Is Your Favorite College Football Team Hiding a Shocking Truth About Player Development? You Won't Believe the Stats!

Rutgers University's football program, under the leadership of head coach Greg Schiano, has long prided itself on being a “developmental program.” This philosophy serves as both a badge of honor and a point of contention among fans. Schiano’s ability to transform lower-graded talent into capable starters is notable; he has successfully turned walk-ons and two-star recruits into players who’ve earned spots on NFL rosters. For instance, players like offensive tackle Hollin Pierce (a walk-on) and wide receiver Christian Dremel (another walk-on) exemplify this trend, alongside cornerback Christian Braswell (two-star), safety Christian Izien (three-star), and running back Kyle Monangai (a low three-star). Out of these five athletes, four have made the leap to the NFL, underscoring the effectiveness of Schiano's developmental coaching.

In the 2025 season, this developmental ethos appeared to yield positive results on offense. Players like KJ Duff, Antwan Raymond, and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, along with the offensive linemen, showed noticeable improvement from the previous season. Their growth through the offseason illustrated that the program’s commitment to player development was bearing fruit. However, a stark contrast emerged on the defensive side; many players showed regression rather than growth.

Particularly concerning was the performance of recent transfers. Players such as Bradley Weaver, Jett Elad, Eric O’Neill, and Jacobie Henderson had all been stars at their previous schools but struggled to adapt to the demands of the Big Ten. This raises questions about the effectiveness of their transition to Rutgers. While Elad and O’Neill displayed some promise late in the season, the overall lack of acclimatization among defensive transfers suggests a failure in player development. The reality that none of them adjusted successfully to the rigors of Big Ten football, aside from limited contributions from Elad and O'Neill, points to a broader issue in how the staff is developing talent on defense.

Returning players also faced setbacks. Linebacker Dariel Djabome, who had been a standout the previous year, and safety Kaj Sanders, who showed great potential as a freshman, both saw declines in their performance under new position coaches. This trend raises an important question: Do players simply forget how to excel? It’s unlikely; rather, the regression speaks to a breakdown in the developmental process that Schiano espouses.

The sentiment among Rutgers fans regarding the term “developmental program” has grown increasingly negative. Much of this discontent stems from the perception that the program has failed to develop its defensive talent effectively this past season. If transfers had been appropriately prepared for the demands of the Big Ten and if the existing talent had continued its upward trajectory, the label of a developmental program might have been more fitting. Instead, it seems the issue lies not in the concept itself but in the execution of it.

Despite the challenges on the defense, Schiano remains committed to the identity of a developmental program. Given Rutgers’ limitations in consistently attracting elite recruits, this approach is not inherently flawed. On offense, the recent season has validated that the program can indeed cultivate talent effectively. Moving forward, however, the focus must shift to the defensive side. The series of questionable coaching hires for that unit has hindered the team’s ability to develop players adequately.

As Rutgers looks ahead, making sound coaching decisions will be crucial for regaining the trajectory towards becoming a more competitive team. If the Scarlet Knights can reinforce their defensive coaching staff, they have the potential to reclaim their status as a developmental force in college football, especially in a conference as formidable as the Big Ten.