Hey all, I've written up a bunch of Rutgers football related articles over the course the last few weeks and they will be going up starting next week. Training camp is less than a month away.
But first, I did want to point out a couple players who could be in for breakout years. Instead of publishing as an article, I'm posting them here on the board. They are in no particular order.
1) WRs Daevon Robinson and Paul Woods: First up are the duo of receivers. Robinson is a sophomore eligibility wise while Woods is a redshirt freshman and both flashed during the spring and moved up the depth chart. Robinson is likely to be one of the starters after shifting over from tight end. He has good size, which is why he was moved over as the staff was looking for a bigger target at the position along with the fact he likes receiver, and showed signs he can be effective and help spark the putrid passing attack. The same goes for Woods, and although it is likely he won't start, he was able to get open during the spring and make catches down the field time and time again.
2) DT Micah Clark: If it wasn't for an lower leg injury that he suffered during spring camp, Clark might have been the most talked about player heading into training camp. Clark made the move from offensive line to defensive late late last season, and performed well early on in April. Clark was able to use his athleticism to get into the backfield. He is all healed up now and should be ready to show what the highly-touted former four-star prospect out of St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.) can do. Clark was playing some nose tackle, but could play regular defensive tackle also. Production and depth on the interior for the Scarlet Knights is a major need.
3) JACK TiJaun Mason: I kind of feel bad about this one, not that I'm choosing him here, but the fact I hyped Mason up just days before the season opener last year and I did a really nice article on him and he broke his leg in the first half against Texas State. It was truly a bummer to see as I think Mason has high upside. Mason and the staff took things slowly during the spring, but he has the ability to be deadly as a pass rusher off the edge. He could still add some size and improve as a run stopper, but Mason can right now be effective at getting to the quarterback, something Rutgers needs. The JACK position is stacked with Mason, Elorm Lumor, C.J. Onyechi, and Nihym Anderson, but the Tennessee native will get his snaps.
4) OL Raiqwon O'Neal: In all likelihood, O'Neal will be Rutgers' starting left tackle season in place of Tariq Cole, a three-year starter who is now with the Arizona Cardinals. O'Neal, who is down from South Carolina, was a really solid get for Rutgers and the fact that he is in-line to start as a redshirt freshman says it all. If Rutgers wants to improve its offense in 2019, it'll start with the offensive line. O'Neal got some experience a year ago playing in four games and didn't fare the best, but it was a learning experience.
5) CB Tre Avery: As it stands, Avery is the team's third cornerback and nickelback, and he likes it. Avery was talked up by a lot of the coaches when he came over from Toledo. Rutgers head coach Chris Ash recruited Avery to Ohio State when he was the defensive coordinator with the Buckeyes. Avery eventually would wind up at Toledo, but his relationship with Ash then led him to Rutgers. Injuries kept him out for the majority of last season and he's itching to make an impact in games. Avery is quick and has good speed and has potential, and staying healthy is a priority. If is able to play and play as well as people say he can, the cornerbacks room could be one of the Scarlet Knights' best.
6) TEs Matt Alaimo and Johnathan Lewis: The group of players at the tight end position isn't big with Alaimo, Lewis, and graduate transfer Kyle Penniston the lone guys there on scholarship. Unless something crazy happens, Penniston is penciled in as a starter given his four-year experience at Wisconsin, but that leads Alaimo and Lewis to fill the other top tight end spot. Lewis, a redshirt sophomore, made the switch to tight end last year from quarterback and it became permanent this past spring. Lewis has added bulk and will continue to learn about the intricacies about the tight end position. During the spring, Lewis showed he can run routes and catch passes. Alaimo, who came over from UCLA, looked to be on the smaller side during the spring, but he too can be a solid pass catcher. The Scarlet Knights will need every tight end to pull double duty this season in terms of blocking and catching passes from whomever is at quarterback.
7) S Christian Izien: Izien is just a redshirt freshman, but he made serious noise this spring with his gritty play. Izien is tough and isn't afraid to come up and make a tackle, but he can be a ballhawk as well. Don't let his 5-foot-10, 193-pound frame fool you, Izien can certainly play.
8) LB Tyshon Fogg: Finally. Fogg should have started since he stepped foot on campus, but nobody can change the past. Fogg should thrive at middle linebacker the season and is a leader on and off the field, hence why he was voted as a co-captain. Fogg has the skills to be excellent on the second level of the defense for Rutgers.
Others:
DE Ron Johnson: Transferred in from Michigan where he barely played. Looks to be a contributor at both d-end behind Mike Tverdov and on the interior.
LB Olakunle Fatukasi: Fatukasi has been a warrior and played all over the field as a pocketknife player so to speak with many tools. He was with the ones at the weakside linebacker spot during the spring, but will have to hold off and battle another Wolverine transfer, Drew Singleton.
RB Isaih Pacheco: Pacheco ran like his hair was on fire a year ago and that shouldn't change this upcoming season. The Vineland, N.J. native should have a larger role in 2019 carrying the ball in between the tackles.
OL Zach Venesky: Venesky earned a few starts at the end of the last season and has ran with them ever since. Venesky all of a sudden is a co-captain and will be looked upon to guide the line.
Who are some others than have the potential to shine in 2019?
