Rutgers Places 11 Players on Phil Steele's Mid-Season All-Conference Team

Halfway through the season, the Rutgers University football team has a slew of all-conference players, according to Phil Steele.

The Scarlet Knights put 11 players on the publication’s midseason all-American Athletic Conference team. Five players from offense were named to the squad, as were five players from the defense and one special teams performer.

Three offensive players were named to the first team, including running back Paul James, center Betim Bujari and guard Kaleb Johnson. Linebacker Steve Longa and lineman Marcus Thompson made the first team defense.

James, a sophomore from Glassboro, leads the conference with 573 rushing yards and six touchdowns, according to a press release from the University. Johnson, a junior, has started the last 30 games and Bujari, a junior from Edison, started five games this season.

Longa, a redshirt freshman from Saddle Brook, is third in the conference with 61 tackles. He also has three sacks and six tackles for loss. Thompson, a senior, is tied for fourth in the league with 3.5 sacks.

Freshman receiver Janarion Grant was the only Scarlet Knight named for special teams play. He was named to the first team, and has a kickoff and a punt return for a touchdown this year.

Sophomore receiver Leonte Carroo, of Edison, was named to the second team offense. He leads the conference with seven receiving touchdowns.

Sophomore lineman Darius Hamilton and junior defensive back Lorenzo Waters were named to the second team defense.  Hamilton, of West Paterson, has 23 tackles, including four for loss. Waters has 33 tackles and one interception and has broken up five passes this season.

Junior quarterback Gary Nova, of Elmwood Park, was named to the third team offense. He is second in the conference with 14 touchdown passes.

Junior linebacker Kevin Snyder made the third team defense. He’s tied for 11th in the conference with 42 sacks.

Rutgers is 4-2 this season, 1-1 in conference play. They have a bye week this week before returning to action at home against Houston on Oct. 26, noon. TV coverage will be announced following this weekend’s games.