Lindy’s is low on Rutgers football’s outlook this fall.
While it believes the Scarlet Knights “have more talent in the program than at any point” since head coach Greg Schiano returned for a second stint, the magazine projects the program to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten’s standings during the 2025 season.
The key issue, according to the outlet’s 28th annual preseason preview: a grueling schedule that ranks among the most difficult in the nation.
Here’s what Lindy’s preseason preview said about Rutgers:
Scarlet Knight scouting report
The magazine gave a rundown of every program using multiple superlative categories:
Primary Strengths: The starting offensive line is loaded with experience. Kaliakmanis has a year of experience in the offense and some big-play receivers. Linebacker Moses Walker and Dariel Djabome should stabilize the middle of the defense.
Potential Problems: Rutgers lost its workhorse running back in Kyle Monangai to the NFL. While CJ Campbell and Antwan Raymond could be a more versatile tandem, replacing one of hte best runners in school history is a big ask. The Scarlet Knights have a lot of new faces on defense.
Players to watch: QB Athan Kaliakmanis, RB CJ Campbell, WR Ian Strong, WR DT Sheffield, LG Bryan Felter, RT Taj White, DE Eric O’Neill, DE Bradley Weaver, LB Dariel Djabome, CB Bo Mascoe.
Top Newcomer: DE Eric O’Neill: Rutgers is banking on the production of O’Neill to translate to the Big Ten level. He began his career at LIU before spending 2024 at James Madison, where he made 52 tackles, including 18.5 for loss, and 13 sacks in 13 games.
Overview: There is more talent in the program than at any point during Schiano’s return and the Scarlet Knights are coming off winning four Big Ten games for the first time since joining the league. But breaking the seven-win mark in 2025 would be monumental given the schedule. After missing all three in 2024, the Scarlet Knights host Oregon in October and finish the regular season at Ohio State and at home against Penn State.
Where Scarlet Knights stand
The magazine ranked every FBS football program nationally and within their own conference.
- Nationally, the Scarlet Knights were ranked 78th, a 32-spot drop from last year’s preseason ranking in the magazine (46th).
Each team outside the top 25 had a small note next to its ranking.
Rutgers: “Scarlet Knights bring back a lot from a good offense but lost a lot on D.”
- In the Big Ten, Rutgers is ranked 16th, ahead only of Northwestern and Purdue. That is the most pessimistic outlook for the Scarlet Knights of all the major preseason magazines; Athlon picked the Scarlet Knights to finish 12th while Phil Steele placed them in 13th place.
Each team had blurbs under three categories: good news, bad news and our call.
Good News: Probably won’t play a Top 25 opponent until Week 8 when Oregon rolls in.
Bad News: Star LB Mohamed Toure leaving via transfer was a major loss.
Our Call: Getting back to bowl eligibility is a possibility for Rutgers, but the second-half slate is brutal.
Schedule From Hell
The Scarlet Knights have the sixth-hardest schedule in the country in Lindy’s rankings.
The resurgent Scarlet Knights are going to be hard-pressed to make it a third consecutive winning season. Nine of their opponents played in bowl games last seasons, and this is the only team that has to play Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon.
Greg Schiano excited about his quarterback
In his lone quote in the magazine, the Rutgers coach said he “can’t wait to watch and see” what Athan Kaliakmanis does this season. The quarterback is returning for a second season as a Scarlet Knight after becoming the first program’s first 2,000-yard passer in a decade last year.
Preseason All-Big Ten
Two Scarlet Knights are projected to be among the best players in the league: linebacker Dariel Djabome (second team) and left guard Bryan Felter (third team).
Recruiting
Every program received a blurb about their 2024 recruiting class.
Rutgers finished with the No. 36 class, keeping key in-state talent home and enrolling 22 early enrollees, including 11 from New Jersey. Four-star linebacker Talibi Kaba headlines the class; despite missing his senior season due to injury, he is expected to contribute early thanks to his high upside and relentless rehab. Greg Schiano’s staff also made major strides in the trenches, adding 11 linemen as part of a long-term investment in building from the inside out.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust.
Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.