Rutgers’ biggest questions at each position heading into training camp

7-9 minutes 7/21/2023
With training camp set to begin in less than two weeks, there’s one burning question Rutgers coach Greg Schiano NEEDS to address ... and it’s not who will be playing quarterback. That should be answered relatively quickly.
The make-or-break reality of the Rutgers season largely boils down to this: How fast can Schiano and new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca bring the offense up to speed. After finishing as one of the worst units in the country last season, Schiano hired Ciarrocca to install an offense that won’t detract from the team’s success and result in the team’s ninth consecutive season with a losing record.
That won’t happen overnight, of course. As Schiano said this offseason “there’s no magic pill” to turn things around. There was steady progress in spring ball — a first step as the Scarlet Knights prepare for year No. 4 of Schiano’s second tenure.
“We’re getting better,” Schiano said this offseason. “We got better this spring, I think (quarterback) Gavin (Wimsatt) got better. Kirk Ciarrocca has been a huge addition to our program. It’s just been a real pleasure for me to work with him the last five months. It’s not going to be instantaneous. There’s no magic bullet, no magic pill, but I see us getting better, and I think it’s just going to continue.”
With the changes to the offense and one of the biggest offseason storylines, here’s a look at 10 more burning questions — one for each position group — as Rutgers gets set to open training camp.
Quarterbacks: Is the quarterback competition in name only?
Schiano chose to leave the quarterback competition open throughout spring ball, but it would be a surprise if sophomore Gavin Wimsatt did not win the job early on over junior Evan Simon. Despite struggling with accuracy and decision making, Wimsatt started the final five games last season. It’s likely his job to lose. The bigger question: How much can Wimsatt improve in his first full year as a starter?
Samuel Brown V (27) of Rutgers cuts past Jonathan Haynes (17) of Indiana for a big gain during the second half of the Big Ten football game between Rutgers and Indiana at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on 10/22/22. Rutgers won 24-17.
Running backs: Can Sam Brown carry the load?
It was a eureka moment met with despair. Giving the struggling offense an identity, Brown carried 28 times for 101 yards and a touchdown to will Rutgers to a 24-17 win against Indiana on Oct. 22. The problem? It was the last time Brown saw the field after what was originally diagnosed as a insignificant foot injury turned into a season-ending nightmare. Returning to camp at full strength, how much will Rutgers rely on their sophomore tailback to lead a backfield featuring veterans Kyle Monangai and Aaron Young?
Wide receivers: Will transfers transition into top options?
After graduating its top three pass-catchers from last season, Rutgers hit the transfer portal to bring in two veteran wide receivers, albeit from lower levels of college football. Can Naseim Brantley (Western Illinois) and JaQuae Jackson (California University of Pennsylvania) emerge as the top options in a unit that otherwise lacks experience?
Tight ends: What’s left for Johnny Langan?
Ciarrocca’s offenses have generally utilized the tight end. That’s good news for Langan, the do-it-all senior who will be utilized in a variety of roles. Last season, Langan finished second on the team with 31 catches for 296 yards. In addition to Langan, Rutgers returns junior Victor Konopka, sophomore Mike Higgins and brought in Sean Bowman, a transfer from the University of Maine.
Offensive line: How does experience pay off?
The Scarlet Knights return five players who started games, three of which who played nearly every snap. Those three — tackle Hollin Pierce, guard Curtis Dunlap and center Ireland Brown — expect to lead the way for a unit that also has a new position coach Pat Flaherty, who comes with more than 40 years of experience and a pair of Super Bowl victories under his belt.
Defensive line: Does Aaron Lewis live up to preseason hype?
The junior defensive end drew First Team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus. That’s a big preseason honor for the former four-star recruit from Williamstown. Last season, Lewis racked up 55 tackles, including 8 1/2 for loss, but finished with just one sack. Can Lewis become one of the Big Ten’s most-dominant players as an upperclassmen? He’ll get that opportunity leading a defensive line that returns plenty of experience.
Linebackers: How much will Mo Toure’s return from injury boost the unit?
Linebacker was the biggest preseason question mark a year ago after Toure — the team’s best pass rusher — and freshman Moses Walker, the team’s top recruit for 2023, went down with season-ending injuries in spring practice. Then came the emergence of Deion Jennings and Tyreem Powell. Both return this season after combining to make 162 tackles. Toure’s return gives the unit another top option after leading the team in sacks in 2020 and 2021.
Cornerbacks: Can Max Melton take his game to the next level?
Melton landed on Mel Kiper’s NFL draft board as the eighth-best player available at his position in December. The former Cedar Creek standout delayed his dreams of playing professionally in hopes of leading Rutgers to a winning season. He has the chance to be one of the Big Ten’s top players at his position — and that’s after he was one of the highest-regarded cover players a season ago.
Safeties: Who takes advantage with snaps up for grabs?
Christian Izien and Avery Young were two of the most experienced players on the roster last season but both exhausted their eligibility, meaning Rutgers will rely on several newcomers at safety this season. Junior Desmond Igbinosun started nine games in the three-safety rotation last season while junior Shaquan Loyal had several impressive moments as well. They’re two leading candidates expected to be in starting roles, along with Michael “Flip” Dixon, a transfer from Minnesota.
Special teams: A new era begins so what’s next ?
The time has come to an end, Rutgers fans. The days of watching punter Adam Korsak flip the field are over. Now, it’s time to watch another Australian — Flynn Appleby — handle punting duties. The new punter enrolled last year and worked as Korsak’s understudy. Nevertheless, Appleby knows he has big shoes to fill after Korsak ended his career by breaking several NCAA records and going down as an all-time great Scarlet Knight.