Rutgers football has landed a big player as JaQuae Jackson will be transferring to the Scarlet Knights. Jackson is a three-star transfer from the California University of Pennsylvania. The six foot three inches wide receiver entered the portal in March and now lands with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Here is a look at JaQuae Jackson and how it will help Rutgers in 2023.
JaQuae Jackson
WR JaQuae Jackson – Jeff Helsel/Cal Times
JaQuae Jackson at California (PA)
Jackson committed to the university in 2018 and then played from 2019 to 2022. In 2022, Jackson had 77 receptions for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns, according to the university’s website. His longest reception was for 73 yards but he averaged 15.3 yards per reception. Jackson can also rush the ball but never did anything big. In 2022, he rushed the ball just three times for 12 yards and two touchdowns. In three years, he scored 25 total touchdowns.
JaQuae Jackson’s Impact on Rutgers
Looking back at the Rutgers 2022 season, the top three receivers were Sean Ryan, Aron Cruickshank, and Johnny Langan. The tight end Langan will be returning in 2023. The other two have moved on from college football. Even the team’s fourth receiver, Shameen Jones, had his final season in 2022. This makes the wide receiver room wide open for the Scarlet Knights.
As a team, Rutgers only scored 11 receiving touchdowns in 2022, and that is not enough. Jackson scored 13 himself in 2022. Between his height and a wide-open receiving core, Jackson has a chance to be a big-time player for the Scarle Knights. Jackson chose to go to Rutgers over Colorado, Texas A&M, Miami, Michigan State, and more. Clearly, Jackson is serious about playing for the Scarlet Knights, making this a big deal for Rutgers.
Although Jackson never had a strong run game, it could help Rutgers that he is willing to play that way. Kyle Monangai will be the top running back for the Scarlet Knights. As long as he stays healthy, the team will have a strong run game. Samuel Brown V also had a big season for Rutgers, despite being a freshman. The team is safe with those two starting, but being able to play Jackson can always help. There is a chance that the offense can fake out the defense and utilize the receiver. This can give the offense the advantage they have been searching for.
WR JaQuae Jackson – Jeff Helsel/Cal Times
JaQuae Jackson Adjustment Period
Jackson missed out on the Scarlet-White game, so it may take some adjustment, but luckily the start of Rutgers’ schedule is not too bad. The first three opponents that Rutgers face is Northwestern, Temple, and Virginia Tech. Northwestern only won one game in 2022, and Rutgers beat Temple last season as well. Virginia Tech won just three games in 2022. As these are set to be weaker opponents, Jackson should have enough time to adjust and become a playmaker for the Scarlet Knights.
The first major opponent that the Scarlet Knights face is week four against Michigan. The most difficult part for Jackson may be if Rutgers continues to rotate their quarterbacks. It can be challenging for him to build chemistry if there is a constant rotation. The two quarterbacks that will be rotated are Gavin Wimsatt and Evan Simon. Neither of the two had an overly impressive spring game for Rutgers. While Wimsatt is the projected starter, anything can happen, and a rotation is a probable expectation for 2023.
Wide receiver JaQuae Jackson has up to two years of eligibility left after only playing for three years so far. He may be coming from a Division Two school, but that does not mean anything. Jackson is a big receiver, and the Scarlet Knights need a player like him. No one knows what to expect with the Rutgers offense, but Jackson can bring out the passing game the university has been looking for.
