Rutgers transfer offensive lineman Jaelyne Matthews commits to Florida State

Rutgers transfer offensive lineman Jaelyne Matthews has committed to Florida State, On3 has learned. He’ll depart Piscataway without ever playing a game for the Scarlet Knights, and join the Seminoles in their quest to rebound from a dismal 2024.

Originally, Rutgers was first to offer the 6-foot-5, 295-pounder, and they won out in his recruitment against some other big-time programs. The school was less than an hour from his home, and Matthews visited it more than any other program on his list. That gave Greg Schiano time to build that relationship, which ended up being a big factor in his decision at the time.

“The connection me and coach Schiano have is different,” Matthews told On3’s Chad Simmons. “He is a great guy with the same principles and morals that my family has. He is going to train me to be the best man I can be off the field and push me to be the best football player I can be on the field. 

“As soon as coach Schiano got there, he took over my recruitment and made me a priority. He got on me my sophomore year, then really came hard my junior year and how we built that relationship over time really made an impact on my decision.

“Coach Schiano is a father figure to me. He has taken me under his wing. He wanted me at Rutgers. We can talk about anything. I look up to him like I do my dad, I trust that he cares about me and I know I am going to play for a great man.”

Evidently, Florida State came a-calling, and the offer was too good to pass up. Matthews played high school football at Toms River North (Toms River, NJ), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 607 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s on to Tallahassee now.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on the Florida State Seminoles, NCAA Transfer Portal

Earlier this offseason, former Tennessee wide receiver Squirrel White committed to Florida State via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. White initially entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27, and he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.

White played three seasons at Tennessee, amassing 38 appearances. While with the Volunteers, White amassed 131 catches for 1,665 yards and six touchdowns. White’s best career season came in 2023 when he caught 67 passes for 803 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately, a slew of injuries slowed White down in the 2024 campaign. He was banged up earlier in the season and was on the injury report through much of October. Nonetheless, White ultimately didn’t miss a game despite his ailments.

Although White showed toughness this season, his statistics suffered from his injuries. White recorded a career-low 381 receiving yards on 34 catches in the 2024 campaign.

White was a four-star prospect in the 2021 signing class. He played high school football at Clay-Chalkville (Al.) High School where he was the No. 371 overall prospect in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Now, he will look to find success at Florida State.

— On3’s Chad Simmons and Grant Grubbs contributed to this article.