The Birthplace of College Football

[six7]

The Birthplace of College Football
Rutgers Scarlett Knights
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Rutgers Lands First Verbal Commits of 2025: Garden State Duo Sets Defensive Tone

Alec Hurt and David Okanlawon bring size, leadership, and edge-setting intensity as Scarlet Knights kick off Week 6 with in-state defensive pledges.

PISCATAWAY, NJ -- Rutgers football has officially opened its 2025 recruiting account with a bang, securing verbal commitments from two promising in-state defenders: Alec Hurt, a 6'5", 248-pound edge rusher from Vineland, and David Okanlawon, a 6'3", 210-pound SAM linebacker from Trenton.



Hurt, a 3-star prospect known for his edge-setting prowess, projects as a foundational piece in Rutgers’ defensive front. With a long frame and violent hands, he’s the kind of player who can anchor the line and disrupt both run and pass plays. His commitment signals Rutgers’ intent to build a physically dominant edge presence, and his local ties make the win even sweeter.



Okanlawon, also a 3-star recruit, brings cerebral leadership and sideline-to-sideline range to the linebacker corps. Scouts say he’s the kind of player who elevates the unit with communication, instincts, and versatility. His ability to diagnose plays and command the defense makes him a natural fit for the SAM role in Rutgers’ evolving scheme.

Both players mark a strong start to the Scarlet Knights’ 2025 class, reinforcing head coach Greg Schiano’s commitment to keeping top New Jersey talent home. With Week 6 underway, Rutgers fans have reason to be optimistic as the recruiting trail heats up.

Other Notable Recruiting Targets

Antonio Page, QB

6'4", 211 lbs Dual-Threat QB from Buffalo, NY — Interest: 3rd (behind PSU, NC ST)

Mohammed Ejiofor, LB

6'0", 219 lbs LB from Jersey City, NJ — Interest: 1st (ahead of BC, PSU)

Jason Konrad, LB

5'11", 239 lbs LB from Hillsdale, NJ — Interest: 1st (ahead of BC, SYR)

Willie Mixon, WR

6'5", 194 lbs WR from Red Bank, NJ — Interest: 1st (ahead of TEMP, UCONN)

Davante Madison, OL

6'7", 278 lbs OL from Rochester, NY — Interest: 1st (ahead of WAKE, PUR)

David Enechukwu, HB

5'8", 184 lbs HB from New York, NY — Interest: 1st (ahead of PUR, ARK ST)

Kevin Nesbitt, HB

5'9", 209 lbs HB from Oradell, NJ — Interest: 2nd (behind VANDY)

Bret Ismail, WR

5'8", 183 lbs WR from Highstown, NJ — Interest: 1st (ahead of PSU, DUKE)

[Chillcavern]

That’s a classic defender name (Hurt).

Gotta stock up the defense here for Big Ten play - good additions

[YaBoyRobRoy]

couple of solid signings to start off the class, stealing Antonio Page from Penn State/NC State would be huge early on the recruiting trail

[six7]

The Birthplace of College Football
Rutgers Scarlett Knights
▰▰▰

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Location: Piscataway, NJ | Conference: Big Ten | Stadium: SHI Stadium (Capacity: 52,454)

Week 7 Preview: Rutgers (3-2, 0-2) at Washington (4-1, 1-1)

Washington Huskies Scouting Report
OVR: 82 | OFF: 84 | DEF: 81
Offensive Style: Multiple
Defensive Style: Base 3-4
Matchup History: Rutgers (1-2)

Key Starters
QB Demond Williams – SO – 5'11", 190 lbs, Dual Threat (83 ovr, 88 spd)
HB Jonah Coleman – SR – 5'9", 228 lbs, Elusive Bruiser (93 ovr, 88 spd)
WR Denzel Boston – RS JR 6'4", 209 lbs, Contested Specialist (91 ovr, 89 spd)
WR Omari Evans – SR – 6'0", 190 lbs, Speedster (82 ovr, 93 spd)
WR Kevin Green Jr. – RS JR - 5'11", 165 lbs, Elusive Route Runner (79 ovr, 92 spd)
TE Decker DeGraf– SO – 6'3", 245 lbs, Physical Route Runner (82 ovr, 82 spd)

EDGE Jayvon Parker – JR – 6'3", 320 lbs, Pure Power (80 ovr)
EDGE Anterio Thompson – SR – 6'4", 306 lbs, Pure Power (79 ovr)
NT Logan Sagapolu – RS SR – 6'2", 345 lbs, Pure Power (76 ovr)
SAM Zach Durfee – SR – 6'5", 256 lbs, Thumper (76 ovr)
MIKE Taariq Al-Uqdah – RS JR – 6'0", 232 lbs, Lurker (85 ovr)
WILL Charles Ellerson – RS SO – 6'2", 220 lbs, Lurker (74 ovr)
JACK Russell Davis II – JR – 6'3", 220 lbs, Thumper (81 ovr)
CB Tacario Davis – SR – 6'4", 200 lbs, Bump and Run (91 ovr, 91 spd)
CB Ephesians Prysock – SR – 6'4", 195 lbs, Boundary (87 ovr, 90 spd)
FS Makell Esteen – RS SR – 6'1", 205 lbs, Coverage Specialist (79 ovr, 88 spd)
SS CJ Christian – SR – 6'1", 205 lbs, Coverage Specialist (78 ovr, 85 spd)

Big Ten Standings
1. #1 Oregon (5-0, 2-0)
2. #2 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0)
3. #14 Michigan (4-1, 2-0)
4. #25 Iowa (4-1, 2-0)
5. USC (4-1, 3-0)
6. #7 Penn State (4-1, 1-1)
7. #17 Indiana (4-1, 1-1)
8. #23 Nebraska (4-1, 1-1)
9. Wisconsin (4-1, 1-1)
10. Minnesota (4-1, 1-1)
11. Washington (4-1, 1-1)
12. UCLA (3-1, 1-1)
13. #21 Illinois (4-2, 1-2)
14. Rutgers (3-2, 0-2)
15. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2)
16. Maryland (3-2, 0-2)
17. Northwestern (2-3, 0-2)
18. Purdue (1-4, 0-2)

[six7]

That’s a classic defender name (Hurt).

Gotta stock up the defense here for Big Ten play - good additions

couple of solid signings to start off the class, stealing Antonio Page from Penn State/NC State would be huge early on the recruiting trail

yessir! love the defenders who have shown a lot of early interest, but def gonna be crucial to get that qb. page would be insane, but thats prolly a pipe dream at this point.

[Captain Canada]

Recruiting class shaping up pretty well if you can land some of those leans your way - especially those 4-stars.

Brace against Denzel Boston

[The JZA]

Getting level 1 & 2 defenders is a nice start

[Count]

Two good defenders to add to the class. Depth is so important in this game this year.

Good luck against Washington, really gotta lock down Demond Williams

[redsox907]

In a battle for Page - gonna be hard to out leverage Penn State

Washington gonna be tough - speed all across the board

[six7]

Getting level 1 & 2 defenders is a nice start

yessir, cant complain... our defense is pretty solid tbh, so i like that these dudes will step right in pretty seamlessly

Recruiting class shaping up pretty well if you can land some of those leans your way - especially those 4-stars.

Brace against Denzel Boston

would be sweet to land a 4-star recruit. could really help us out.... brah, im gonna be having him bracketed and doubled all game

Two good defenders to add to the class. Depth is so important in this game this year.

Good luck against Washington, really gotta lock down Demond Williams

yah for sure! ...pretty nervous about that speed. they have weapons all around, so im nervous to take someone out of that spy mode

In a battle for Page - gonna be hard to out leverage Penn State

Washington gonna be tough - speed all across the board

he would really make our program i think. our current qb situation is pretty lackluster tbh. if i dont land him im gonna have to try to steal a transfer since hes the last remaining qb on my board... yessir that speed is scary! qb/hb tandem plus big time receivers. gonna have to just pick my poison