PISCATAWAY – Before he began his college football career, before he met coach Chris Ash, before Rutgers lost all three starting linebackers, Najee Clayton anticipated a position change coming his way.
The former safety’s hunch was proven correct as he was moved to strong side linebacker – a premium play-making position in Ash’s defense – during the Rutgers football offseason.
“Even coming out of high school, me and Coach (Chris) Partridge would talk about me making that transition – probably after my freshman year, after I started to gain weight,” Clayton said. “This is something I really wanted to do – getting in on the action and contact, covering a lot.