Section 2 star James Cocozzo to start his college football career 1 year early

James Cocozzo ended a recruiting process that lasted over one year in April when the standout offensive lineman for Stillwater/Saratoga Central Catholic committed to Rutgers University of the Big Ten Conference for the 2027 season. 

Recently, Cocozzo made another decision regarding his future with the Scarlet Knights - and it is that the future is now.

Cocozzo, who missed his entire junior season in 2025 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a summer camp drill at Syracuse University, will start his collegiate career next month at Rutgers after deciding to forego his senior year at Stillwater High School.

"I thought about this for a while," said Cocozzo, who is able to complete his high school coursework this summer. "It is definitely weird that I will be playing college football because I haven't played in over a year, going back to my sophomore year."

Sign up for the Saratoga Now newsletter

Keep up with the latest happening in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Ballston Spa and other communities in Saratoga County. 

"In talking with their staff and James, there is an opportunity - not this season but (in 2027) - to start," Stillwater/SCC coach Ian Godfrey said. "It is a total head start for him (to go now) and I totally understand."

Cocozzo, who landed Division I offers from programs such as Penn State, Maryland and Syracuse before committing to Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, leaves for college July 30 and begins practicing at the start of August. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman will shift to the interior line after playing offensive tackle in high school.

James Cocozzo is the son of Joe Cocozzo, a Mechanicville High graduate who played for the University of Michigan and the San Diego Chargers. When he played with the NFL's Chargers from 1993 through 1997, Joe Cocozzo started 48 regular-season games and played in Super Bowl XXIX against the San Francisco 49ers.

Had he stayed for his senior season at Stillwater/SCC, James Cocozzo would have dominated. He started his varsity playing career in the eighth grade and, as a freshman in 2023, Cocozzo garnered first-team Times Union small-school All-Star status at linebacker when he posted a school-record 137 tackles, as Stillwater advanced to the Class D state final. During his sophomore season, Cocozzo landed his second Times Union first-team selection for his play at offensive tackle, a season in which he did not allow a sack or a quarterback hurry.

Both years, he was also named Class D first-team all-state.

"I totally support James and what he is doing," Godfrey said. "It is tough losing someone like him. We are going to be young this year - and we got a little younger."

"I wanted to go out there and play with my friends again, but that is not how things worked out," Cocozzo said.

Rutgers finished 5-7 overall in 2025, ending the season with a 40-36 loss against Penn State.

Cocozzo, who plans to major in exercise science, is eager to get going with his college career.

"People have asked if I am going to be nervous. I think maybe I will be the first day, or a couple of days before - but, right now, I am just excited," Cocozzo said.

Subscribe

Read this story on timesunion.com