Tag: 2023 Rutgers football

Film review: Can transfer Shawn Bowman boost Tight End production for Rutgers football?

Can 2023 transfer Shawn Bowman add a much-needed boost to Rutgers football’s tight end position?

Maine transfer Shawn Bowman added a much-needed boost to Rutgers football’s tight end position when he signed with the Scarlet Knights for their 2023 season via the transfer portal.

The Scarlet Knights finally landed a rare high-level blocking and pass-catching tight end that can contribute on every down. Bowman, 6-foot-5, 263 pounds, has excellent size and can shine in the Big Ten.

His commitment to Rutgers football gives the Scarlet Knights a much-needed boost in the passing and rushing game. Bowman received interest from Mississippi State, Colorado, Louisville, and Oregon, electing to go with the Scarlet Knights. He was offered by Mississippi State.

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Film Breakdown

Heading into the 2023 season, Bowman will be a reliable outlet for Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. His ability to run routes and block will make him an every-down tight end. Bowman has excellent hands, recording 30 receptions for 358 yards and five touchdowns, earning all-CAA third team last season.

The new Scarlet Knight offers a ton of experience, playing four seasons with the Black Bears. Bowman finished his Maine career (four seasons) with 86 catches for 960 yards and 11 touchdowns. The former Black Bear has the most experience among the other tight ends on the Rutgers 2023 roster.

His blocking ability will improve Rutgers’ offensive line struggles in the passing game. Also, he can seal the edge in the zone running scheme and kick out the edge defender in the power-rushing game.

As the 2023 season inches closer, Bowman will be an immediate boost in Rutgers’ lacking tight-end production.

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Big Ten Conference announces several Rutgers Football 2023 game times

On Wednesday, Rutgers football received game times for seven contests from the Big Ten Conference and its television partners.

On Wednesday, Rutgers football received game times for seven contests from the Big Ten Conference and its television partners.

Rutgers kicks their 2023 football season off on Sunday, September 3, at noon against Northwestern. The season opener will be a nationally televised conference matchup on CBS against the Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Also, the season opener versus Northwestern will mark the first time the Scarlet Knights open with a home Big Ten game.

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In September, three of the four home games were announced game times for the Scarlet Knights. On September 9, the Scarlet Knights will host Temple at 7:30 p.m., and on September 16 at 3:30 p.m.will host Virginia Tech. The Big Ten Network will provide television coverage for these two home matchups.

Rutgers’ annual Homecoming and Family game is scheduled for October 14 at noon when the Scarlet Knights host Michigan State at SHI Stadium.

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Also, three road contests were provided game times on Wednesday, with the first being Rutgers-Michigan at noon on September 23. On October 7, the Scarlet Knights will travel to Madison to take on Wisconsin for a game that will kick off at noon or 3:30/4 p.m. For their third road game of the 2023 season, the Scarlet Knights will travel to Indiana to take on the Hoosiers on October 21 at noon.

The game times and television designations for all the remaining games will be decided during the season.

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Preview: 2023 Rutgers football season win/loss predictions

The 2022 season wasn’t pleasant for Rutgers, and head coach Greg Schiano is ready for a fresh start. Here are the win/loss predictions for 2023.

Rutgers football had some struggles in 2022. But there is reason for some optimism this fall.

The Scarlet Knights finished last season with a 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten) record, placing them seventh overall in the Big Ten East standings.

Taking an early look at Rutgers football’s 2023 schedule, the Scarlet Knights are rewarded with seven home games this upcoming season. All five of Rutgers’ road games are against Big Ten opponents, meaning that the Scarlet Knights might need to get a road win or two to be bowl eligible. Last season, Rutgers won two road games but both where non-conference games.

As for 2023, it looks different for head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights, as their schedule has some winnable games. This upcoming season will be Schiano’s fourth season with the Scarlet Knights, and he is yet to have a winning record in his return back to the program. Bowl eligibility is possible this year, as the Scarlet Knights could go 6-6 this upcoming season.

Below are the rankings of Rutgers’ win/loss probability, starting with the most likely to lose, then the most winnable.

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Rutgers football: Who was selected for Athlon Sports Preseason honors?

Rutgers football had five players selected to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten teams. Which players received preseason honors?

Rutgers football had five players selected to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten teams. Athlon Sports is a media outlet that offers predictions and expert analysis based on 2023 projections.

Athlon Sports selected the following Scarlet Knights to Preseason All-Big Ten teams:

  1. Aaron Lewis (DL) – Second Team
  2. Deion Jennings (LB) – Third Team
  3. Max Melton (DB) – Third Team
  4. Wesley Bailey (DL) – Fourth Team
  5. Hollin Pierce (OL) – Fourth Team

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#71 Aaron Lewis (DL)

Aaron Lewis from Williamstown, New Jersey, had a solid 2022 season on Rutgers’ defensive line. Lewis received Third Team All-Big Ten in the coaches’ vote, Phil Steele, and Pro Football Focus polls last season. He recorded 55 tackles with eight for loss and received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media). Lewis went on to win the 2022 Co-Defensive MVP for the Scarlet Knights.

#17 Deion Jennings (LB)

Deion Jennings from Timber Creek High School in Sicklerville, New Jersey, got selected Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media) in 2022. Jennings recorded a team-high 91 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss last season. He averaged 8.3 tackles per game, ranking him seventh in the Big Ten. For his efforts last season, Jennings got rewarded with the 2022 Homer Hazel Award and the 2022 Douglas A. Smith Second Effort Award.

#16 Max Melton (DB)

Max Melton from Cedar Creek High School in Mays Landing, New Jersey, was selected for the 2022 Fourth Team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele). Also, he received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches & Media) in 2022. Last season, he contributed on defense and special teams, logging ten pass breakups, two interceptions, 33 tackles, and a nation-leading three blocked punts.

#23 Wesley Bailey (DL)

Wesley Bailey, Canadian Native from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, recorded 30 tackles with eight for loss last season. He logged 12 starts at defensive end, recording a team-high 3.5 sacks. Also, Bailey led the Big Ten with three fumble recoveries. For his effort last season, Bailey received the 2022 David Bender Award.

#72 Hollin Pierce (OL)

Hollin Pierce from Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, started 24 games over the past two seasons. In 2022, Pierce was a candidate for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is an award for the most outstanding football player who began a career as a walk-on. Also, he received Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2022.

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Rutgers football: 2023 transfer wide receiver JaQuae Jackson has star potential

Rutgers football received a big splash as wide receiver JaQuae Jackson joined the Scarlet Knights via the transfer portal.

Rutgers football received a big splash as wide receiver JaQuae Jackson joined the Scarlet Knights via the transfer portal. Jackson was a highly-rated player in the transfer portal, receiving offers from Miami, Texas A&M, and Colorado before committing to Rutgers football.

According to 247Sports, Rutgers’ new offensive coaching staff, under offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca and wide receiver coach Dave Brock, is the main focal point in Jackson’s decision, as he felt Rutgers had the right combination to help him become a professional receiver.

Jackson has played for California University (PA) for three years. Last season at the Division 2 level, Jackson logged 77 catches for 1178 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also added two rushing touchdowns to his stat sheet.

The Pennsylvania native from Mckeesport, PA, has the potential to be the top wide receiver by the beginning of the 2023 season.

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Film Assessment

The 6-foot-3, 175 pounds wide receiver has excellent hands and athletic ability. He is an All-PSAC, All-Region, and All-American player at the Division 2 level. He can run multiple route combinations and line up anywhere on the field. Jackson causes a ton of mismatches, beating defenders in all types of coverages. He has an excellent vertical, out-jumping defender for the football. Jackson’s speed makes it difficult for defenders to cover him man-to-man. Jackson can add another level to the running game, providing sweeps around the outside.

Now that Jackson is an official Scarlet Knight, he needs to start studying the playbook and play catch up. If he can learn Ciarrocca’s playbook in time for the 2023 season, Jackson might find himself on the top of the receiver’s depth chart.

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Where does Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano rank in the 2023 college football coach rankings?

Out of the 133 NCAA Division I Football (FBS) head coaches, where does Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano rank?

Heading into the 2023 season, 133 teams will compete at the NCAA Division I Football level (FBS) for the NCAA National Championship. Out of the 133 head coaches, where does Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano rank?

Since 2016, CBS Sports has been ranking Power Five coaches, allowing voters to submit ballots ranking the coaches of the Power Five. According to CBS Sports’ 2023 College Football Head Coach Rankings, Schiano is ranked No. 50, dropping 14 spots from last year’s rankings.

Since rejoining the Scarlet Knights in 2020, Schiano has a 12-22 record and is 6-20 against Big Ten opponents. During his first tenure at Rutgers from 2001 to 2011, Schiano employed a slow and steady rebuild.

He began to see the program turn around in its four season in his first rebuild. Schiano enters his fourth season with Rutgers this fall.

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Coming off a 4-8 record last season, Schiano knew a shake-up was needed in the off-season. He brought in a trio of seasoned and proven coaches to help on the offensive side of the ball.

Kirk Ciarrocca, who last year was the offensive coordiantor at Minnesota, was brought in for the same position at Rutgers.  He also added offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, who spent over two decades in the NFL and won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants as their offensive line coach.

He also hired wide receivers coach Dave Brock, who spent his previous five years coaching in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.

These hires show significant investment on the offensive side of the ball, an area where Rutgers struggled greatly last season.

One area where Schiano hasn’t received enough credit is recruiting, especially this year. According to 247Sports, Rutgers football is ranked No. 27 in the country for their 2024 recruiting class under Schiano.

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Film Breakdown: Can John Stone add depth to Rutgers’ offensive line group?

Rutgers football 2023 recruit John Stone is excited to join RU’s family atmosphere. Can Stone add depth to Rutgers’ offensive line group?

John Stone, the first Rutgers football commitment in its 2023 class, is excited to join Rutgers’ family atmosphere. The 6-foot-3 270 pounds offensive lineman got recruited by Rutgers to add depth and physicality to their offensive line.

The New Jersey native from Sewell, NJ, is the first prospect from Washington Township High School to come to Rutgers since linebacker Ryan D’Imperio (2006-2009). D’Imperio was drafted as a linebacker in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings (237th overall).

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According to 247Sports, Stone is ranked the No. 15 recruit in New Jersey and No. 71 in the nation among his recruiting class. Stone has a Rivals rating of 5.6 (3 stars). The Rutgers’ 2023 prospect received offers from Monmouth and Temple, electing to play for head coach Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights this upcoming season.

Stone’s Athletic Achievements (according to hudl.com):

  1. All South Jersey 1st Team – 2021
  2. All-Conference 1st Team – 2021

Film Breakdown

Stone offers a ton of physicality upfront, something he learned from wrestling in the off-season. For his size, Stone is quick and moves well when pulling or blocking in space. He has excellent technique when pulling (skip or open pull), knocking defenders down in his path. Stone finishes his blocks from whistle to whistle and plays with max effort. He has excellent technique and communication skills when double-teaming defenders with his teammates.

Stone can move well in the screen game, taking on multiple defenders downfield. He offers athletic footwork that can slow down pass rushers during passing situations. Stone’s size and quickness will allow him to play the guard positions or center at the Big Ten level.

As Stone develops into a Big Ten player, Rutgers’ strength and conditioning program will benefit the young recruit the most as he works to add depth to the Scarlet Knights’ offensive line.

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Rutgers football 2023 recruit Jesse Ofurie’s film assessment

On December 21st, recruit Jesse Ofurie signed his letter of intent, ready to bring his explosive playmaking ability to Rutgers football.

Jesse Ofurie is one of the most interesting members of the 2023 Rutgers football recruiting class. The Massachusetts native out of St. John’s Prep High School is already enrolled with the program.

Ofurie, from Salem, Massachusetts, played wide receiver and corner for the Eagles, helping them to an 11-2 record and MIAA state title as a senior. In 2022, Ofurie got selected as a Catholic Conference All-Star. Ofurie had a breakout season as a junior, catching 27 passes for 828 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. In 2021, he earned an honorable mention all-state award from the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.

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According to ESPN, Ofurie was a top receiver prospect in Massachusetts and was ranked eighth overall in the state. 247Sports ranked the three-star recruit as No. 10 overall in Massachusetts and the No. 139 wide receiver in the country.

Film Breakdown

Ofurie (6-2/205 Ibs.) will provide a much-needed boost to Rutgers’ depth at wide receiver. In 2023, the Scarlet Knights will be searching for young talent on the outside, especially with the departure of Shameen Jones, Sean Ryan, and Aron Cruickshank.

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Rutgers’ new addition will help the development of their young quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. Ofurie has a big frame and is explosive off the line of scrimmage. His release off the ball beats a lot of press coverage, making him difficult to cover man to man. He is a quarterback’s best friend, adjusting too under thrown balls. Ofurie has strong hands, holding onto passes thrown into traffic. During jump balls, Ofurie does an excellent job catching the ball at its highest point. Rutgers’s recruit can be an addition on special teams, where he returned kicks in high school.

It is yet to be seen if Ofurie can block on the outside, something he should focus on when he begins practicing with the Scarlet Knights.

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RU football: Top five positional battles heading into spring practice

As spring practices inches closer, Rutgers football gets set to iron out their 2023 depth chart.

With the start of spring football this week, Rutgers football gets set to iron out their 2023 depth chart. It is a crucial time for the program

The Scarlet Knights finished the 2022 season with a 4-8 record and were last in college football in scoring offense against winning teams, averaging just 7.8 points. Under new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarroca, the Scarlet Knights are looking for a new identity. Head coach Greg Schiano and Ciarroca will need to find some offensive weapons to help quarterback Gavin Wimsatt develop.

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The Scarlet Knights’ defense made strides under defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak in 2022, rewarding Harasymiak with a contract extension and raise. Members of Rutgers’ defense praised Harasymiak for his teaching and communication skills. Rutgers’ defensive line is the strongest unit on the defensive side, something to build on going into the 2023 season.

With spring practices approaching, take a look at the top five positional battles for Rutgers football.

What defensive improvements are needed for Rutgers football in 2023?

In 2022, Rutgers had a below-average defense, ranking 13th in the Big Ten Conference. What areas of improvement need to happen in 2023?

In 2022, Rutgers had a below-average defense, ranking them second-from-the-bottom among Big Ten teams. As a team, Rutgers gave up an average of 29.3 points per game, 45 touchdowns, and 351 total points in 12 games. What areas of improvement should the Scarlet Knights focus on in 2023?

Defensive Line

Rutgers’ defensive line is one focal point to look at this season. Last year, the Scarlet Knights had 20 sacks, ranking them No. 12 in the Big Ten Conference. Putting pressure on the quarterback increases the chances of turnovers, leading to positive plays for the Scarlet Knights.

The conference leader in this stat was Penn State, who had 43 sacks last season, more than doubling Rutgers’ sack total. If the Scarlet Knights can’t get after the quarterback with just their defensive line, then they should consider changing their defensive scheme by being aggressive and blitzing.

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Forcing Turnovers

In 2022, Rutgers’ defense had nine interceptions, ranking them 12th in the Big Ten Conference. Illinois, the Big Ten leader in interceptions, had 24 interceptions last season, more than doubling the Scarlet Knights’ total. With those nine interceptions, Rutgers scored two touchdowns. Head coach Greg Schiano would like to see his defense support the offense with easy scores. 

Red Zone Defense

In all the defensive stats, Rutgers’ red zone defense was the worst in the conference. In 2022, the Scarlet Knights were dead last in red zone defense among the Big Ten. In 12 games, Rutgers’ opponents had 41 attempts scoring 39 times inside the red zone.

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Throughout the 2022 season, the Scarlet Knights only stopped their opponents twice inside the red zone, forcing only one turnover. Rutgers’ opponents had a 95.1% chance to score either a touchdown or field goal once they were inside Rutgers’ twenty-yard line. In 2023, Rutgers needs a bend, don’t break mentality, staying strong when their opponents are stomping on the goal line.

Rutgers’ defense is ranked below average amongst defensive stats within the Big Ten. Look for the Scarlet Knights to change their defensive philosophy to improve these defensive weaknesses.

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