Rutgers Top 10 Highest NFL Draft Picks of the Century

Since 2000, the Rutgers football program has produced 27 NFL draft prospects and several others have joined organizations as undrafted free agents. Although it may not seem like a lot of Scarlet Knights have been drafted over the past two decades, the program has come a long way given the fact that only 29 players were drafted from 1939-1999. There also expects to be a growing number of players selected now that head coach Greg Schiano is back in charge.

Since the turn of the century, Rutgers has been putting players in the NFL Draft. Here is a look at the top NFL Draft picks to come through the program since 2000. This list features 11 players as two tied for the No.7 and No.4 spots after being selected at the same slot in their respective NFL Drafts.

9.) Tyler Kroft

Position: Tight End High School: Downingtown West (Downingtown, Pa.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2013

In 2015, tight end Tyler Kroft was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No.85 overall pick in the third round. Kroft caught 11 catches for 129 yards and one touchdown in his rookie season. He played four seasons with the Bengals before playing two years with the Buffalo Bills. Tyler Kroft now plays tight end for the New York Jets.

8. Jeremey Zuttah

Position: Offensive Line High School: JP Stevens (Edison, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2004

Another Scarlet Knight selected with the No.83 pick in the third round, was offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah. The New Jersey native was drafted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, and then traded to the Baltimore Ravens before the 2014 NFL season. Jeremy Zuttah started 117 out 131 total career games and was selected to a pro bowl in 2016.

7. Mohamed Sanu

Position: Athlete High School: South Brunswick (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2009

In 2012, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Rutgers all-time leading receiver Mohammed Sanu in the third round with the No.83 overall pick. Sanu had 152 catches for 1,793 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Bengals before signing a five-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Sanu has also had two different stints with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. Earlier this year, the San Francisco 49ers signed the South Brunswick native to a one-year deal.

7. Logan Ryan

Position: Cornerback High School: Eastern (Voorhees, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2009

With the No.83 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, cornerback Logan Ryan was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round. Ryan intercepted five passes in his rookie season and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX. Currently, the standout defensive back plays in his native state with the New York Giants. He recently signed a contract extension to stay with the Giants through the 2023 season.

6. L.J. Smith

Position: Tight End High School: Highland Park (Highland Park, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 1999

In 2003, tight end L.J. Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round with pick No.63. Smith was the first early-round pick out of Rutgers during their new era. Over a seven-year NFL career, Smith manufactured 233 total catches for 2,556 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

5. Ray Rice

Position: Running Back High School: New Rochelle (New Rochelle, N.Y.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2005

Arguably the greatest player in the history of the program, running back Ray Rice was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round in 2008. Ray Rice, somehow, slipped to the Ravens at the 55th overall pick due to size concerns. Rice ran for 1000 yards in four of his six NFL seasons. He also helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.

4. Kemoko Turay

Position: Defensive End High School: Barringer (Newark, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2013

Following an up-and-down five years at Rutgers, Turay was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Turay's potential was never fully maximized at the college level, but that did not stop the Indianapolis Colts from taking Turay in the second round. Thus far, his NFL career has been slowed by injury, which also bothered Turay during his time at Rutgers. However, his best football could still be ahead of him.

4. Brian Leonard

Position: Running Back High School: Gouvernor High (Gouvenor, N.Y.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2003

Drafted with the 52nd pick in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, running back Brian Leonard had a solid eight-year career before retiring after the 2014 season. Leonard played with the St. Louis Rams for two years, the Cincinnati Bengals for four, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints for a year a piece. Brian Leonard rushed for 828 total career yards in 88 games and caught one touchdown.

3. Kenny Britt

Position: Wide Receiver High School: Bayonne (Bayonne, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2006

In 2009, wide receiver Kenny Britt became the first Scarlet Knight selected in the first round. With the 30th pick, the Tennessee Titans selected the Bayonne native. Britt did not play his entire career with the Titans. He played with St. Louis Rams for three years, Cleveland for one, and finished off with one season in New England. Although his career was plagued by injuries, Britt played in 116 NFL games. The former Knight caught 329 passes for 5,137 yards and 32 touchdowns.

2. Devin McCourty

Position: Cornerback High School: St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2010

In 2010, defensive back Devin McCourty was taken by the New England Patriots with the 27th pick in the first round. McCourty has had a very successful career in the NFL which includes: 2 pro bowl appearances, three-second team All-Pros, and three Super Bowl rings. McCourty also got the chance to play in and win Super Bowl LIII alongside his brother, Jason, another Rutgers football alumni.

1. Anthony Davis

Position: Offensive Line High School: Piscataway (Piscataway, N.J.) Incoming Class at Rutgers: 2007

In 2010, offensive lineman Anthony Davis was selected with the 11th pick of the first round. Born and raised in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Scarlet Knight became the highest Rutgers draft pick when the San Francisco 49ers picked him. Davis went on to start 71 games for the 49ers between 2010-2016. Davis stepped away from the game at an early age in order to let his body heal. However, Davis was reinstated by the NFL in 2019. It remains to be seen if any NFL team will give the former Rutgers star a shot.