Rutgers Hires Former Patriot League Champion as Player Development Assistant

Carl Smith Jr. joins Scarlet Knights coaching staff after college playing career

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rutgers Football has added former Fordham University wide receiver Carl Smith Jr. to their coaching staff as a player development assistant. Smith, a Philadelphia native, played collegiately at Virginia Tech, Lafayette, and Robert Morris, winning a Patriot League championship during his time at Lafayette.

Why it matters

The addition of Smith, a former team captain and productive wide receiver, provides Rutgers with an up-and-coming coach who can relate to the experiences of current players and help with their development both on and off the field.

The details

Smith, who hails from Philadelphia, began his college career as a walk-on at Virginia Tech in 2020 before transferring to Lafayette for the next three seasons. At Lafayette, he appeared in 21 games, catching 12 passes for 145 yards. In his final year of eligibility in 2024, Smith played at Robert Morris, hauling in 15 receptions for 277 yards and two touchdowns. After going undrafted, Smith attended a UFL showcase but was not selected by any teams.

  • Smith played at Virginia Tech in 2020.
  • Smith spent three seasons at Lafayette from 2021-2023, winning a Patriot League championship.
  • Smith played his final college season at Robert Morris in 2024.

The players

Carl Smith Jr.

A former wide receiver who played at Virginia Tech, Lafayette, and Robert Morris, Smith is joining the Rutgers coaching staff as a player development assistant.

Rutgers Football

The football program at Rutgers University, a member of the Big Ten Conference, has added Smith to their coaching staff in a player development role.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Rutgers has brought in a young, up-and-coming coach in Carl Smith Jr. who can provide valuable insight and guidance to current players based on his own recent experiences as a college football player.