Rutgers football added Louisiana Tech transfer running back Clay Thevenin, giving the Scarlet Knights more depth at a crucial spot.
Running back has been one of Rutgers football’s strongest position groups in recent seasons, and that momentum is poised to continue in 2026 after the moves the Scarlet Knights have made this offseason.
Greg Schiano and his staff stabilized the position by managing to bring back leading rusher Antwan Raymond – something that was no guarantee in the modern age of college football, where Raymond, who’s developed into one of the Big Ten’s top running backs, would’ve had suitors lining up to land him had Rutgers lost him.
But Schiano also bolstered the position group’s depth this week by signing Clay Thevenin, a Louisiana Tech transfer who rushed for 634 yards on 131 attempts (4.8 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns for the Bulldogs this past season.
Thevenin also caught 33 passes for 269 yards, so he can be a weapon in the passing game.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Thevenin had strong interest from Central Florida before agreeing to join the Scarlet Knights.
Thevenin spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Navarro College in Texas following a prep year at TRU Academy in Miami Gardens.
Adding Thevenin to the running back room, which has thrived under position coach Damiere Shaw, helped Rutgers rebuild depth after losing Sam Brown (Temple) and CJ Campbell Jr. (Duke) to the transfer portal.
That depth is critical to help keep Raymond, who ran for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, healthy in a demanding, physical conference like the Big Ten.
Rutgers also returns Ja’shon Benjamin, who ran for 328 yards and two scores last season, Edd Guerrier and Terrell Mitchell – both Guerrier and Mitchell saw limited action in 2025 (Mitchell was a true freshman).
Thevenin, a strong outside-the-tackles runner, brings a different dynamic from Raymond and Benjamin.
Thevenin is the fourth offensive transfer Rutgers has added out of the 11 total, with Boston College quarterback Dylan Lonergan the highest-profile member of the group.
The Scarlet Knights needed to add depth at running back.
They achieved that with Thevenin.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football backs boosted by Clay Thevenin, Louisiana Tech transfer
Category: General Sports
