Photo by: Rich Graessle
Fatukasi Invited to NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
Jan 25 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – LB Olakunle Fatukasi earned an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl set for Jan. 29 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The two-time Butkus Award semifinalist joins fellow Rutgers linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams at the game, which will broadcast on NFL Network at 6 p.m. ET.
Fatukasi is the sixth Scarlet Knight selected to a postseason all-star game, with LB Tyshon Fogg (Tropical Bowl), WR Bo Melton (Reese's Senior Bowl), RB Isaih Pacheco (Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl) and LS Billy Taylor (East-West Shrine Bowl) also securing spots.
Fatukasi finished his collegiate career ranked 12th in Rutgers football history with 302 tackles in 53 games. The two-time team captain totaled 28 tackles-for-loss with seven sacks, adding seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
In 2021, the New York native was named a Butkus Award semifinalist for the second-straight year as one of the top 16 linebackers in the nation. He placed fourth in the Big Ten and 12th nationally at 9.9 tackles per game, totaling 89 overall in nine games. That included four times in double figures, posting 13 in road games at Syracuse and Northwestern. Fatukasi opened the year collecting nine tackles with four for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in the win over Temple to earn Bednarik Award Player of the Week. The season performance garnered Third Team All-Big Ten in the media vote.
Fatukasi paced the Big Ten with 101 tackles in 2020, ranking ninth nationally with 11.2 per game for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. He also led the team and placed second in the conference with 11.0 tackles-for-loss. Fatukasi posted six games with double-figure stops, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has taken place since 2012. Past Scarlet Knights to earn invites include DB Damon Hayes (2020), OL Kamaal Seymour (2020) and Quentin Gause (2016).
Fatukasi is the sixth Scarlet Knight selected to a postseason all-star game, with LB Tyshon Fogg (Tropical Bowl), WR Bo Melton (Reese's Senior Bowl), RB Isaih Pacheco (Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl) and LS Billy Taylor (East-West Shrine Bowl) also securing spots.
Fatukasi finished his collegiate career ranked 12th in Rutgers football history with 302 tackles in 53 games. The two-time team captain totaled 28 tackles-for-loss with seven sacks, adding seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
In 2021, the New York native was named a Butkus Award semifinalist for the second-straight year as one of the top 16 linebackers in the nation. He placed fourth in the Big Ten and 12th nationally at 9.9 tackles per game, totaling 89 overall in nine games. That included four times in double figures, posting 13 in road games at Syracuse and Northwestern. Fatukasi opened the year collecting nine tackles with four for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in the win over Temple to earn Bednarik Award Player of the Week. The season performance garnered Third Team All-Big Ten in the media vote.
Fatukasi paced the Big Ten with 101 tackles in 2020, ranking ninth nationally with 11.2 per game for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. He also led the team and placed second in the conference with 11.0 tackles-for-loss. Fatukasi posted six games with double-figure stops, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl has taken place since 2012. Past Scarlet Knights to earn invites include DB Damon Hayes (2020), OL Kamaal Seymour (2020) and Quentin Gause (2016).
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.Made a name for himself at @RFootball, now it's time to take on the NFL 🏈
— The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (@NFLPABowl) January 22, 2022
Olakunle Fatukasi (@o_threee) has accepted his invite to the #NFLPABowl. Fatukasi was a key for his team and finished ranked 12th in program history with 302 career tackles in 53 games. #Path2Pasadena pic.twitter.com/M8IUyz3obl
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LS
/ Football2026 National Signing Day: Head Coach Greg Schiano - 12/03/25
Wednesday, December 03
Head Coach Greg Schiano Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Head Coach Greg Schiano Post Game Press Conference - Penn State
Saturday, November 29
Head Coach Greg Schiano Game Week Press Conference - Penn State
Tuesday, November 25
