Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2024 Football Preview

Rutgers has become a trendy pick to emerge in the upper half of the Big Ten in 2024, thanks to a senior-laden experienced team and a friendly schedule. Greg Schiano was a winner his first time at Rutgers, and they’ve shown improvement over the “Buttgers” days that culminated in a 21 conference game losing streak from 2017 through 2019.

While the Huskers won’t be playing Minnesota in 2024, they will have to face Athan Kaliakmanis (6’4” 210 lbs.) for the third year in a row. Kaliakmanis is reunited with Kirk Ciarrocca, his freshman offensive coordinator when he was much more effective than he was last season. Last season, Kaliakmanis completed just 53% of his passes for 2,784 yards and 17 touchdowns, but 13 interceptions. With former starter Gain Wimsatt transferring to Kentucky after spring practice, the backup situation comes down to true freshman AJ Surace (6’2” 204 lbs.) or redshirt freshman Ajani Sheppard (6’2” 230 lbs.), who completed 2 of 2 passes in one relieft appearance last season.

Junior running back Kyle Monangai (5’9” 210 lbs.) broke out last season, rushing for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns, earning second team All-Big Ten honors. His 1,262 yards led the Big Ten. Junior Samuel Brown (6’2” 225 lbs.) had an impressive freshman season in 2022 before an injury allowed Monangai to seize the job; Brown rushed for 216 yards last season as a backup.

Junior wide receiver Christian Dremel (5’9” 185 lbs.) was Rutgers’ leading receiver last season with 36 catches for 468 yards and three touchdowns. They’ll have to replace two other starters with transfers Dymere Miller (6’0” 180 lbs.) and Naseim Brantly (6’2” 210 lbs.) Miller transferred from Monmouth where he had 2,387 career receiving yards, while Brantley posted 2,154 career receiving yards at Sacred Heart and Western Illinois. With a new quarterback who should be a better passer than Wimsatt, I would expect Rutgers’ passing game to be much improved.

Rutgers offensive line should be stronger this season with three returning starters plus adding Ohio transfer right tackle Shedrick Rhodes (6’6” 322 lbs.), a multi-year starter. He’ll be joining three year starter Hollin Pierce (6’8” 340 lbs.) at left tackle, senior center Gus Zilinskas (6’2” 295 lbs.) and senior left guard Bryan Felter (6’3” 300 lbs.) This offensive line looks stronger in 2024.

Rutgers will be rolling out a veteran defense with seven of their top eight tacklers from 2023 returning. Up front, senior defensive ends Aaron Lewis (6’5” 260 lbs.) and Wesley Bailey (6’5” 255 lbs.) will anchor the defense. Lewis is a two year starter who has 106 tackles and 20 quarterback hurries over the last two seasons; Lewis was a third team All-Big Ten honoree in 2022. Senior nose tackle Kyonte Hamiltion (6’4” 300 lbs.) was a part-time starter who had 28 tackles last season. Florida State transfer defensive tackle Malcolm Ray (6’2” 292 lbs.) has 58 career tackles in 37 games for the Seminoles.

Senior weakside linebacker Mohamed Toure (6’2” 240 lbs.) is Rutgers leading returning tackler from last season with 93; Toure also led with 4.5 sacks last season, earning him fourth team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Senior middle linebacker Tyreem Powell (6’5” 225 lbs.) was limited to eight games and 53 tackles due to injury. Senior star linebacker Desmond Igbinosun (6’3” 205 lbs.) added 64 tackles last year.

Senior safety Flip Dixon (6’2” 210 lbs.) led the secondary last season with 76 tackles, earning him fourth team All-Big Ten honors. Junior safety Shaquan Loyal (6’0” 205 lbs.) added 66 tackles as well, while senior cornerback Robert Longerbeam (5’11” 175 lbs.) had 10 pass breakups. Rutgers does have to replace a second round draft pick, likely with senior cornerback Eric Rogers (6’2” 185 lbs.). A reserve last season for Rutgers, he started 11 games for Northern Illinois from 2020 through 2022.

Rutgers also draws a favorable schedule with a non-conference game at Virginia Tech and conference games against Southern Cal, Washington (with only two returning starters), Wisconsin and UCLA. It’s a reason why Rutgers is a trendy pick to finish in the upper half of the Big Ten; ignore the Scarlet Knights at your own risk.