Rutgers Spring Practice Primer

Spring practice begins today in Piscataway and that means the introduction of a new version of Rutgers football. Here’s a closer look at the most telling differences and pressing questions involving the 2018 Scarlet Knights football team.

The quarterback quandary

A common them will recur today as Rutgers searches for its next starting quarterback. Here is a look at the combatants and what will be expected from each of them:

FR Artur Sitkowski – Reports are that the former four-star is faring well in the early going, but don’t expect him to jump right in and take first-team reps on the first day of practice.

FR Jalen Chatman – His winning pedigree and on-field accomplishments has made Chatman a very confident freshman, but there will still be a fair amount of learning this spring.

JR Tom Flacco – Now that Jerry Kill is gone from the coaching staff, Flacco does not have the same endorsement from his offensive coordinator just yet. Can he win over John McNulty this spring?

SR Gio Resigno – The senor is the incumbent starter, although Rescigno’s position is nowhere near solidified. His main objective this spring will be improving as a passer.

SO Johnathan Lewis – The St. Peter’s Prep alum looks as though the job is his to lose, but it will take an improved ability to read defenses and more accurate passing.

The new coaching looks

There will be a host of new coaches taking the field today as Rutgers introduced five new assistant coaches in the offseason. Here is a closer look at who will be out there coaching for the Scarlet Knights.

OC John McNulty – With health issues inhibiting what Jerry Kill could do last season, McNulty looks like he will be a huge upgrade when it comes to calling plays and offensive scheming.

CB Cory Robinson – A young coach on the rise, Robinson has enjoyed success wherever he’s coached and there is a strong probability that will continue.

S Noah Joseph – The former Indiana assistant comes in with a solid reputation and Big Ten coaching experience to his credit. He should prove to be a solid addition.

RB Nunzio Campanile – The former Bergen Catholic head coach enjoyed a wealth of success at the high school level and now has a new proving ground in the college ranks. The early reports have indicated Campanile has been well received.

DL Corey Brown – Coming from Miami- Ohio, this will be a big jump for Brown, who may have the toughest job of any new assistant. The RU d-line needs some retooling and even more help in recruiting.

A telling year No.3 for Chris Ash

Taking over a team that was not overstocked with talent allowed Ash to have sort of a crutch through the first two seasons. Now, he has a roster that is more laden with players he recruited as this season could be telling sign of how the future will play out. Here are some factors working to Ash’s advantage.

Scheduling – Rutgers will face an out-of-conference schedule that features Kansas, Texas State and Buffalo, all of which are winnable games. The first half of the schedule also includes Indiana and Illinois. If Ash can get his team playing well early, it could build a lot of momentum and confidence through the first half of the season.

Continuity – Some of the same faces are returning to the field today and there is only one grad transfer in running back Jonathan Hilliman. That is very different from last season when Ash was actively seeking out seniors who could come in and be a sort of stopgap.

Resources – Ash has a new weight room and a new practice field to work with and now that he has his staff in place, it is up to the coaches to develop players to the point where Rutgers can return to a bowl game.

The spring enrollees

There will be a host of players on the practice field for the very first time today. Here is a rundown of those players and their chances of seeing the field in their first year as a Scarlet Knight.

QB Artur Sitkowski - The NJ native has a decent shot of winding up among the top two quarterbacks come opening day.

QB Jalen Chatman – He will come in as a bit of an underdog, but his toughness, leadership and confidence should not be underestimated.

RB Isaih Pacheco – Graduating three productive running backs has all but guaranteed Pacheco playing time as a true freshman.

RB Jonathan Hilliman – There is a very good chance that the BC grad transfer will be the starting running back when the season begins.

TE Jalen Jordan – There is depth at the position and no need to rush Jordan into action, unless he really shines on the practice field.

WR Eddie Lewis – The need for wide receivers is likely to fast track Lewis onto the field and having a post-grad year to his credit should enable him to contribute.

OT Raiqwon O’Neal – There are not many true freshmen who have played and really contributed on the O-line at Rutgers, but O’Neal has the potential to develop very quickly.

DB Kessawn Abraham – The speedy corner walks into a position where the two-deep is all but solidified, which gives him plenty of time to learn and develop.

S Malik Dixon – The JuCo transfer steps in at a position where depth is needed. The upgrade in competition will be Dixon’s biggest adjustment and he looks to be up to the challenge.

P Adam Korsak – It would take an unforeseen turn of events for Rutgers to send out someone other than Korsak as its opening day starter at punter.