One of the biggest headlines of the spring for Rutgers has been the elevated play of fifth-year senior defensive end Kemoko Turay. Rutgers is in need of an edge pass rusher and, thus far, Turay is showing signs that he could be the answer.

“I am playing fast. I am studying constantly every day with the coaches,” Turay said following Tuesday’s practice. “I am out there doing my assignments and going back to the film and constantly watching it in my spare time.”

Turay’s 2016 season was marred by injury as two shoulder surgeries left him less than 100%.

“I didn’t have him until the last couple weeks of September and that is the first time I ever saw him practice,” said defensive line coach Shane Burnham. “To get to work with him this offseason, we knew he was athletic, but man he really is athletic. To see him go full speed and not worry about getting hurt and mentally he is further along and he is just a really athletic guy. Now that he is healthy and more comfortable in the scheme, he is playing faster. He is really playing fast.”

Turay also mentioned how much he has grown since the new staff has taken over.

“It is just a learning experience and [I am] maturing, knowing the ways around and how to fix things, just being a pro; taking care of my body every day and making sure I don’t have that setback again.”

Part of the reason for Turay’s early success this spring has been his upgrade in strength.

“I am following everything Coach [Kenny] Parker is teaching me like coming in and getting extra lifts and treatment every day,” Turay said. “I am eating right, Miss Allison [Kreimeier] is constantly giving me food. She texts me every day when to eat, when to drink protein and stuff like that.”

Now, with just one year left of eligibility, Turay is also not taking his final season lightly.

“I don’t have any choice, I have to go out there and show everything I got and just be smart, be a pro.”

For more on Turay, check out our latest Scarlet Slant.