Transfer JaQuae Jackson ‘important get’ for inexperienced group of Rutgers receivers

The position group with a glaring lack of experience now has two veteran wide receivers to lead the way. After graduating its top three pass-catchers from a season ago, Rutgers hit the transfer portal early in the process and again towards the end to bring in a pair of potential game-changers for its offense. Naseim Brantley, a FCS All-American from Western Illinois, committed to the Scarlet Knights in January. Then, Rutgers landed a potential No. 1 receiver in JaQuae Jackson last month, fulfilling a promise coach Greg Schiano made to bolster his offense. Jackson, a 6-3, 180-pound senior from California University of Pennsylvania who took official visits to the University of Miami, Texas A&M, Colorado and Pitt, chose the Scarlet Knights after amassing a 1,200-yard, 15-touchdown season last year the Division 2 level. “I told you at one point, we’re going to try, and now we wound up with two receivers from the portal, one early in the process and one at the end here,” Schiano said Monday at his charity golf classic at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. “I think between those two guys, adding to what is a really talented, young receiver corps, I think it’s a good mix, a good bridge. We’re excited about that.” Wide receiver is the only position group that Rutgers does not return a starter from a season ago. Still, Schiano thinks Jackson’s addition was “an important get” and one that should benefit sophomore quarterback Gavin Wimsatt’s development. “I think he is a really good receiver,” Schiano said. “I’ve always told you guys: when we go into the portal, not only do they need to fit a need and they have to be a really good player, but they have to be a cultural fit. He’s an incredible worker, he loves football, he’s been just really so aggressively attacking, learning the scheme, learning the techniques. I’m excited. I think he can really bring a really good element to our offense.” That offense faltered last season as shaky quarterback play was one of several reasons why the Scarlet Knights ranked near the bottom of almost every offensive statistic. Outside of its two transfers, the wide receiver room returns seniors Isaiah Washington and Christian Dremel as its most experienced players along with junior Chris Long, who had 15 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown last season. Schiano also thinks the team’s young talent could make a difference when the season kicks off Sept. 3 at home against Northwestern. Newcomers Ian Strong, Dylan Braithwaite and Jesse Ofurie and Famah Toure — along with sophomore Rashad Rochelle – hope to fill in the gaps left by Schiano’s bolstered core of veterans.