Six Scarlet Knights Sign NFL Contracts

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Following the NFL Draft, six from Rutgers football are set to sign NFL contracts and participate in upcoming rookie minicamps. The group joins Christian Braswell, drafted in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the newest NFL Knights. Overall, this makes it 97 Scarlet Knights to join the NFL after playing for head coach Greg Schiano.

In addition, Keenan Reid earned an invitation to compete at the New York Jets’ rookie minicamp.

DRAFT

DB Christian Braswell: Jacksonville Jaguars (sixth round, pick 202)

SIGNINGS

WR Aron Cruickshank: Chicago Bears

OL J.D. DiRenzo: Carolina Panthers

DB Christian Izien: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DL Ifeanyi Maijeh: Seattle Seahawks

WR Sean Ryan: Baltimore Ravens

DB Avery Young: San Francisco 49ers

ROOKIE MINICAMP INVITE

DB Keenan Reid: New York Jets

ARON CRUICKSHANK – CHICAGO BEARS

Earning various All-Big Ten recognitions in each of the last four years, Cruickshank totaled 4,042 career all-purpose yards (2,564 kickoff return, 908 receiving, 360 rushing, 210 punt return) in 55 collegiate games. The New York native scored 13 touchdowns (five receiving, four kickoff return, three rushing, one punt return), including two on kickoff returns in 2020 to earn the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and honorable mention All-America status from Phil Steele.

Often kicked away from by opponents, Cruickshank averaged 20.6 yards on 18 kickoff returns in 2022 and was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list with team-highs in all-purpose yards (913) and receptions (42). He suffered a season-ending injury in 2021, previously scoring a 75-yard receiving touchdown versus Ohio State and ripping off a 62-yard punt return score versus Delaware. In 2020, Cruickshank ranked fourth nationally and first in the Big Ten with 671 combined kick return yards to earn the conference’s top honor for returns. His 1,357 kickoff return yards the past three seasons rank sixth in Rutgers history.

J.D. DIRENZO – CAROLINA PANTHERS

DiRenzo started all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights in his lone season with the program in 2022, including nine at left guard and three at left tackle. He helped RU rush for 212 yards in the season-opening win at Boston College that saw the offense put together a go-ahead, 96-yard drive all on the ground. Then versus Indiana, the unit allowed no sacks and held the ball for 38:53 in the victory.

DiRenzo moved to left tackle at Michigan State as the offense totaled…