Rutgers 2027 DE Commitment
Rutgers Football Secures Commitment from Georgia Defensive End for 2027 Recruiting Class
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Rutgers football added another piece to its 2027 recruiting class on June 16, landing a commitment from Dallas Ward, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end from Peachtree City, Georgia. Ward chose the Scarlet Knights over Big Ten rivals Michigan State and Minnesota, as well as Cincinnati, according to North Jersey.
The commitment pushes Rutgers to 21 players in its 2027 class and lifts the program to No. 30 in the national rankings — the highest it has been at this stage under head coach Greg Schiano's second tenure, per 247Sports.
Ward Picks Rutgers After Three Official Visits
Ward made his decision after visiting all three finalists. He traveled to Piscataway for an official visit May 29–31, then went to Michigan State June 5–7 and Minnesota June 12–14. His Rutgers visit stood out. "They have a unique plan for me and that really stuck out to me," Ward said, according to 247Sports.
The specific plan involved using Ward as a "standing edge" rusher — a pass rusher who lines up on his feet rather than in a traditional stance. On3 noted that this role set Rutgers apart from other programs, which viewed Ward as a more conventional defensive end. That scheme fit was the deciding factor in his choice.
New Defensive Line Coach Beats His Former Employer
Defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter was the lead recruiter for Ward. Rutgers hired Dottin-Carter in February 2026 — from Minnesota. He used his Big Ten experience to beat his former employer for the commitment, according to Bleav.
Dottin-Carter's unit at Minnesota led the Big Ten in sacks in 2025. Rutgers recruiters used that stat heavily during Ward's visit to show what the coaching staff could do for his development. Defensive coordinator Travis Johansen also played a key role. He spotted Ward on film in late March 2026 and pushed for the scholarship offer.
Ward Recorded 9 Sacks as a Georgia Junior
Ward is a three-star prospect rated 87 by 247Sports. In his 2025 junior season at McIntosh High School, he recorded 9 sacks, 7 to 9 tackles for loss, and 45 total tackles, per The Knight Report. He also runs the 100 meters in 11.78 seconds — rare speed for a 250-pound lineman.
Recruiting analyst Bobby Deren of Scarlet Nation said Ward is a "strong candidate to move up in the rankings" during his senior season. His combination of size, production, and speed makes him a player whose three-star grade may not hold by the time he arrives on campus.
Rutgers Builds a Georgia Pipeline to Hedge Its Northeast Base
Ward is the second Georgia native committed to Rutgers' 2027 class. Safety Dextavion Reese committed June 6, just 10 days earlier, according to Scarlet Nation. Schiano has made the Atlanta-to-Newark flight path a key part of his national recruiting strategy as Big Ten competition makes it harder to keep top New Jersey talent home.
The 2027 class now has 21 commitments, all three-star prospects. The Knight Report expects the class to finish in the Top 25 nationally if Rutgers can close on remaining targets in Florida and New Jersey. Analysts note the program's ability to push these players into four-star status during their senior years will define whether this class breaks into the Top 20.
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