Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 21-37vs Massachusetts | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 0 | 19 | Season-high 37 yds |
| Wk 2 | L 21-28@ Boston College | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 0 | 20 | |
| Total | 4 | 67 | 16.8 | 0 | 20 |
#2
Ben Black
Junior wide receiver for Rutgers. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′0″ · 190 lb · Charlotte, NC · Mallard Creek
CFB Index 25 · #454 of 466 WRsHigh confidenceReturning to Rutgers for 2026
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
The numbers
67
receiving yards · 2026
4 catches · 16.8 per catch
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 2 rec, 30 yds, at Boston College
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
3 wide receiver for Rutgers. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Rutgers in 2024.
Ben Black
Moves the chains on third down. Third year in the Rutgers receiving corps, same address the whole way. The receipt: 37 rec yds, 2 receptions against Massachusetts — Week 1, 2026.
67 REC YDS · 4 REC · 0 REC TD
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- game log
His career
He was on the field for 3 seasons. That is rarer than it sounds.
202410 games
- Signed with Rutgers3-star out of Mallard Creek
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
Rutgers
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Coaching lineage · 2024–2026
1 coach2024–2026
Rutgers
Played his entire career under Greg Schiano.
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
3 seasons under Greg Schiano — 12-15 over that span.
2024Rutgers7-6HC: Greg Schiano · Run-leaning
2025Rutgers5-7HC: Greg Schiano · Run-leaning
2026Rutgers0-2HC: Greg Schiano · Balanced
Where this profile ranks vs the WR cohort
Box-score percentiles
High confidence
Concern: rec yards (0th percentile).
Box-score rates (5)
Percentiles versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score rates.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 2.0 REC/g, 33.5 YDS/g, 16.8 YPR, 0.0 TD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Greg Schiano
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
Game log
How he plays
Play style
Reliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Rutgers
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Wide receiver · Rutgers
Returning around him
- 44% of 2024 offensive production back (Moderate turnover)
- 1 Rutgers player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +0 net (15 in / 15 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Rutgers · Last season: 5-7 · Talent rank #48 · 2026 recruiting class #36
DNA match
Player DNA
Possession Receiver
Reliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive.
WR
His 2024 production profile sits closest to Michael Hetzel’s 2023 season.
76%match
Matches Michael on
Total EPA (college ability)
Yards / reception
Height
Differs from Michael on
Weight (lower)
Class year (lower)
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Roshauud Paul's freshman season at Arkansas State (2020).
Matches Roshauud on
Yards / reception
TD rate
Recruiting rating
Differs from Roshauud on
Class year (lower)
Player DNA
Players who play like Ben Black
Background
2025 Academic All-Big Ten 2025 (Sophomore): Played in all 12 games with three starts at wide receiver ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list (12/10) ... totaled eight receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown ... had six kickoff returns for 125 yards with a long of 29 and recovered a fumble on...
The receiver room · Rutgers
- #8KJ Duff1,084 receiving yards · 2025
- #2Ben Black119 receiving yards · 2025
- #80Michael Thomas III25 receiving yards · 2025
- #5Vernon Allen III18 receiving yards · 2025
- #83Dino Kaliakmanis9 receiving yards · 2025
10 more on the roster · Rutgers team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology