PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football has been selective about who it brings into the program via the transfer portal ever since Greg Schiano returned.
For a good reason.
Schiano and his coaching staff devote ample time to evaluating potential portal targets, positioning the program to express interest as soon as a player becomes available. But studying just as much as how a player can help on the field, the staff spends just as much time evaluating how they fit in the locker room.
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For a program that preaches the importance of culture, Schiano isn’t willing to bring in a player who could disrupt it.
“The worst thing you can do is bring a cultural misfit into the program,” Schiano said during a meeting with a small group of local reporters in December. “You wouldn’t be looking at them if they weren’t a good player. If they’re a cultural misfit they’re going to come in here, they’re going to make plays, people are going to follow him and they’re going to follow him into bad places. You’ve really got to do your due diligence.”
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
That due diligence has been important since the portal opened Jan. 2, with the Scarlet Knights having bolstered crucial positions, including quarterback.
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Here’s a look at who Schiano and Rutgers have brought in so far:
Dylan Lonergan, QB
Previous school: Boston College
Nov 29, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Dylan Lonergan (9) looks to pass against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Lonergan’s addition will give the Scarlet Knights a true quarterback competition. He’ll compete with AJ Surace, Rutgers’ QB2 behind Athan Kaliakmanis last season, for the starting job. Lonergan spent the 2025 season with Boston College after two years at Alabama.
In 10 games for the Eagles this past season (nine starts), Lonergan went 190-of-284 passing (66.9 percent) for 2,025 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.
A Georgia native, Lonergan will either win the job or give Rutgers a reliable, experienced backup.
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Rondo Porter, DT
Previous school: Appalachian State
Rutgers has bolstered its defensive line via the portal, with Porter being the latest addition. The 6-foot, 295-pound Porter had 43 tackles (5.0 for loss) with two sacks this past season. Porter spent the 2024 season at South Carolina.
Malachi Davis, DE
Previous school: Toledo
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Davis spent the past three years at Toledo. He had a productive 2025 season, racking up 35 tackles with 5.5 sacks. A Michigan native, Davis has one year of eligibility remaining.
Zahmir Dawud, CB
Previous school: Villanova
Dawud was Rutgers’ first portal addition of this cycle – and the former Villanova cornerback is coming home. The 6-foot, 185-pound Dawud is a North Brunswick product. He had 44 tackles with two interceptions for the Wildcats this past season. Dawud has two years of eligibility remaining and bolsters a position that lost two transfers in Bo Mascoe (now at Texas) and Jacobie Henderson (Virginia).
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Jaedin Lee, DT
Previous school: Maine
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Lee is a high-upside addition to the defensive line. A Virginia native, Lee had 32 tackles (3.5 for loss) for the Black Bears in 2025.
Kameron Anthony, TE
Previous school: Ball State
It was a necessity for Rutgers to add depth at tight end and it took a step toward accomplishing that with the addition of Anthony. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound Anthony also drew interest from Arizona State and Illinois after he went into the portal. An Indiana native, Anthony had seven catches for 117 yards this past season.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football transfer portal additions for 2026 season
