With training camp right around the corner for Rutgers, the sports calendar begins to shift toward football. So, the first position to break down is arguably the most important in all of sports: quarterback.
Entering his third year with the program, it is time for Gavin Wimsatt to take the reins and become the quarterback the Scarlet Knights pictured when he committed to them in 2020.
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It has been a rough go for Wimsatt since arriving on the banks considering he has thrown just five touchdowns and nine interceptions for 802 yards with a QBR of 84.3 in 12 games. However, it is hard not to look at Wimsatt’s body of work and not cut him some slack considering he is entering the season with his third different offensive coordinator. Wimsatt also had to withstand some injury bugs last season as he missed three games with an ankle injury and had to leave the Minnesota matchup with a head injury.
If the landscape of football has shown anything, it is that it is virtually impossible to consistently win without a quality starting quarterback. So, as much as Rutgers is looking to get to that magic number of six wins, the development of Wimsatt is just as important.
Evan Simon also enters his junior season with the Scarlet Knights and, similar to Wimsatt, has had a tough go of things. The duo split much of their time last season as the starter with Simon amounting just four touchdowns and six interceptions for 777 yards.
Although Simon’s stats might not jump off the page, he does present a layer of experience that will be important if called upon to fill the QB1 role once again. However, the ideal scenario will likely be the Scarlet Knights handing the keys over to Wimsatt and Simon assuming backup duties.
Rutgers also welcomes back Gavin Rupp and Raedan Oliver along with a new face in Ajani Sheppard. While Rupp and Oliver will likely not see the field, Sheppard poses an interesting option as a possible QB3 for the Scarlet Knights.
Coming in as a three-star prospect and the No. 6 overall recruit in New York by ESPN, Sheppard’s frame and athleticism present fascinating possibilities for the Scarlet Knights. Standing at 6-foot-3, 230 lbs., Sheppard showed at Iona Prep he has a body capable of giving and withstanding damage.
Sheppard wrapped up his high school career throwing for 4,772 yards with 43 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 27 games. He also rushed for 2,415 yards in 288 carries with 30 touchdowns.
Like most quarterbacks, Sheppard will have to undergo some development before he is ready to take the field in real-time game action. However, his path is something to monitor as the Scarlet Knights look for future signal callers.
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