Ranking Drop Signals Growing Challenges
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg recently released his future power rankings for the 2027 college football season, placing Rutgers at No. 56, a slide of 13 spots from the previous year. The ranking reflects a composite assessment that weighs quarterback play, line performance, coaching continuity, roster depth and overall star power.
The Scarlet Knights’ descent is tied to two primary concerns. First, the quarterback position remains unsettled after the departure of Athan Kaliakmanis, who last season posted 3,124 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. The coaching staff now faces a battle between Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan and returning junior AJ Surace for the starting role. Second, the defensive side of the ball will be rebuilt, with several key contributors — including wide receiver Ian Strong, offensive tackle Taj White, cornerbacks Bo Mascoe and Jacobie Henderson — having entered the transfer portal.
Despite the losses, Rutgers managed to retain several important pieces, notably KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond, and added depth by securing the nation’s No. 38 recruiting class. The new recruiting class brings a mix of size and speed that could help offset the turnover on both sides of the ball.
Head coach Greg Schiano, now in his second stint with the program, will be tasked with integrating the new pieces while stabilizing the quarterback competition. Early indications suggest the staff is focused on engineering a Year 1 impact on defense, hoping to tighten a unit that struggled with consistency last season.
If the quarterback battle yields a clear starter and the defense clicks early, the Scarlet Knights could reverse the downward trend and climb back into contention within the Big Ten. For now, the rankings serve as a reminder that the program still has ground to cover before it can be considered a consistent force in the conference.