This spring, the offense is making progress under Kirk Ciarrocca. So says Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano during a Thursday afternoon interview.
In speaking to the Big Ten Network, Schiano fielded a question about the progress of quarterbacks Evan Simon and Gavin Wimsatt. The duo are the only quarterbacks on the Rutgers roster to have started a game at the Power Five level.
Schiano’s answer provided a glimpse into why the Scarlet Knights head coach made the hiring of Kirk Ciarrocca a priority this offseason. A veteran offensive coordinator, Ciarrocca was with Minnesota last season and helped guide the unit to becoming a top four offense in the Big Ten.
“Well, I think you know, it all starts with the hiring of Kirk Ciarrocca. I think he’s done an incredible job, just molding our entire offense,” Schiano told the Big Ten Network.
“And he coaches, the quarterbacks and I just love watching the job he’s doing with these guys, because I just heard him say it today, you know, ‘Trust your eyes, and if you’ve got to think about it, throw it away or tuck it and run.’ And I love that right? It takes all the guesswork out of things.”
Wimsatt, a former four-star recruit, likely has the inside track on the starting job once fall camp opens given his flashes last season. He has the mobility needed to make plays and has the arm strength to make every throw.
Simon was steady last year for Rutgers and certainly is in the mix as part of the quarterback competition. Schiano sees Ciarrocca, who is also the quarterbacks coach, as responsible for making progress this spring.
Given the shaky performance of the quarterbacks last season, a step forward is big news for not just the offense but the team as a whole.
“I really think that the quarterback room as a whole is taking a step and Gavin has really improved, Evan (has) improved. I’m excited,” Schiano said.
“I’m excited about the position. I’m excited about where our offense is headed.”
In addition, Schiano was asked about the development of Ajani Sheppard. A true freshman from Iona Prep (New Rochelle, NY.), Sheppard has a lot of potential but needs some development and refinement to round out his skillset.
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“Talented young guy really talented and has every intangible there is I mean off the charts hard worker great personality team guy,” Schiano said.
“You know guys like that usually find a way that they make it – I mean, that’s the kind of guy he is. So I think we added some quality depth there with Ajani.”
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