It all starts up front, and we might have the best OL in the country, with our OL last year leading the way for the Big Tens leading rusher and our OL allowing the fewest sacks. With four of five starters returning and another year stronger, I expect our OL to improve upon last years performance. Key is Suttons knee, which clearly wasn’t fully healed last year, but should be better next year. Despite his limitations, he gave many a Miami defender a ride and made them look like they were playing on roller skates.
Quarterbacks will throw at least 55% this year, and I honestly don’t care who it is. Surace is the most talented quarterback on the roster, but he may need to hold a clipboard for a year, which isn’t the worst thing. Athan and Gavin are competing.
Our running attack is as good as any, with the Big Tens leading rusher returning and Sam Brown backing up. And a plethora of running backs behind them, biding their time.
Big difference in talent level in the WR Corp. our starters are arguably three WR1 caliber receivers who will significantly bolster our WR productivity. Miller, Brantley, and Strong could be as good as any WR Corp in the nation. Dremels consistency will be better appreciated with better Quarterback play.
Depth has significantly improved. Toure redshirted last year but flashed in the bowl game, and has NFL potential.
Korey Duff is a future All American, but will spend this year acclimating to this level and growing into his body. His best position might be Flex Tight End, but no matter where he plays this year, he is going to be a matchup nightmare. Very excited about Ben Black, who brings blazing 4.37 speed to the table. Braithwaite is waiting in the wings to impact. The Corp has gone from lacking talent to having a plethora of talent. This is where I think Rutgers Football will show its biggest improvement. Last year, the receiving game struggled. This year, I expect the receiving game to take a big step up.
We all know tight end is the biggest question mark. The team seems to be banking on Fletcher, whose effectiveness is unknown, so it’ll be a wait and see situation. Konopka has size and has flashed at times, but hardly played last year. Blake and Higgins have measureables but have yet to meaningfully impact. We will probably add a Bowman caliber tight end from the portal. If we were USC, we would buy the best tight end money could buy. We’re not, so our hopes rest on unknowns.
Defense could be the best in the nation. Defensive Tackles are stout and depth is impressive. Malcolm Ray, Zaire Angoy, Hamilton, Konga and Rainey are going to clog up running lanes. Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey have All American type potential and didn’t have as good a season as expected last year, as their coach was on the mend.
The Linebacking Corp is the heart and soul of this team. Tyreek Powell is a potential All American and first round draft pick. Mohamed Toure has gotten progressively better and has all conference potential. Walker and Wright back them up.
The secondary should once again be strong despite losing our best player in Melton. Longer ram is going to be drafted next year. Mascoe figures to be the other corner and will be seeing his first action. Igbinosun flashed big time potential last year, and was a key reason the defense was much improved. Safeties Flip Dixon and Shaquan Loyal were very effective last year. They will be supplemented by Kai Sanders, who is a budding star.
We are strong across the board. Tight End is the sole question mark. Looking like the best season since 2006, and perhaps even better.
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