Two former Rutgers wide receivers have signed NFL contracts as undrafted free agents, as Isaiah Washington has signed with the Baltimore Ravens and JaQuae Jackson has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The deals were both announced tonight after the NFL Draft concluded.
Washington played five seasons at Rutgers, finishing his senior year with 25 receptions for 321 yards and one touchdown last fall. Washington initially joined the Scarlet Knights in 2019 under former head coach Chris Ash and remained a part of the program through the first four years of Greg Schiano's second tenure at Rutgers.
Washington cited his time playing under Schiano as a key factor in helping prepare him for the NFL Draft.
"What I've learned from Rutgers and coach Schiano himself is just how to be mentally tough," Washington told Scarlet Nation after Rutgers' Pro Day event on March 28. "Training for any type of [event], whether it's the combine or your pro day, it takes a lot of mental toughness, takes a lot of discipline, takes a lot of not doing what you want to do and doing what's necessary. I trained up here, so whether it's not seeing your family for a little bit even though you just got done with the season, or it's just really locking in and trying to take that next step to be an NFL player."
Washington is the second former Rutgers receiver to sign with Baltimore in as many years, following the footsteps of former teammate Sean Ryan who signed a rookie-free agent with the Ravens in 2023.
Jackson played only one season at Rutgers after arriving as a graduate transfer from Division II California (Pa.). In 2023, Jackson finished with 22 catches for 361 receiving yards and one touchdown. Before coming to Rutgers last season, Jackson was named a Division II All-American in 2022 after finishing his senior year at California with 77 catches for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns.
After Pro Day, Jackson told Scarlet Nation why he also felt his time at Rutgers played a big part in preparing him to pursue a professional career.
"You guys have seen plays I've made playing against the best of the best in the Big Ten [and] playing against the best defenses every single week," Jackson said. "I'm out there competing and making plays - making explosive plays at that. That's what I came here to do."
One Rutgers player was selected in the draft, as cornerback Max Melton was picked in the second round with the 43rd pick by the Arizona Cardinals. In addition to Washington and Jackson, defensive tackle Isaiah Iton has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans.