The Monday Morning Kickoff

A new week begins in the Scarlet Nation which means it is time to usher in another Monday with the latest edition of The Monday Morning Kickoff.

Last week as an eventful one for Rutgers as it lost a couple of players. Redshirt freshman Ahmir Mitchell is now set to undergo surgery for a torn ACL while sophomore quarterback Tylin Oden was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.

“I wish Tylin nothing but the best of luck,” head coach Chris Ash said last week. “We have standards and a culture we expect out of pour players and we have to make tough decisions at times and like Tylin, I wish him nothing but the best of luck. And we will do anything we can to help him down the road.”

Ash is also hopeful for a speedy recovery from Mitchell.

“We will get surgery for Ahmir relatively quickly,” Ash said. “Best-case scenario is that we get him back sometime before Big Ten play starts or relatively around that time. Worst-case scenario is that he will be out for the year. Obviously, you can’t ever tell how they are going to respond to ACL injuries.”

Meanwhile, the team scrimmaged on Saturday and the defense continued to get the better of the offense.

One player who continued with his solid spring on Saturday was senior nose guard Sebastian Joseph.

“Things are sinking in, there is less thinking and now it is just go, go go,” Joseph said. “I can just refine my technique and master my craft. That is all it is now. I think it is going to be a good year.”

Senior defensive end Kemoko Turay also showed up on Saturday and this spring has been a strong indication that he is heading for a solid senior season.

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

A host of visitors were on campus and that was preceded by a Friday night visit by four-star running back Iverson Clement. Saturday’s visitor list included RU offerees Lance Turay of Irvington and athlete Daevon Robinson of Shawnee. Stay logged onto The Round Table for all the latest recruiting updates on those players and more.