Just want to reiterate that this is PURELY SPECULATION on my part, but wanted to get together a list of guys that might be worth pursuing if they hit the portal in the offseason. These are guys who may have a tie to the area or to Rutgers and might want to step up a level, come closer to home or have a better chance at playing time. Without further ado, here are some guys I think would be worth pursuing. I’ll start with offensive skill players and write up offensive linemen and defensive linemen later…
QB
Matthew Sluka (JR, Holy Cross):
Sluka is listed at 6-3, 215 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Long Island (Locust Valley, N.Y. and went to Kellenberg Memorial HS) and spent a post-grad year at the Peddie School. Sluka had a perfect record his final 2 years as a HS QB and while at Peddie (3 straight seasons as a starting QB without a loss). Sluka has a PFF grade of 92.2 and is PFF's #2 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 84.7 (2021) and 73.1 (2020).
He's currently in his 3rd season as Holy Cross' starting QB (started as a true freshman during the shorted COVID year) and in his career has put up 206/358 (58%) for 2,875 yards 24 TDs and 7 INTs through the air and 1,454 rushing yards on 286 carries (5.1 ypc) and 23 TDs on the ground in 22 career starts. He’s gone 18-4 as a starting QB in college.
He’s off to his best season of his career in 2022 (69/115 for 1,176 yards passing 11 TDs/1 INT through the air, 352 yards and 5 TDs on the ground through 5 games) while leading Holy Cross to a 5-0 record.
This kid would fit Gleeson’s offense perfectly.
Tony Muskett (JR, Monmouth):
Muskett is listed at 6-2, 210 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Springfield, VA and went to West Springfield HS. Muskett has a PFF grade of 91.1 and is PFF's #6 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 86.2 (2021) and 81.5 (2020).
He's currently in his 3rd season as Monmouth’s starting QB (started as a true freshman during the shorted COVID year) and in his career has put up 409/637 (64%) for 4,959 yards, 44 TDs and 13 INTs through the air and 68 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground in 20 career starts. He’s gone 13-7 as a starting QB in college.
While he’s not as mobile as Sluka, he grades very well as a runner (77.5) on PFF. He also looks to have very good pocket mobility. Would certainly be an upgrade at the position for Rutgers.
Darius Wilson (SO, William & Mary):
Wilson is listed at 6-3, 190 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Bronx, NY and went to Iona Prep. Wilson has a PFF grade of 85.7 and is PFF's #33 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). Last season he put up a PFF grade of 62.5 (2021).
He's currently in his 2nd season as William & Mary’s starting QB and in his career has put up 177/285 (62%) for 2,168 yards, 13 TDs and 11 INTs through the air and 599 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the ground in 14 career starts. He’s gone 9-5 as a starting QB in college.
Christian Veilleux (SO, Penn State):
Veilloux is listed at 6-3, 190 lbs and would have 3 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Ottawa, Ontario and went to the Bullis School in Maryland.
Rutgers has tended to target players in the portal they have played against, and Veilloux looked very impressive when he had to step in for Sean Clifford last season against Rutgers. He’s currently buried on the PSU depth chart and they have their heir apparent in true freshman Drew Allar.
WR
Dymere Miller (JR, Monmouth):
Miller is listed at 6-0, 180 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Coatesville, PA and went to Coatesville HS (HS teammates with the Young brothers) before spending a year at Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT. Miller has a PFF grade of 88.3 and is PFF's #2 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 71.8 (2021) and 63.9 (2020).
This season he has 16 receptions for 253 yards (15.8 ypc) and 2 TDs in just 3 games played. He’s a former standout track athlete, winning state titles at Coatesville in the 4x100 relay (41.55 seconds) and placed 3rd in the 200 meter race (21.59 seconds).
Makai Jackson (FR, St Francis [PA]):
Jackson is listed at 6-0, 190 lbs and would have 3 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Croydon, PA and went to Harry S. Truman HS (38 miles from New Brunswick, NJ). Miller has a PFF grade of 79.6 and is PFF's #37 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs). He’s currently a true freshman.
This season he has 39 receptions for 452 yards (11.6 ypc) and 5 TDs in 5 games played. Jackson accounts for 43% of St Francis’ receptions and 40% of the team’s receiving yardage this year. He also has a kick return TD on the season. He ranks 11th in the FCS in receiving yardage on the season.
This kid is a total stud and will probably have a ton of teams after him this off-season
Naiem Simmons (JR, Wagner):
Simmons is listed at 5-10, 175 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Cherry Hill, NJ and went to Cherry Hill West HS before spending a post-grad year at Milford Academy in NY. Simmons has a PFF grade of 78.5 and is PFF's #44 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 13 receptions for 235 yards (18.1 ypc) and 2 TDs in 4 games played. Simmons had 3 catches for 55 yards against Rutgers when Wagner played us on 9/10/22.
Jaaron Hayek (SR, Villanova):
Hayek is listed at 6-1, 195 lbs and would have 1 year of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Wayne Hills, NJ and went to Wayne Hills HS. Hayek was previously committed to Rutgers under Chris Ash and had two brothers play at Rutgers. Hayek has a PFF grade of 73.9 and is PFF's #130 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 23 receptions for 567 yards (24.7 ypc) and 6 TDs in 5 games played. Last season he put up 40 receptions for 671 yards (16.8 ypc) and 9 TDs. He’s 2nd in the FCS in receiving yards this season.
MJ Wright (SR, Fordham):
Wright is listed at 6-0, 192 lbs and would have 1 year of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Freehold, NJ and went to Red Bank Catholic HS. Wright has a PFF grade of 78.0 and is PFF's #44 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 29 receptions for 459 yards (15.8 ypc) and 4 TDs in 5 games played. He’s 9th in the FCS in receiving yards this season.
QB
Matthew Sluka (JR, Holy Cross):
Sluka is listed at 6-3, 215 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Long Island (Locust Valley, N.Y. and went to Kellenberg Memorial HS) and spent a post-grad year at the Peddie School. Sluka had a perfect record his final 2 years as a HS QB and while at Peddie (3 straight seasons as a starting QB without a loss). Sluka has a PFF grade of 92.2 and is PFF's #2 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 84.7 (2021) and 73.1 (2020).
He's currently in his 3rd season as Holy Cross' starting QB (started as a true freshman during the shorted COVID year) and in his career has put up 206/358 (58%) for 2,875 yards 24 TDs and 7 INTs through the air and 1,454 rushing yards on 286 carries (5.1 ypc) and 23 TDs on the ground in 22 career starts. He’s gone 18-4 as a starting QB in college.
He’s off to his best season of his career in 2022 (69/115 for 1,176 yards passing 11 TDs/1 INT through the air, 352 yards and 5 TDs on the ground through 5 games) while leading Holy Cross to a 5-0 record.
This kid would fit Gleeson’s offense perfectly.
Tony Muskett (JR, Monmouth):
Muskett is listed at 6-2, 210 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Springfield, VA and went to West Springfield HS. Muskett has a PFF grade of 91.1 and is PFF's #6 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 86.2 (2021) and 81.5 (2020).
He's currently in his 3rd season as Monmouth’s starting QB (started as a true freshman during the shorted COVID year) and in his career has put up 409/637 (64%) for 4,959 yards, 44 TDs and 13 INTs through the air and 68 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground in 20 career starts. He’s gone 13-7 as a starting QB in college.
While he’s not as mobile as Sluka, he grades very well as a runner (77.5) on PFF. He also looks to have very good pocket mobility. Would certainly be an upgrade at the position for Rutgers.
Darius Wilson (SO, William & Mary):
Wilson is listed at 6-3, 190 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Bronx, NY and went to Iona Prep. Wilson has a PFF grade of 85.7 and is PFF's #33 overall QB (out of 294 qualifying QBs). Last season he put up a PFF grade of 62.5 (2021).
He's currently in his 2nd season as William & Mary’s starting QB and in his career has put up 177/285 (62%) for 2,168 yards, 13 TDs and 11 INTs through the air and 599 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the ground in 14 career starts. He’s gone 9-5 as a starting QB in college.
Christian Veilleux (SO, Penn State):
Veilloux is listed at 6-3, 190 lbs and would have 3 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Ottawa, Ontario and went to the Bullis School in Maryland.
Rutgers has tended to target players in the portal they have played against, and Veilloux looked very impressive when he had to step in for Sean Clifford last season against Rutgers. He’s currently buried on the PSU depth chart and they have their heir apparent in true freshman Drew Allar.
WR
Dymere Miller (JR, Monmouth):
Miller is listed at 6-0, 180 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Coatesville, PA and went to Coatesville HS (HS teammates with the Young brothers) before spending a year at Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT. Miller has a PFF grade of 88.3 and is PFF's #2 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs). His previous 2 seasons he put up PFF grades of 71.8 (2021) and 63.9 (2020).
This season he has 16 receptions for 253 yards (15.8 ypc) and 2 TDs in just 3 games played. He’s a former standout track athlete, winning state titles at Coatesville in the 4x100 relay (41.55 seconds) and placed 3rd in the 200 meter race (21.59 seconds).
Makai Jackson (FR, St Francis [PA]):
Jackson is listed at 6-0, 190 lbs and would have 3 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Croydon, PA and went to Harry S. Truman HS (38 miles from New Brunswick, NJ). Miller has a PFF grade of 79.6 and is PFF's #37 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs). He’s currently a true freshman.
This season he has 39 receptions for 452 yards (11.6 ypc) and 5 TDs in 5 games played. Jackson accounts for 43% of St Francis’ receptions and 40% of the team’s receiving yardage this year. He also has a kick return TD on the season. He ranks 11th in the FCS in receiving yardage on the season.
This kid is a total stud and will probably have a ton of teams after him this off-season
Naiem Simmons (JR, Wagner):
Simmons is listed at 5-10, 175 lbs and would have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Cherry Hill, NJ and went to Cherry Hill West HS before spending a post-grad year at Milford Academy in NY. Simmons has a PFF grade of 78.5 and is PFF's #44 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 13 receptions for 235 yards (18.1 ypc) and 2 TDs in 4 games played. Simmons had 3 catches for 55 yards against Rutgers when Wagner played us on 9/10/22.
Jaaron Hayek (SR, Villanova):
Hayek is listed at 6-1, 195 lbs and would have 1 year of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Wayne Hills, NJ and went to Wayne Hills HS. Hayek was previously committed to Rutgers under Chris Ash and had two brothers play at Rutgers. Hayek has a PFF grade of 73.9 and is PFF's #130 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 23 receptions for 567 yards (24.7 ypc) and 6 TDs in 5 games played. Last season he put up 40 receptions for 671 yards (16.8 ypc) and 9 TDs. He’s 2nd in the FCS in receiving yards this season.
MJ Wright (SR, Fordham):
Wright is listed at 6-0, 192 lbs and would have 1 year of eligibility remaining after this season. He hails from Freehold, NJ and went to Red Bank Catholic HS. Wright has a PFF grade of 78.0 and is PFF's #44 overall WR (out of 980 qualifying WRs).
This season he has 29 receptions for 459 yards (15.8 ypc) and 4 TDs in 5 games played. He’s 9th in the FCS in receiving yards this season.
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