Rutgers Football CB Kevin Levy Poised for Bigger Role

The young cornerback has impressed the coaching staff and could earn a starting spot in 2026.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Rutgers football cornerback in action, with sharp, overlapping planes of scarlet red and black colors representing the player's movements and the competitive energy of the game.Rutgers football's secondary is undergoing a transition, but cornerback Kevin Levy is poised to seize a larger role with his steady development and the coaching staff's confidence.West Palm Beach Today

Kevin Levy, a cornerback for the Rutgers football team, is poised to take on a larger role in the 2026 season. The 6-foot, 170-pound Levy was a three-star recruit out of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has been steadily developing during his time with the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers needs to replace all of its starting cornerbacks this season, and Levy, who will be entering his third year with the program, is high on the list to potentially fill one of those roles.

Why it matters

Rutgers' secondary is undergoing a significant transition, and Levy's potential emergence as a starting cornerback could help solidify the defensive backfield. The Scarlet Knights have added some experienced transfers to provide depth, but Levy's continued growth and the praise from the coaching staff suggest he could be poised for a breakout season.

The details

Levy played in two games as a true freshman in 2024 and eight games last season. He has impressed the coaching staff, including head coach Greg Schiano, who has a history of developing high-level defensive backs. Schiano said Levy has been performing with confidence, attention to detail, and taking care of his body, all the things that a 'big-time player does.' Levy also credits his development to the competition he faces against Rutgers' talented receiving corps, led by KJ Duff, in practice.

  • Levy played in two games as a true freshman in 2024.
  • Levy played in eight games during the 2025 season.

The players

Kevin Levy

A cornerback for the Rutgers football team who is poised to take on a larger role in the 2026 season.

Robert Longerbeam

A former Rutgers cornerback who mentored Levy and told him he could be 'way better' than him.

Greg Schiano

The head coach of the Rutgers football team, who has praised Levy's development and believes he is poised for a breakout season.

KJ Duff

The leader of Rutgers' talented receiving corps, which Levy credits for helping him improve through the competition in practice.

Kevyn Humes

A cornerback who transferred to Rutgers from Maryland this offseason, adding depth and experience to the secondary.

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What they’re saying

“He was more like a brother to me, still to this day. We talk every now and then. He always checks up on me. It means a lot just watching him, seeing what he could do and him telling me, 'Man, you could be way better than me.' Just telling me I could go do it.”

— Kevin Levy, Rutgers Cornerback

“I think Kevin's just made up his mind, 'It's time.' The way he prepared all offseason, in the winter program, came out in spring, and just kept it up. He's performing with confidence, attention to detail, taking care of his body, all the things that a big-time player does, he's doing. And he's got the God-given ability. So if he can just continue on that trajectory, he's going to be a really good corner.”

— Greg Schiano, Rutgers Head Coach

“I feel way more comfortable than I was previous years. I feel like I'm ready to take that next step and it's time to show everyone what I could do.”

— Kevin Levy, Rutgers Cornerback

What’s next

Levy will continue to compete for a starting cornerback role during Rutgers' preseason camp, with the goal of earning a spot in the starting lineup for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Kevin Levy's development and the coaching staff's confidence in him suggest he could be poised for a breakout season as Rutgers looks to rebuild its secondary. His ability to compete against the Scarlet Knights' talented receiving corps in practice has helped prepare him for the challenges he'll face as a potential starting Big Ten cornerback.