RUTGERS’ CANADIAN FOOTPRINT: RAYMOND, DJABOME AND ELAD SET TO TAKE ON WASHINGTON
Updated: Oct 31
SEATTLE — On Friday night, Husky Stadium will host a matchup flavored with both Big Ten grit… and a touch of maple.
When Rutgers (3–2) faces Washington (4–1), three Canadians will play central roles in the Scarlet Knights’ hopes: Antwan Raymond, Dariel Djabome, and Jett Elad.Three names, two provinces (Quebec and Ontario), three different paths — yet the same pride: proving that Canadian football talent has nothing to envy from its southern neighbor.
A PIPELINE THAT CROSSES BORDERS
Since returning to lead the program, Greg Schiano has built Rutgers’ identity on discipline and hard work. But the New Jersey head coach also realized that north of the border, there’s no shortage of talent. In just a few years, he has established a genuine Canadian pipeline, connecting the Big Ten to the football fields of Quebec and Ontario.
Today, that strategy is paying off. The Canadians at Rutgers are no longer role players, they are the backbone of the team. Raymond, the running back from Montreal, leads the offense. Djabome, the linebacker from Longueuil, is the captain and heart of the defense. And Elad, the defensive back from Mississauga, provides veteran leadership in the secondary.
Together, they embody a generation of Canadian athletes capable of competing and thriving at the highest level of college football.
ANTWAN RAYMOND — THE NEW FORCE ON THE GROUND
Last season, Rutgers relied heavily on Kyle Monangai, who has since moved on to the Chicago Bears.In 2025, Antwan Raymond, a sophomore from Montreal, has seamlessly taken over the reins.
Through five games, he’s already totaled 471 rushing yards on 87 carries for 9 touchdowns, ranking 18th nationally in attempts, 23rd in yards, and tied for 2nd in touchdowns, just behind Washington star Jonah Coleman (11).
According to Pro Football Focus, Raymond averages 4.2 yards after contact (14th-best in the nation) and has already forced 33 missed tackles, the third-highest total in the FBS.Numbers that highlight his explosiveness and resilience — two traits forged on Quebec’s Cégep fields and refined in the Big Ten.
Rutgers ranks 41st nationally with 37.3 rush attempts per game, a testament to the team’s commitment to controlling the tempo through the ground game.A model of consistency, Raymond has logged at least 16 carries in four of his last six games. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed: several CFL scouts are monitoring him closely, though his future appears more likely to unfold in the NCAA and perhaps one day, the NFL.
DARIEL DJABOME — THE BRAIN OF THE DEFENSE
If one player symbolizes Rutgers’ steadiness and leadership, it’s Dariel Djabome.The linebacker from Longueuil, now a team captain, is one of the most respected voices in the locker room.Over his career, he’s appeared in 39 games, recording 139 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Last season, Djabome earned All–Big Ten Third Team (2024) honors after ranking fifth in the conference in tackles (8.1 per game).He was also a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy, awarded annually to the top Canadian player in NCAA football.
This year, he added another distinction: semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (2025) — often referred to as the “Academic Heisman” — recognizing the nation’s best scholar-athlete for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.
Ranked 10th on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s fall list, Djabome blends intelligence, power, and poise.His quick reads and coverage instincts make him indispensable in Rutgers’ defensive system, where he acts as both an on-field leader and a mentor to younger teammates.
JETT ELAD — EXPERIENCE AND CALM IN THE SECONDARY
After a standout stint at UNLV, Jett Elad has brought both stability and experience to Rutgers’ secondary.In 2024, he was named All–Mountain West Honorable Mention before transferring to the Big Ten.
This season, he’s recorded 31 tackles and one interception, while showing impressive discipline in man coverage.Elad had to petition the NCAA for a final year of eligibility following an administrative dispute, but that extra season has proved valuable for Rutgers.
Ranked 6th on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s fall list, he’s currently the highest-rated Canadian defensive player in the FBS.His experience against high-tempo offenses will be critical on Friday night, in a matchup where one missed assignment could swing momentum.
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD: SLOWING DOWN THE HUSKIES
The Canadians of Rutgers face a daunting task against one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.The Washington Huskies (4–1) feature a dynamic trio:
Jonah Coleman, the national leader in rushing touchdowns (11);
Demond Williams Jr., a dual-threat quarterback who can extend plays;
and Denzel Boston, a precise route-runner and deep-ball specialist.
So far, only No. 1 Ohio State has managed to contain this offense. For Djabome and Elad, discipline and anticipation will be crucial, while Raymond will need to help Rutgers control possession and keep the Huskies’ attack off the field.
A SIGN OF EVOLUTION
Beyond the outcome of the game, these three players represent something bigger than Rutgers. They symbolize the new wave of Canadian talent athletes not only breaking into the NCAA, but excelling there and becoming cornerstones of major programs.
Their success paves the way for the next generation of young Canadians who now see the Big Ten or SEC not as unreachable dreams, but as realistic goals.
At Rutgers, this maple-leaf imprint has become a mark of reliability and leadership. And this Friday night in Seattle, facing one of the country’s most dangerous offenses, Antwan Raymond, Dariel Djabome, and Jett Elad will once again have the chance to prove that in college football, the North can make plenty of noise.
