Providence Day hybrid defensive back/linebacker Moses Poku-Kankam has committed to Rutgers, he announced on social media April 28.
This is the fourth year in a row the Scarlet Knights have landed a North Carolina high school prospect. Rutgers, a Big Ten school located in New Jersey, took two players from the Old North State in its 2026 class – tight end DJ Howerton (Grimsley HS) and Pine Forest offensive lineman Donovan Johnson (Pine Forest HS) – as well as three in both 2024 and 2025.
Poku-Kankam played a variety of defensive positions for Providence Day during the Chargers’ run to the 2025 independent schools state championship, including corner, strong safety and free safety.
He picked off one pass, deflected nine others, blocked two field goals and finished with 65 total tackles. He was an all-conference selection, helping Providence Day compile a 13-0 record.
Rivals ranks Poku-Kankam (6-2, 200) as a three-star prospect at linebacker and the No. 38 player from North Carolina. He is not ranked by 247Sports as of May 4, though that likely will change with his commitment to a Power 4 program.
Poku-Kankam, who plans to take an official visit to Rutgers at the end of May, also listed East Carolina, Syracuse, Louisville and Wake Forest in his top five favorites. He reported offers from about a dozen schools, including Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Boston College, Liberty, SMU, and Toledo.
Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano has made North Carolina a priority in recruiting efforts in recent years. Rising sophomore linebacker Isaiah Deloatch was plucked from North Carolina’s 2025 high school class. The former Hillside High standout was the No. 15 player in the state that season, per 247Sports.
Rutgers picked up three top-40 players from North Carolina in 2024: wide receiver Ben Black (Mallard Creek HS), wideout Isaiah Crumpler (D.H. Conley) and safety Noah Shaw (Asheville HS).
👉 See where North Carolina’s top rising senior football prospects plan to play in college: View our 2027 North Carolina High School Football Commitment Tracker.
