2026 TE DJ Howerton commits to Rutgers

Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley three-star tight end DJ Howerton has committed to Rutgers, he announced on Tuesday afternoon.

He chose Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights after taking an official visit to Piscataway over the weekend. He’s also considered the likes of NC State, Florida and Florida State.

Howerton is the No. 916 overall prospect and No. 49 TE in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 39 player in North Carolina.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder hauled in seven touchdowns as a junior for Grimsley. Playing alongside Tennessee five-star quarterback commit Faizon Brandon, Howerton helped lead the Whirlies to an undefeated 2024 season that culminated with a North Carolina state championship. They finished as the No. 28 team in the nation, per the On3 Composite Rankings.

Rutgers continues to build big 2026 class

Coming out a big official visit weekend, Rutgers has now added eight commitments since May 31. The class now features 18 total pledges and ranks No. 27 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Four blue-chip prospects are in the class to date. Louisa County (Va.) four-star wide receiver Dyzier Carter committed last July and now ranks as the No. 215 recruit and No. 34 wideout overall. January brought pledges from Philadelphia Neumann Goretti four-star athlete Wydeek Collier and Towson (Md.) Calvert Hall four-star safety Chris Hewitt.

Ahead of this weekend spurt of commitments, Stockbridge (Ga.) Woodland four-star interior offensive lineman Jared Smith announced his pledge on May 23. Smith is the No. 26 IOL in the cycle and one of six O-linemen in the class, alongside Fayetteville (N.C.) Pine Forest three-star IOL Donovan Johnson, West Chester (Pa.) East three-star OT Tyler Duell, Leland (N.C.) North Brunswick three-star OT Tyrell Simpson and others.

Other top commits in the class include: Harrisburg (Pa.) three-star WR Elias Coke, Fleming Island (Fla.) three-star safety Sebastian Cruz, Haymarket (Va.) Battlefield three-star cornerback Brandon Murray, Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) VCA three-star linebacker Joey Kopec and Fort Washington (Pa.) Germantown Academy three-star quarterback Xavier Stearn.