Photo by: Robert Simmons
Six Scarlet Knights Named Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten
Jul 02 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Six from Rutgers football were recognized as Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the recently released publication. LB Dariel Djabome (second team), OL Tyler Needham (third team), DL Eric O'Neill (third team), OL Kwabena Asamoah (fourth team), RB Antwan Raymond (fourth team) and WR Ian Strong (fourth team) all represent the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers opens the season Thursday, Aug. 28 hosting Ohio at SHI Stadium.
DARIEL DJABOME
An All-Big Ten Third Team selection in his first season as a starter, Djabome ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 8.1 tackles per game in 2024. He totaled 105 stops overall, the first Scarlet Knight to reach triple figures since Olakunle Fatukasi in 2020, the fifth-most in a season under head coach Greg Schiano and second-most among returning Big Ten players. Djabome paced Rutgers in tackles in 7-of-13 games and had five outings with 10 or more. That included a high of 14 stops in the wins over Howard and Minnesota. The Longueuil, Québec, Canada, native owned a team-high 7.5 tackles-for-loss, posting sacks versus Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State and Kansas State. He added forced fumbles versus Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. Djabome was a finalist for the Cornish Trophy, which honors the top Canadian in college football, and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
TYLER NEEDHAM
Needham enters his fifth season in the program after seeing action in 11 games with 10 starts in 2024. The versatile offensive lineman primarily took snaps at right tackle, also contributing at tight end, and was rated as the No. 15 offensive tackle in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. Part of an offensive line that earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, the offense posted 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history. The team rushed for 175.3 yards per game to place third in the Big Ten for the program's best placement since joining the league. In addition, the offense permitted two or less sacks in 9-of-13 games with none allowed five times and converted on third down at a clip of 44 percent, the team's best mark in the Big Ten era. Needham is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
ERIC O'NEILL
O'Neill is set for his first season with the Scarlet Knights after appearing previously in 38 career games with 35 starts. He has totaled 185 tackles with 63 for loss and 28.5 sacks so far in earning first team all-conference honors each of the past three seasons. Last year, O'Neill earned All-America laurels at James Madison, producing 52 tackles with 18.5 for loss and 13 sacks in 13 starts. Recently named to the Lott IMPACT® Trophy watch list, he finished fifth nationally in sacks per game (1.0) and sixth in tackles-for-loss per game (1.4) in 2024.
KWABENA ASAMOAH
Voted honorable mention All-Big Ten last season, Asamoah enters 2025 with 28 collegiate games of experience and 21 starts. That included starting all 13 games at right guard last year in helping the Scarlet Knights to 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history. The team rushed for 175.3 yards per game to place third in the Big Ten for the program's best placement since joining the league. In addition, the offense permitted two or less sacks in 9-of-13 games with none allowed five times and converted on third down at a clip of 44 percent, the team's best mark in the Big Ten era. Asamoah was part of an offensive line that earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
ANTWAN RAYMOND
Entering his sophomore season, Raymond carried the ball 100 times for 457 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. The running back led all Big Ten true freshmen and ranked fifth among Power Four players in his class in rushing yards, while setting the Rutgers true freshman record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. The Canadian ended the season with 113 rushing yards and three scores in the Rate Bowl and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after scoring two touchdowns with 71 rushing yards in the road victory over Michigan State.
IAN STRONG
Strong ended the 2024 regular season hauling in a receiving touchdown in each of the last four games, the first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat since Mark Harrison in 2010. Overall, the Coram, New York, native brought in 43 receptions for 676 yards and five scores, all in the red zone, to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten status. The 15.7 yards per reception ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten. He compiled multiple catches in nine games and five or more five times, posting a career-high seven receptions in the win at Maryland. He had a 65-yard grab against Minnesota, while totaling a personal-best 110 yards at Virginia Tech. That included a catch-and-run of 63 yards late in the game to set up the winning field goal to beat the Hokies. Strong also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a second straight winning season, posting a program-high points per game in the Big Ten era. The 2025 campaign opens with four consecutive games at SHI Stadium for the first time since hosting five in a row to open 2007.
Season and single game tickets are on sale. To purchase, visit ScarletKnights.com/tickets or call 866-445-GORU (4678). Benefits of being a season ticket holder include an exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking on Busch campus within walking distance to SHI Stadium, special pricing, a payment plan option, early access to season tickets and other Rutgers ticket offers throughout the year. Purchasing season tickets directly supports student-athletes. Visit Rutgers Football Ticket Central for more information.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Rutgers opens the season Thursday, Aug. 28 hosting Ohio at SHI Stadium.
DARIEL DJABOME
An All-Big Ten Third Team selection in his first season as a starter, Djabome ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 8.1 tackles per game in 2024. He totaled 105 stops overall, the first Scarlet Knight to reach triple figures since Olakunle Fatukasi in 2020, the fifth-most in a season under head coach Greg Schiano and second-most among returning Big Ten players. Djabome paced Rutgers in tackles in 7-of-13 games and had five outings with 10 or more. That included a high of 14 stops in the wins over Howard and Minnesota. The Longueuil, Québec, Canada, native owned a team-high 7.5 tackles-for-loss, posting sacks versus Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State and Kansas State. He added forced fumbles versus Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. Djabome was a finalist for the Cornish Trophy, which honors the top Canadian in college football, and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
TYLER NEEDHAM
Needham enters his fifth season in the program after seeing action in 11 games with 10 starts in 2024. The versatile offensive lineman primarily took snaps at right tackle, also contributing at tight end, and was rated as the No. 15 offensive tackle in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. Part of an offensive line that earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, the offense posted 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history. The team rushed for 175.3 yards per game to place third in the Big Ten for the program's best placement since joining the league. In addition, the offense permitted two or less sacks in 9-of-13 games with none allowed five times and converted on third down at a clip of 44 percent, the team's best mark in the Big Ten era. Needham is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
ERIC O'NEILL
O'Neill is set for his first season with the Scarlet Knights after appearing previously in 38 career games with 35 starts. He has totaled 185 tackles with 63 for loss and 28.5 sacks so far in earning first team all-conference honors each of the past three seasons. Last year, O'Neill earned All-America laurels at James Madison, producing 52 tackles with 18.5 for loss and 13 sacks in 13 starts. Recently named to the Lott IMPACT® Trophy watch list, he finished fifth nationally in sacks per game (1.0) and sixth in tackles-for-loss per game (1.4) in 2024.
KWABENA ASAMOAH
Voted honorable mention All-Big Ten last season, Asamoah enters 2025 with 28 collegiate games of experience and 21 starts. That included starting all 13 games at right guard last year in helping the Scarlet Knights to 28.9 points per game, the best mark since 2008, and 4,975 yards of total offense, fourth-most in a season in program history. The team rushed for 175.3 yards per game to place third in the Big Ten for the program's best placement since joining the league. In addition, the offense permitted two or less sacks in 9-of-13 games with none allowed five times and converted on third down at a clip of 44 percent, the team's best mark in the Big Ten era. Asamoah was part of an offensive line that earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
ANTWAN RAYMOND
Entering his sophomore season, Raymond carried the ball 100 times for 457 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. The running back led all Big Ten true freshmen and ranked fifth among Power Four players in his class in rushing yards, while setting the Rutgers true freshman record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. The Canadian ended the season with 113 rushing yards and three scores in the Rate Bowl and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after scoring two touchdowns with 71 rushing yards in the road victory over Michigan State.
IAN STRONG
Strong ended the 2024 regular season hauling in a receiving touchdown in each of the last four games, the first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat since Mark Harrison in 2010. Overall, the Coram, New York, native brought in 43 receptions for 676 yards and five scores, all in the red zone, to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten status. The 15.7 yards per reception ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten. He compiled multiple catches in nine games and five or more five times, posting a career-high seven receptions in the win at Maryland. He had a 65-yard grab against Minnesota, while totaling a personal-best 110 yards at Virginia Tech. That included a catch-and-run of 63 yards late in the game to set up the winning field goal to beat the Hokies. Strong also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a second straight winning season, posting a program-high points per game in the Big Ten era. The 2025 campaign opens with four consecutive games at SHI Stadium for the first time since hosting five in a row to open 2007.
Season and single game tickets are on sale. To purchase, visit ScarletKnights.com/tickets or call 866-445-GORU (4678). Benefits of being a season ticket holder include an exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking on Busch campus within walking distance to SHI Stadium, special pricing, a payment plan option, early access to season tickets and other Rutgers ticket offers throughout the year. Purchasing season tickets directly supports student-athletes. Visit Rutgers Football Ticket Central for more information.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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