NFL Knights

Rutgers football has established a strong pipeline to the National Football League. Sixteen former Rutgers football players finished the year on an NFL roster, while 10 logged snaps during the regular season. Three Scarlet Knights - RB Kyle Monangai (5), RB Isiah Pacheco (2) and WR Bo Melton (1) - combined for eight touchdowns last fall, as a Rutgers football player has produced an NFL touchdown in 30 consecutive seasons dating back to 1996.

After being selected in the seventh round of last year’s NFL Draft, Monangai finished his rookie season with 169 carries for 783 yards and five touchdowns. His 176 rushing yards against Cincinnati on Nov. 2 were the most for a rookie in a single game that season and the eighth-highest mark across the NFL.

This April, QB Athan Kaliakmanis was selected in the seventh round, pick No. 223, of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. RU has had at least one NFL Draft pick each of the past five years, matching a program record also done from 1981-85.

In addition, TE Kenny Fletcher Jr. (Tampa Bay), DB Cam Miller (Carolina), DL Eric O'Neill (Detroit) and WR DT Sheffield (New York Jets) signed as undrafted free agents, making it 118 Scarlet Knights to join the NFL after playing for head coach Greg Schiano.