This week's Knights of The Round Table segment takes a look at the primary changes in college football that have occurred since the start of four former Scarlet Knights' college careers. Former RU players David Milewski, Marcus Perry, Mason Robinson and Mike Burton share their insight on those changes.

DE David Milewski (2010-14)

“The biggest change I saw was the number of high-tempo offenses we would see over the course of a season. It was difficult for the defense conditioning wise. When those teams were able to get a couple of first downs, they were able to really tire out the defense. On the flip side of that, if you are able to get a quick stop, then you are on and off the field. But those teams that are able to use that offense effectively, they started popping up more and more. I remember practicing for those teams in the bubble and it was just non-stop reps. You were not even able to practice because you were so tired. But it was a good indication of the game. When you are going against those high-tempo offenses, sometimes you cannot substitute even if you wanted to. On the defensive line, you go have to stay in the whole time and make the adjustments on the fly. Mentally, it was a challenge just as much as it was physically. It was just a big change up because we didn’t see it every week. At the end of my career, we probably did a little bit better against those teams just because we saw them more often.”

DE Marcus Perry (1997-2001)

“The offensive players are protected more. There is more emphasis on safety. The concussion procedures and the equipment, for that matter, were nowhere near what they are now. Protecting offensive players from unnecessary hits is probably the biggest change. I think guys are pretty well protected now. But now kids at the high school level, and where I coach, have the latest and greatest technology to help protect their heads. And I was always taught to get your head across the body of the ball carrier and the reason for that is you wanted to stop his momentum. But you had your head involved there. So now, what we teach at Mainland and I know Coach Ash teaches it at Rutgers, is the rugby style tackle that teaches you to get your head out of there. Sometimes, it is awkward for us. These kids at the Pop Warner level were not taught that, so it is still a work in progress to transition to the new tackling style so they can get their heads out of there.”

RB/DB Mason Robinson (2007-12)

“I think they are getting more dual-threats in college. You are also getting more guys that are capable of playing both ways, like a Jabrill Peppers. I know we have seen that in the past. But I don’t think there are as many changes as in other sports like basketball, where you get taller guys that can handle the ball a lot better and centers that can step out and hit three-pointers. But you are getting more quarterbacks who cannot only throw the ball. These are guys who can also run and move around. I know the dynamics of the athlete today are changing too. Each position is getting more athletic. You can’t just be a big guy anymore. You have to have some speed and agility. The quarterbacks’ arms seem to be getting stronger as well. You also have linebackers who can really run and make it tougher on running backs. You have some linebackers that can keep up with receivers. The D-linemen is getting a lot faster and quicker too.”

FB Michael Burton (2010-14)

“You are seeing athletes getting bigger, stronger and faster. Now, it is a matter of how can you get those athletes on the field at the same time. It makes for a higher-scoring more fast-paced type of game. I think that kind of depends on what kind of conference you are looking at. Some conferences run the ball more than others. But I think when you have such great athletes, you have to find ways to get them all on the field.”

Does that mean the fullback is disappearing in college football?

“It is hard to say. I don’t pay as much attention to college football as I once did. I know there are still teams out there that use them. Usually two or three fullbacks get drafted on a yearly basis so I think there is still a need for them. I just think along with that, you need to find guys who are versatile; guys who can block, run, catch and do different things. Guys who can be a special teams guy and not be one dimensional and do a lot of different things. As I found in the NFL, it is a numbers thing in terms of rosters. You have to come up with the best guys, so you want to be a guy who can do multiple things.”

For more insight into this topic and more from the players, check out our latest Scarlet Slant.