2026 Rutgers NFL Draft Watch: Staten Island Strong Man Flexes For NFL Scouts

Scarlet Knights land premier pass-rush prospect to help transform the defense.

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BY POSITION: QB || RB || WR || TE || OT || OG || C || DT || ER || LB || CB || S

TOP 10 RUTGERS PROSPECTS FOR 2026

Location: Piscataway, NJ || Conference: B1G || Head Coach: Greg Schiano (16 Years: 94-101) || NFL Draft Picks Under Schiano: 24 (1.5/year) || NFL 1st Round Picks Schiano: 3 || Scarlet Knights in NFL: 21

1. Eric O’Neil, ER, rSr, 6025, 250, 4.76e (photo: Rutgers Athletics)

Evaluation: Possibly the biggest portal splash that Rutgers has ever made, the local Tri-State product O’Neil arrives at Piscataway with plenty of hype and hoopla. He has dominated the competition at the FCS and mid-major levels. Now, he sets upon a mission to prove his worth in the B1G. A hair-on-fire type who plays with a maniacal passion, O’Neil has earned a reputation as a backfield disruptor. He owns the ability to set the edge against the run, or can pin his ears back and go get the quarterback when his team is in need of a timely sack. What he lacks in size and measurables, he more than compensates with