high school senior in 2020 under head coach Ashley "Smoke" Pierre, Angoy helped the Blue Knights to seven victories, finishing his final scholastic campaign with 43 tackles and four sacks.

Angoy is the first to admit he needed to put in the work to take his game to the next level.

He used a redshirt season in 2021 and worked hard to put himself in a position to contribute. While some players may get discouraged at the time it takes to improve, Angoy embraced the opportunity.

"It's extremely hard when you know you want to achieve something and you know where you want to be at," Angoy said. "Nothing can stop you when you surround yourself with the right people who will encourage and talk to you every day about doing the right things. With the right mindset, there's no obstacle that can hold you back."

Angoy has been a solid contributor since working himself into the defensive line rotation towards the end of the 2023 campaign. He appeared heavily in RU's final five games that season, which included a three-tackle performance in the Scarlet Knights' win over Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.

Since that stretch, Angoy's success has continued to accelerate. He earned the Douglas A. Smith Second Effort Award as the most improved defensive player during spring practice and has started RU's first eight games this season along the defensive line.

Freeing up others to make plays by drawing double teams from opposing offenses, Angoy has posted multiple tackles twice this fall and contributed a tackle-for-loss against Norfolk State earlier this season.

Now a regular along the front, Angoy does not take his current role for granted.

"I mean, it felt unreal at first to be in this position," Angoy said. "I put in the work and everything. I dreamed for moments like this. So for it all to finally come true, I know I just cannot let up. I have to stay on course and keep going harder."

Rutgers will rely on Angoy's leadership and experience as it enters the final month of the regular season. The Scarlet Knights next face Illinois on Saturday in Champaign. The road conference matchup is just another test for Angoy, who is no stranger to facing challenges head on with the help of those around him.

"We stick with each other," Angoy said. "You know no matter the obstacles or challenges we face you know we stick together whether it's in the weight room or locker room. We push one another, watch film together and just work to get everyone else better."


 
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