Story byApp. com | Asbury Park PressChris Iseman, NorthJersey. comFri, December 5, 2025 at 11:35 PM UTC·1 min readRutgers football has made a big addition to its 2026 recruiting class. The Scarlet Knights on Friday, Dec. 5 announced the signing of Messiah Tilson, a four-star safety from Illinois. Tilson had been committed to Kentucky, but ultimately decided to join Greg Schiano and Rutgers. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTilson visited in June, but Schiano continued to recruit him, especially in recent days. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Tilson is rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite. He’s the No.