Rutgers Football

Apart from the quarterback question, the positional battle that has garnered the most interest on the 2012 Scarlet Knights is the competition for the starting running back spot.

Named to the 2012 Preseason All-Big East Second Team (Phil Steele Publications), sophomore Savon Huggins will look to move into the starting role this season after having had his promising start in 2011 cut short. The former No. 1 recruit from the State of NJ in 2011 was highly touted, rated as a 5-star prospect [Scout.com] and the No. 4 running back in the nation.

In 56 attempts, Huggins ran for 146 yards and five touchdowns last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury against South Florida in November.

"Struggling with getting hurt was tough," Huggins said about his disappointing 2011 campaign [reported by Dave Hutchinson in the Star-Ledger on NJ.com]. "I never had to play hurt before."

Huggins will look to dethrone starting running back Jawan Jamison (897 yards, nine touchdowns), who showed flashes of excellence last season, including a 200-yard performance against Cincinnati. Despite a good showing in 2011, Jamison knows his starting spot is not guaranteed.

"I feel like whoever works the hardest," opined Jamison [as reported by Keith Sargent on myCentralJersey.com] regarding the running back position, "and whoever can prove they can take 25 to 30 carries will get the bulk of the carries."

With talented runners like Jamison and Huggins, it is hard to imagine freshman Vince DePaola, Paul James or Desmon Peoples getting much playing time unless an injury strikes again this year.

At fullback, the Knights return sophomore Michael Burton, who is the projected starter, ahead of Sam Bergen and Paul Canevari. Canevari, a former high school teammate of quarterback Gary Nova and wide receiver Leonte Carroo, will likely redshirt in 2012. In 12 games last season, Burton had only 10 carries for 44 yards.

The Knights have secured verbal commitments from 2013 recruits Dontea Ayres and Justin Goodwin, 3-star and 2-star prospects respectively, to ensure that their backfield success will continue. But for now, coach Kyle Flood has a pleasant problem on his hands with two potential star running backs.

"Certainly in my mind right now I think we have two guys at the running back position that can both carry the ball," mused Flood [as reported by Keith Sargent on myCentralJersey.com], "and both do a really good job for us."

"This year, even with the inexperienced coach, we have a lot of coaches on the staff that have either been head coaches, coordinators, assistant head coaches. When you have that, with the great personality of Coach Flood and great talent, which the Rutgers University football team has, we are in a position to go out there and have the chance to win the Big East championship this year."—Duron Harmon [as told to ESPN.com reporter Andrea Adelson]

Three 5th-year seniors and one 6th-year senior are four of the seven upperclass defensive backs who will help patrol the Rutgers secondary this season under the direction of defensive coach Robb Smith.

In 2011, Rutgers' pass defense was 9th-best in the nation, and overall the Scarlet Knights were 14th best in total defense. But in 2012, the secondary will need to be the last line of defense behind a linebacker group of questionable depth.

At cornerbacks, senior Brandon Jones (39 tackles) and junior Logan Ryan (67 tackles, three interceptions) are the projected starters, with seniors Mason Robinson, Marcus Cooper and sophomore Gareef Glashen as the backups. Ryan was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List in July, as well as the watchlist for the Bednarik Award.

Free safety Duron Harmon enters his senior season after a 2011 campaign that saw him snag five interceptions for the Scarlet Knights. Of particular interest is his backup, converted receiver J.T. Tartacoff. With the depth of the receiver position this season, switching to the defensive backfield may well be Tartacoff's best opportunity to secure any playing time.

Sophomore Lorenzo Waters will start at the strong safety position, with senior Wayne Warren currently listed as the second-string safety on the depth chart. Warren, who had one interception and 28 tackles in his junior year, will be looking to win the starting position in his final season at Rutgers.

"He has great range," teammate Duron Harmon told Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com about safety Lorenzo Waters. "He's a very hard hitter, and I think he's going to be a great addition to this secondary."

Junior Mezo Cooper did not see any playing time in 2011 but was such a talented athlete in high school that he played tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker and even cornerback, as well as being the starting kicker for three years.

Rounding out those fighting for roster spots and playing time this season are sophomore Johnathan Aiken and freshmen Jevon Tyree (cousin of former New York Giants' wide receiver David Tyree), Davon Jacobs, Tejay Johnson, Ben Martin and C.J. Still.

There doesn't seem to be much of a question about who will be catching passes for the Scarlet Knights this season.

The team returns a talented group of veteran receivers this year, who will look to fill the vacancy left by the record-setting Mohamed Sanu.

The real question is: who is going to be throwing the passes?

Regardless of whether junior Chas Dodd or sophomore Gary Nova gets the nod at quarterback, projected starters Brandon Coleman (17 receptions, six TDs) and Mark Harrison (14 receptions, two TDs) will be the main targets. Coleman, a sophomore, and Harrison, a senior, will be joined by 5th-year senior Tim Wright (11 receptions, two TDs) and junior Quron Pratt (32 receptions, one TD) when Rutgers goes to a multiple wide receiver set.

Wright, who suffered a major knee injury two seasons ago, appears to have put the setback behind him. "I feel awesome," Wright said of his current status [reported by Tom Luicci of The Star-Ledger on NJ.com]. "I feel like I did when I had that great spring in 2010."

Jeremy Deering (4 receptions, 180 yards rushing) returns to the receiver position this year after former coach Greg Schiano's failed experiment with the junior at running back. He will also be the team's main kickoff returner in 2012.

‘‘If Jeremy has the opportunity to catch the kick, he’s going to be a weapon,’’ says new head coach Kyle Flood about Deering's special teams participation [as reported by The Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson on NJ.com].

Looking to step up this season is sophomore Miles Shuler, if the Knights can find playing time for him. A speedster, he will likely see game action when Rutgers goes to empty-backfield packages. Shuler and Quron Pratt will also be the backup punt returners this season.

"Miles has done a nice job," said Flood of Shuler's fall camp effort [per Tom Luicci's Star-Ledger article on NJ.com]. "We're pleased with the way he's catching the ball right now."

While freshmen on the roster will find it hard to break into the lineup on offense, Ian Thomas, Ruhann Peele, Vance Matthews, Jeffrey Gignac, John Clarke and Carlton Agudosi may make their marks on special teams.

Of particular interest is true freshman Leonte Carroo, who is a 4-star [Scout.com] recruit. It may be in the Knights' best interest to redshirt Carroo and preserve his eligibility with the receiver position so deep this season.

"He has everything you want in a receiver—fast, very physical and talented," said Carroo's former high school teammate Gary Nova, as reported by The Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson on NJ.com.

Rutgers also returns two 5th-year senior tight ends this season, starter D.C. Jefferson (12 receptions in 2011) and reserve Beau Bachety. Jefferson, who had a serious ankle injury last year, is hoping for a bounce-back final season to spark the interest of NFL teams.

“I’m not going to lie," admitted Jefferson during spring camp [per Tom Luicci's Star-Ledger piece on NJ.com]. "I think about it. Every day I wake up I know that’s what I want to do.”

Backing up Jefferson is junior Paul Carrezola, with juniors Malcolm Bush and Tyler Bellia competing for playing time with freshman Tyler Kroft.

“I think the ball is going to get spread around a lot,” mused Gary Nova [as reported in DailyTargum.com]. “It’s going to be an opportunity for guys that, last year, didn’t have a chance to make plays.”

“That 2008 team was pretty good going in, but I like our chances. We have a strong core of leadership and a strong senior class. I think if we can put it together we can do a lot of great things in training camp and in the season. I think we have a really great shot at it.” —senior defensive tackle Scott Vallone [as quoted in APP.com]

Amid speculation that they will finish no better than third in the Big East this season (Big East Media Poll), the Scarlet Knights have opened their fall camp with an almost entirely new coaching staff.

Of particular interest is how the defense will fair, especially since Rutgers lost its defensive-minded head coach Greg Schiano following the 2011 season. Add to that the uncertainty of this year's special teams and the loss of star wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, and the onus for a winning season may fall to the defense.

Stopping the run and alternately reaching the quarterback on passing downs has always been the primary responsibility of the defensive line. The Knights return seven upperclassmen to the trenches this season to pair with an interesting mix of underclassmen.

Fifth-year seniors Marvin Booker (who saw limited action in 2011 after undergoing season-ending surgery in 2010) and Scott Vallone (58 tackles in 2011) will lead the group along with senior Ka'Lial Glaud (who only started only two of the 13 games he appeared). Vallone is a 2012 Preseason All-Big East First Team selection for both Phil Steele Publications and Athlon Sports.

Junior Issac Holmes (12 tackles, one sack last season) is projected as a starter, but fellow juniors Michael Larrow (10 tackles last year), Jamil Merrell (18 tackles, one sack in 2011) and Marcus Thompson (13 tackles last year) will be looking to impress during camp in an effort to gain starting roles.

The experience of the defensive line will be needed to cover up a thin, mostly inexperienced linebacker corp in 2012.

Underclassmen will undoubtedly see some game action, mostly on special teams, but several have a chance to earn time on the field this fall.

Sophomores Jawaun Wynn (who has moved to DE from WR this season) and Kenneth Kirksey (who appeared in nine games last season) will also hope to catch the eye of new defensive coordinator Robb Smith.

A bumper crop of freshmen will be evaluated this fall, including Max Issaka, Myles Jackson, Marquise Wright, Djwany Mera, Al Page and Daryl Stephenson. True freshmen Julian Pinnix-Odrick, a 3-star prospect per Scout.com, and 5-star [Scout.com] recruit Darius Hamilton will look to gain positions as backups on the defensive line.

Of particular interest is recent true freshman transfer Jamil Pollard, a 3-star prospect [Scout.com] from West Deptford, NJ. Pollard decided to transfer from Penn State after the NCAA granted players the ability to do so without penalty.

A strong defense has always been a trademark of the Scarlet Knights, but the 2012 edition under defensive coordinator Robb Smith, assistant defensive coach Tom McEntire and linebackers coach Dave Cohen may take some time to find their stride.

Returning for Rutgers is senior Steve Beauharnais, who was second on the team in tackles (77 in 2011). Beauharnais started all 13 games for the Knights last season, and is projected as a starter on the spring depth chart.

Much has been made of preseason press given to fifth-year senior Khaseem Greene, who makes the switch this year from defensive back to linebacker. In 2011, Greene led the team with 141 tackles. He shared Big East Player of the Year honors with Derek Wolfe of the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2011, and Athlon Sports projects him as a second-team All-American this season.

The final starting LB position will be under scrutiny due to the battle between junior Jamal Merrell (44 tackles in 2011) and sophomore Kevin Snyder (40 tackles in 2011).

Rounding out the linebacker corps will be:

Robert Joseph (6'2", 220 pounds), is a junior who makes the transition from fullback. In high school the athletic Joseph played both running back and cornerback.

Nick DePaola, who saw limited action in his 13 games last season, amassed only nine tackles in 2011. DePaola moved from wide receiver to linebacker at the start of the year, and saw most of his game time as a member of the special teams unit. DePaola did not play in either 2009 nor 2010.

Substitutes at linebacker will include freshman Griffin Murray (who did not play in 2011) and sophomore Justin Mills (who also did not see game action last season).

Former high school middle linebacker Anthony Milito (Basking Ridge, NJ) did not see any game action in 2011. His athletic quality is borne out by his high school career, where in addition to his time at linebacker, he also rushed for over 1,800 yards (combined) as a fullback in this last two years.

Underclassmen Dallas Whitaker, a freshman, is a local New Jersey product who will probably be used in spot situations and special teams, while freshman Quentin Gause is not expected to get much playing time, either.

True freshmen Quanzell Lambert, Connor Lyons and Steve Longa round out the linebackers. Al three are straight from the New Jersey high school talent pipeline but will, in all likelihood, not see much action this season.

After a tumultuous off-season, camp has finally opened for the Scarlet Knights, and new head coach Kyle Flood appeared pleased by the efforts on the first day.

"I thought the energy was excellent," offered Flood [as reported by Tom Luicci of the Star-Ledger on NJ.com] following day one of practice. "I saw passion. I saw enthusiasm."

It had been the philosophy of former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano to keep the local high school talent from the State of New Jersey in the Garden State in order to build a winning football team.

The strategy was one that worked, as he was able to breathe new life into a downtrodden program, lead the Scarlet Knights into postseason bowl games and continue to recruit high-level local talent.

That fact is reflected in the last recruiting class which pledged itself to Rutgers under the Schiano regime. Two of the top six players from New Jersey (either 4- or 5-star recruits per Scout.com) elected to stay at home and play for their State University.

To his credit—and the surprise of many—new head coach Kyle Flood was able to keep nearly all of his predecessor's 2012 recruits on National Signing Day after Schiano answered the call of the NFL.

While Kyle Flood has compiled an impressive list of recruits this spring, there is one notable difference: Not one of Rutgers' 2013 recruits has higher than a 3-star rating on Scout.com.

A review of the top 2012 prospects [all ratings per Scout.com] from New Jersey reveals the difference between last year and this year:

Darius Hamilton (5-star DE) chose Rutgers, Devin Fuller (4-star QB) opted for UCLA, Elijah Shumate (4-star safety) picked Notre Dame, Yuri Wright (4-star CB) settled on Colorado, Leonte Carroo (4-star WR) chose Rutgers and D.J. Singleton (4-star TE) went for Wisconsin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1uUt6g8vsk

By comparison, Kyle Flood's 2013 class features not one of the top 4- or 5-star prospects [again, all ratings per Scout.com] from New Jersey. The top seven prospects coming out of New Jersey have all chosen out-of-state schools:

Kevin Olsen (4-star QB) is headed to Miami (FL), Eli Woodward (4-star CB) chose Ohio State, Greg Webb (4-star DT) picked North Carolina, as did Dajaun Drennon (4-star DE).

Finally, Tashawn Bower (4-star DE) will play for Auburn, Garrett Sickels (4-star DE) chose Penn State, and Corey Clement (4-star RB) is headed to Pittsburgh.

Put succinctly, the 2012 class was ranked No. 24 nationally by Rivals.com, while the 2013 class ranks only No. 44 by that same website.

A new coach, a new staff and the uncertainty of the program's direction is enough to explain this season's downturn in recruiting talent. But Flood now faces the daunting task of trying to continue—if not elevate—Rutgers' success in recent years to ensure that this downturn does not become a trend.

The preseason poll conducted during Big East Media Day picks the Scarlet Knights to finish third in the conference. While respectable, that type of performance may make future recruiting an uphill battle for Flood, who seemed unfazed by the poll.

"Whether you’re picked last or if you’re picked first, ultimately it’s going to be the ranking you earn at the end of the season that’s going to matter," said Flood as reported by the Asbury Park Press [via APP.com]. "That’s really the one that we’re working for."

The luxury of having a senior placekicker is a double-edged sword. There is a certain security knowing that at the critical moment, a veteran is going to trot onto the field to attempt a kick that will win the game.

But as Rutgers saw with departing kicker San San Te, seniors graduate, and at some point the position must be handed off to a newcomer. Onto the shoulders of that successor the hopes of a team, coach, University and fanbase rides with each kick.

It is a tremendous burden to bear.

"College football is so competitive now,” theorizes former Iowa State kicker Jamie Kohl via Sports Illustrated (who now heads up skills camps for college kickers). “The kicks mean a lot more. The games are tight because of scholarship limits and other factors, and a lot of times it comes down to precious kicks."

Into that scrutinized position walks true freshman Kyle Federico from Ponte Verde, California, who was a 3-star recruit (Scout.com) coming out of high school. Scout.com also tabbed him as the No. 11 kicking prospect in the country for 2012.

Even though he had a career-best kick of 50 yards in high school and kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal in a playoff game, Federico only kicked four field goals as a senior, and was just 8-for-13 as a junior.

If Federico's qualifications seem somewhat lacking, it may be for that reason that the Scarlet Knights have sophomore Nick DeLouisa listed as their backup kicker.

There's a hundred guys out there who can hit a 55-yard field goal in practice, says Nebraska Cornhusker's kicker Brett Maher via ESPN. But the secret is to be able to transfer that over to a game in a big-time situation. That's why it's so difficult to predict, because you never know how a guy is going to react until he's put in a situation like that.

While the placekicker may be an area of concern, the Knights are solid at punter. Senior Jason Doerner returns, having posted a 40.3 average last season, with a long of 58 yards. Backing up Doerner is Manalapan, NJ freshman Anthony DePaula.

Punt return responsibilities are to be split among senior Mason Robinson, sophomore Miles Shuler and junior Quron Pratt. Pratt, more valuable as a wide receiver, is not likely to be pressed into duty unless injuries strike. Robinson, listed as the main returner on the Rutgers spring depth chart, had only two punt returns in all of 2011, averaging just 2.5 yards.

Leading kickoff returner Jeremy Deering will reprise the role that saw him average 31.2 yards per return in 2011 with a long of 98 yards and a touchdown. After spending 2011 as a running back, Deering will return to his wide receiver position this season. Freshman Paul James will share duties with Deering.

Overseeing the Rutgers special teams this season is coach Joe Rossi, who had previously served as the defensive coordinator at Maine from 2009 to 2011.

But, without question, the success of the 2012 season—no matter how well Rossi coaches and the rest of the special teams players fulfill their roles—could well rest on the performance of freshman kicker Kyle Federico.

I've tried, through the years, to find a formula for guys who are successful, and to be honest with you, there are different personalities that get it done, concludes Jamie Kohl via ESPN regarding placekickers. It comes down to the individual athlete and how he copes with situations.

The question of who starts for the Scarlet Knights at quarterback remains an open question this season.

But, regardless of whether it is junior signal-caller, Chas Dodd, or the challenger, sophomore Gary Nova, the onus of protecting the QB in 2012 will fall to Rutgers' offensive line.

Unfortunately for the Knights, only two starting linemen from 2011 return for this season, namely sophomore tackles Kaleb Johnson and junior Andre Civil. Johnson earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America in 2011, while Civil's performance earned him the starting spot at the all-important left tackle position.

Coming out of spring camp, however, both players are competing for the left tackle job.

At left guard, junior David Osei will look to beat out junior Antwan Lowery for the starting position. Osei, who began 2011 at center, later moved to tackle by the end of the season, while Lowery started three games at guard in 2011.

The center position appears well-represented by junior Dallas Hendrikson, who will back up converted guard Betim Bujari. Hendrikson, despite being second on the spring depth chart, was named to the preseason All-Big East Fourth Team by Phil Steele Publications.

Right guard will be anchored by sophomore Taj Alexander, who is starting ahead of junior Matt McBride. In 2011, McBride saw most of his game action on special teams.

Rounding out the line at right tackle will be projected starter R.J. Dill. The 6'7", 315-pound fifth-year senior is a graduate student in his final year of eligibility. Like Dill, second-string Devon Watkis (6'7", 320 lbs) is also a fifth-year senior.

Remaining players who will compete for roster spots on the offensive line in 2012 include sophomores Hugh Ahern, Jorge Vicioso, Chris Fonti, Bryan Leoni and freshmen Keith Lumpkin, Brandon Arcidiacono, Derrick Nelson, Chris Muller, J.J. Denman and Ryan Brodie.

Much has been made during the offseason of new head coach Kyle Flood's recruiting prowess for the class of 2013, but converting those verbal promises on signing day will depend on Rutgers' success on the gridiron in 2012.

Rutgers, which runs a pro-style offense, surrendered 30 sacks last season. Offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will look to mold this relatively young, inexperienced group into a cohesive unit in time for the team's season opener against Tulane on September 1.

With an influx of freshman talent for the 2012 season, new head coach Kyle Flood has his hands full.

Not only did he need to convince the University that he was the right man for the job, he then had to fill his coaching staff after many of the assistants also left the program with Greg Schiano.

Even more than the players, the RU coaching staff will be under the greatest scrutiny, as many of the coaches—while they have prior experience—have never been at Rutgers before. With the start of the 2012 season now less than two months away, here is the staff that will look to lead the Scarlet Knights to their first-ever Big East title:

Kyle Flood, Head Coach

Entering his first season as the RU head coach, Flood replaces Greg Schiano, who left for the greener pastures of the NFL.

The 29th head coach of the Scarlet Knights, Flood began his college coaching career in 1995, having been a member of the Rutgers staff since 2005. It was after Flood arrived at Rutgers that the Scarlet Knights began going to bowl games again.

"The assistant coaches I’ve been able to bring here are good family men, they’re good football coaches," Flood said of his staff. "On defense, we have three assistants who have been coordinators, two on the Division-I level. On offense, three of the coaches have been Division-I BCS offensive coordinators. We have the football minds here."

Dave Brock, Offensive Coordinator/WR Coach

After previous coaching stints at notable colleges such as Temple and North Carolina, Brock will be under close scrutiny this season, which is his first as Rutgers' offensive coordinator.

A frequent complaint of the Schiano era was a lack of explosiveness, so much so that even when the Scarlet Knights had a talented quarterback like Tom Savage, the play-calling was conservative.

Communication between Brock and head coach Kyle Flood should be good, however, as the two spent time together on the Hofstra staff for five seasons.

Robb Smith, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach

A seasoned member of the Rutgers coaching staff, Smith has been promoted from defensive backs coach.

Smith has also coached at the University of Maine and a brief stop at Iowa. Reportedly, Smith had offers to leave Rutgers, but stayed on when promoted to defensive coordinator. "I couldn't be happier that he stayed on staff despite pulling and tugging from some other places around the country," Flood said of his new coordinator. "It was critical to me that we were able to keep our defensive system in place."

Rob Spence, Quarterbacks Coach

Yet another coach in his "freshman" season at Rutgers, Spence has 23 years of coaching experience, including 16 campaigns as an offensive coordinator for Bethune Cookman, Clemson, Louisiana Tech, Syracuse and Toledo. 

Norries Wilson, Running Backs Coach

Along with special teams coach Joe Rossi, Wilson was one of the last coaches hired to round out Flood's staff. The former head coach at Columbia, he had previously been an offensive coordinator at Big East rival Connecticut.

Darnell Dinkins, Tight Ends

NFL fans may recognize the name Darnell Dinkins, the former tight end of the Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints. He also played with Cleveland, Baltimore and the New York Giants, and coached last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Damien Wroblewski, Offensive Line Coach

Having coached college programs since 1999, Wroblewski was most recently at Delaware from 2007 to 2011. Previously, he had stops at Hofstra and Pennsylvania, but he may have a difficult time molding an offensive line composed mostly of underclassmen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5uv_JYOt0

Tom McEntire, Assistant Defensive Coach  

McEntire is taking a promotion with Rutgers this season, having previously served with player development last year.

Jim Panagos, Defensive Line Coach

A former defensive line coach at the University of Central Florida, Panagos had previously coached with the Minnesota Vikings from 2002 to 2005.  

Panagos had played as a defensive tackle in college at the University of Maryland. "My style is pretty simple," says Panagos about his coaching technique. "I'm very high energy and I'm very hands-on. I played the position, so I bring a unique perspective."

Dave Cohen, Linebackers Coach

Another first-year coach for the Knights, Cohen has been a college coach since 1988, having overseen linebackers, defensive lineman and even working as a defensive coordinator. Most notably, Cohen was the head coach at Hofstra (2006 to 2009), where he had a record of 18-27.

Joe Rossi, Special Teams Coach

The former defensive coordinator at the University of Maine, Rossi will pull double duty this season, also serving as an assistant defensive coach. Rossi has two years of special teams coaching at Maine in 2007 and 2008.

The Scarlet Knights open their season at Tulane on September 1. In the meantime, Flood has been busy securing talent for 2013, as the continues to collect verbal commitments from more than a dozen prospects so far.