Three Scarlet Knights Latch On as Undrafted Free Agents

LB Kevin Snyder (45)

While Tyler Kroft (Cincinnati Bengals) and Michael Burton (Detroit Lions) were drafted on Friday and Saturday respectively, three other former Scarlet Knights were taken by teams as undrafted free agents.

Linebacker Kevin Snyder joins Burton on the Lions, wide receiver Andrew Turzilli latched on with the Tennessee Titans and offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson was brought in by the Ravens.

Snyder, a Mechanicsburg, Pa. native, played all three linebacker positions during his tenure “on the banks” including in the middle his senior year. Snyder played since he was a freshman, playing in 51 career games and finished fourth on the team this past season with 63 tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Johnson was a mainstay along the offensive line, starting at both tackle and guard. The Jacksonville FL. Native started the final 50 games of his career, but was snubbed of a combine invitation in February. Johnson did the best he could with a strong Pro Day pumping out 34 reps in the bench press. The Ravens I’m sure liked his durability and versatility.

Turzilli, a Butler, N.J. native, transferred from University of Kansas as a graduate student transfer and finished with 347 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 10 catches in 11 games for Rutgers. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder ran a blazing 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the school’s Pro Day, showing up the ability to catch deep passes down the sideline. Turzilli, if he sticks, will get an opportunity to catch passes for this year’s second overall selection, quarterback Marcus Mariota from Oregon.

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A slew of eligible players also picked up an opportunity to go to a team’s rookie minicamp tryout. Quarterback Gary Nova earned a chance with the New York Giants for a tryout. The Giants usually carry two quarterbacks and already have Eli Manning, Ryan Nassib, and Ricky Stanzi.

QB Gary Nova

The 6-foot-1, 22-pound Elmwood Park, N.J. native showed inconsistency as a Scarlet Knight playing in 46 career games, starting 41. The former three-star recruit out of Don Bosco Prep finished second in Rutgers history with 9,258 career passing yards.

Some games, Nova looked like an NFL caliber quarterback, calm, cool, and collected in the pocket throwing strike after strike. However, some games Nova would struggle including a puzzling six-interception day against Kent State in 2012.

Former center Betim Bujari earned a tryout with the New York Jets, a short drive from Secaucus, N.J. Bujari played mostly center, but spent some time at guard as well. He started 36 games as Scarlet Knight.

Former safety Lorenzo Waters and cornerback Gareef Glashen earned tryout invitations with the Cleveland Browns. Waters was a three-year starter at strong safety and displayed a knack for playing in the box being stout against the run. Waters finished out his career at Rutgers on a high note, totaling 14 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick in the Quick Lane Bowl in December.

After being stuck behind what would be NFL bound defensive backs who Waters played with as a sophomore, Glashen got a chance to play his final two seasons, making the most out of his 5-foot-9, 177-pound frame.

Defensive tackle Kenny Kirksey and defensive back Jonathan Aiken have not received any tryout invitations up to this point.