Rutgers to the Jets has been a solid pipeline for unheralded prospects in recent years. Saquon Hampton spent time on the active roster in 2020 before being placed on IR and eventually cut on May 7, 2021, and Bless Austin, despite being a 6th round pick in 2019, has appeared in 18 games over the last two years.
And while it was much longer ago, let’s not forget arguably the two best Rutgers alum to wear a New York Jets uniform: the man who nearly rescued the 1999 season – quarterback Ray Lucas – and the pass rusher who sacked Tom Brady not once, but TWICE in a single game back in 2011, 2 time All Big East DE Jamaal Westerman.
So it is not a surprise that in a year where scouting was limited, that the Jets would go to local areas for undrafted free agents and they have gone for a pair of Scarlet Knights in hopes of unearthing diamonds in the rough.
After the 2021 draft, the Jets signed Michael Dwumfour, a 6’1”, 296 lb. defensive tackle, and Brandon White a 6’2”, 220 lb. DB who were both transfers into Rutgers for the 2020 season.
Greg Schiano, who is in his second stint with Rutgers and is known for coaching aggressive defenses, and developing defensive players into NFL players, utilized both Dwumfour and White for just one season in Piscataway, but helped get both players the exposure they needed prior to the 2021 NFL draft.
After struggling for playing time at Ohio State, Brendon White entered the transfer portal and ended up at Rutgers for his Senior season. A former 4-star recruit according to 247 sports and its 247 Composite Rankings, White committed initially to Ohio State, where he spent his first three seasons. White decided to forgo his free year of Covid eligibiliy to try to make it in the NFL.
White is a rangy, athletic defensive back who spent some time playing CB, but also played some safety in Rutgers’ defense. One of the hallmarks of Schiano’s secondary is having flexible, positionless DBs who like to hit everything and make plays on the ball.
A few years ago, I told you Bless Austin could stick on an NFL roster, but with White, I don’t think that is the case. His 4.60 40-time is definitely a concern and the question will be, if he plays quicker than those numbers indicate.
Michael Dwumfour however, is an intriguing prospect. Slightly undersized, Dwumfour possesses the quickness and instincts to seemingly always be around the ball.
A transfer in from Michigan, Dwumfour filled the role that Schiano has seen Ryan Neill, and recent NFL player Eric Foster play for the Scarlet Knights. Both slightly undersized, but aggressive defenders, Foster and Neill cracked NFL rosters for the better part of five and four seasons respectively.
Dwumfour could follow in their footsteps and at least find his way to the two-deep or three-deep for the Jets.
