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Recognized Players

Rutgers has had many key contributing players in it's 142-year history of college football. Dating back to the 1950s, the University has had several All-American candidates as well as a couple of once potential Heisman Trophy candidates in it's storied history.

1950s

Bill Austin, a native of Fanwood, NJ, was one of the first recognized players from Rutgers. Gifted with a twisting and elusive running style, Austin lead the Scarlet Knights in rushing for three consecutive seasons. Despite being undersized at 5'11 and 170 lbs, Austin rushed for 2,073 yards while scoring 204 points during his career at Rutgers. His 32-touchdown career ranks second in the Rutgers annals among all-time scorers. He also recorded 13 interceptions from his defensive back position, which is one short of the all-time mark.

Austin was inducted into the Rutgers Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and was recognized as an [Associated Press] All-American in 1958. That year, Austin lead the team to an 8-1 record, although the team may have had a 9-0 record if Austin did not sit out the game against the Quantico Marines with an apparent hand injury. Austin was also considered a potential Heisman Trophy candidate but the award was won by Pete Dawkins of Army Black Knights football that year. Austin went on to play for the Washington Redskins after being selected by them in 1959 NFL Draft.

1960s

In the 1960s, Alex Kroll came onto the scene as a formidable opponent. Standing 6'2" tall and weighing 228 lbs, Kroll played the center position on the offensive line. He was enrolled at Yale University for two seasons before serving in the United States Army. He later formed a bond with the football captains at Rutgers before deciding to transfer there. Kroll was extremely physical in the trenches, giving way to his spot as the captain of the team in 1961. His on-field accomplishments earned him the Associated Press All-American center award in 1961.

In his senior year biography it was noted that,"his performance and leadership in 1960 helped Rutgers to a season which surpassed even the most optimistic of the previews. He has size, speed, hustle, and an uncanny ability to call defenses best equipped to stop the enemy." Kroll was an excellent student in the classroom, played at the linebacker position at times, and helped lead Rutgers to a 17-1 record during his time at Rutgers.

1970s

The 1970s featured several great players for the Scarlet Knights. From 1971-1973, running back JJ Jennings tore up the record books, ranking him 3rd all time at Rutgers with 2,935 yards rushing. He also lead the nation in scoring during the 1973 season, with Honorable Mention of the AP All-American team.

In the late 1970s, Rutgers football, lead by legendary coach Frank Burns, showed the nation it's capabilities with an undefeated record in 1976 (11-0). That year, key contributors Nate Toran, who finished his career with 52 sacks including 17 in 1976. Toran earned 2nd team AP All-American that year and was joined by honorable mentions John Alexander, Jim Hughes, Henry Jenkins, and Mark Twitty.

1980s

An array of different players from the 1980s lead Rutgers to match ups against teams such as Penn State, Michigan State, Alabama, and more. During the time, Deron Cherry, a standout safety for Rutgers, was an honorable AP All-American in 1980, followed by his teammate quarterback Ed McMichael.

Other standouts included Jim Dumont Sr., Tyronne Stowe, who holds the all time record of 533 tackles. In the late 1980s, Scott Erney was an Honorable AP All-American mention leading the team to key victories in 1988 over Michigan State and Penn State. Wide Receiver Eric Young, who later went on to play baseball in the MLB, was another Honorable AP All-American mention.

1990s

The early 1990s brought in a great recruiting class for Rutgers Football, featuring running backs Bruce Presley and Terrell Willis. Together they were known as "Thunder and Lightning," they racked up 5,889 yards combined earning Presley 2nd team Freshman All-American honors in 1992, and Willis 1st team Freshman All-American honors in 1993.

In 1994, tight end Marco Battaglia came onto the scene as a force. In his career "On the Banks," Marco went from 27 catches, to 58, to 69 catches in 1995. With great size at 6'3 245 lbs, he was a determined and hard working player drafted in the 2nd round of the 1996 NFL draft.

2000s

The one player that has stood out as an icon in Rutgers Football is running back Ray Rice. Recruited out of New Rochelle HS in New York, Rice beat out 4 other running backs his freshman year to earn a starting spot in 2005. He racked up 1,120 yards that season. In 2006 Rice finished second in the nation in rushing and was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in the country. By 2007, Rutgers University had set up a Heisman campaign for Rice. By the end of his career, Ray had amassed 4,926 yards on the ground and leads the Rutgers record book in almost every rushing category. He was 2nd team AP All-American two years in a row ('06-'07).

Defensive Tackle Eric Foster was also a force earning 1st team AP All-American in 2006 and 2nd team in 2007. Wide Receiver Kenny Britt, Tackle Anthony Davis, and Defensive Back Devin McCourty were also Honorable Mentions on the AP All-American team during their careers.