Football Hosts 2026 Pro Day
Mar 11 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Showcasing speed, strength and skills in front of 46 pro personnel from 36 teams across the NFL and CFL, 14 Scarlet Knights took part in 2026 Pro Day on Wednesday. The group started off in the weight room before moving to the Bubble to compete in a variety of drills, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, positional work and more.
Rutgers football has a strong tradition of sending players to the next level, with head coach Greg Schiano previously sending 113 to the NFL during his tenure. That includes first-round picks in WR Kenny Britt (2009), OL Anthony Davis (2010) and DB Devin McCourty (2010). Rutgers had never had a player taken in the first round before Britt went 30th overall to the Tennessee Titans. Davis’ selection at No. 11 by the San Francisco 49ers marked the highest draftee in school history. McCourty, who went 27th to the New England Patriots, won three rings in five trips to the Super Bowl during his illustrious professional career.
The pipeline continued in 2025 with DB Robert Longerbeam (Ravens), DL Kyonte Hamilton (Texans) and RB Kyle Monangai (Bears) all selected in the NFL Draft, the most RU selections since 2013. Monangai emerged with 173 rushing yards in his first pro start, the eighth best rushing performance in the league overall and best by a rookie in 2025. Max Melton went off the board in 2024, being drafted in the second round (pick 43) by the Arizona Cardinals, the highest RU pick since 2010. The cornerback was named the Cardinals’ Defensive Rookie of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
Both Bo Melton (Seahawks) and RB Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs) were drafted in 2022, with Pacheco emerging as one of the best stories in the NFL with 830 rushing yards, five touchdowns and a victory in Super Bowl LVII as a rookie. He followed that with another championship to cap the 2023 season in becoming the first starting running back to win consecutive Super Bowls during his first two years in the league. Super Bowl LVIII saw Pacheco face off against Logan Ryan (49ers), as 19 former RU players coached by Schiano have reached the big game, with 13 earning rings. In 2023, DB Christian Braswell was taken by the Jaguars and six others signed contracts. Thirteen more were signed over the past two years.
Overall, 21 Scarlet Knights who played for Schiano at Rutgers entered 2025 training camp active on NFL rosters: DB Tre Avery, TE Shawn Bowman, DB Christian Braswell, FB Michael Burton, LS Andrew DePaola, DL Kyonte Hamilton, DB Desmond Igbinosun, DL Isaiah Iton, DB Christian Izien, WR JaQuae Jackson, DB Robert Longerbeam, DB Shaquan Loyal, PK Jude McAtamney, WR Bo Melton, DB Max Melton, WR Dymere Miller, RB Kyle Monangai, RB Isiah Pacheco, OL Hollin Pierce, LB Tyreem Powell and DB Eric Rogers.
Gallery: 2026 Rutgers Football Pro Day
Participants
Pro Day Ready?? pic.twitter.com/1VYtZOoI7F
— Rutgers Football ?? (@RFootball) March 10, 2026
Pro Day 2026?? pic.twitter.com/fIAnTLkQKo
— Rutgers Football ?? (@RFootball) March 4, 2026
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.
