Top Storylines Entering the Season
- Momentum Tested on a Grueling Slate Rutgers enters 2025 off back-to-back bowl appearances, riding the best stretch in the Greg Schiano era. But this year pivots from building momentum to proving legitimacy — with a gauntlet featuring four AP Preseason Top 25 teams: Oregon (Homecoming), Illinois, Ohio State (in Columbus), and a season finale vs. Penn State. A true test of growth is at hand.Â
- Rebuilding a Defense from the Ground Up The Scarlet Knights lost their entire 2024 starting defense and brought in new co-coordinators Robb Smith and Zach Sparber. The overhauled unit blends transfers like Doug Blue-Eli, Eric O’Neill, Cam Miller, and Jett Elad with holdovers like Keshon Griffin and Kaj Sanders. Defensive identity hinges on mastering a revamped 4–2–5 scheme and increasing turnovers.Â
- Offensive Continuity and Evolution Offense remains a relative anchor — QB Athan Kaliakmanis returns after a strong redshirt season, while the RB room refills post-Monangai with depth and new blood like CJ Campbell Jr. The WR corps, led by Ian Strong, KJ Duff, and DT Sheffield, looks deeper, while tight end Kenny Fletcher returns from injury and headlines the room, now dubbed a burgeoning weapon.Â
- Training Camp Insights Signal Focus Coaches are zeroed in on turnover creation and stitching together defensive cohesion. Schiano praised Kaliakmanis’s command of the offense, highlighted contested spots in the secondary — especially across new transfer defenders — and emphasized clarity in scheme amid camp drills.Â
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Role & Impact |
|---|---|
| Athan Kaliakmanis (QB, Sr.) | Minnesota transfer and breakout signal-caller; last year’s passer rating of 123.9 makes him a central figure. |
| DT Sheffield / Ian Strong / KJ Duff (WRs) | Strong and Duff step into starring roles and DT Sheffield adds transfer synergy. |
| Kenny Fletcher (TE, Sr.) | Named to the John Mackey Award watch list — his return from injury fills a critical receiving role with reliable hands. |
| Doug Blue-Eli / Eric O’Neill / Bradley Weaver / Darold DeNgohe (DL/LB) | Four new portal additions are expected to anchor a rebuilt defensive front. |
| Cam Miller / Jett Elad (Secondary Transfers) | Projected impact players in the secondary amid positional battles and schematic shifts. |
Game Focus — Must-Watch Showdowns
1. Season Opener vs. Ohio University (Aug 28)
A soft landing to launch 2025. A win builds early confidence; a loss could sow doubts ahead of the Big Ten gauntlet.
2. Homecoming vs. Oregon (Oct 18)
The marquee matchup of the year. The Ducks arrive fresh off a Big Ten title and CFP semifinal appearance. A high-stakes home stretch for Rutgers fans.
3. November Back to Back @ Ohio State (Nov 22) & vs. Penn State (Nov 29)
Rutgers has a tough two weeks: first a game in Columbus, then hosting the Nittany Lions. Crushing, or career-defining — depending on how competitive RU plays.Â
Season Outlook & Final Prediction
Forecasted Final Record: 5-7 overall (2-7 Big Ten)
- Wins
- Ohio, Miami-OH & Norfolk State – Built-in early success markers builds hope before the Big Ten season begins.
- Maryland – A home win in November is a bright spot in a month with games @ Illinois, @ Ohio State and Penn State.
- Purdue – Purdue will be awful this year. A loss to the Boilermakers would be catastrophic to the Scarlett Knights.
- Losses
- Iowa, @ Minnesota, @ Washington, Oregon, @Illinois, @ Ohio State and Michigan
Final Word
2025 holds promise as Rutgers’ defining season under Schiano — not merely tuning up, but earning respect. Offensively stable. Defense evolving. A Top 25 scalp or strong finish could salvage an uneven string of outcomes. A .500 season is possible with some flashes of potential. However, the schedule is too daunting for the Scarlett Knights to make a bowl game.
Want more Big 10 coverage? Here is a preview of the Big 10 season based on Vegas’ projected win totals. More Big 10 previews: Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA, USC, Maryland and Wisconsin.
