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For Rutgers football, Saturday’s loss to No. 9 Michigan State – a third straight loss for the Scarlet Knights – might have been demoralizing. But big reps for a number of young players, in particular in the secondary, could prove invaluable as the Big Ten football season grinds on.
The emergence of corner freshman Robert Longerbeam (five tackles against Michigan State) in recent weeks is certainly a talking point for Rutgers so far this season as the former wide receiver has transitioned well to defensive back. And on Saturday, true freshmen Desmond Igbinosun (three tackles) and Alijah Clark (check out his tremendous fourth-quarter interception), both safeties, proved their value.
“I think when you have opportunities, those guys have been getting more work in practice, as you know. As they get better and better, they earn the trust of the coaching staff. Robert Longerbeam has been playing a lot. Robert has worked his way into being a guy that can play for us,” head coach Greg Schiano told reporters after the game.
“It’s good, we’re developing some depth as we go. The offensive line, we have to continue to do that. I think we’re ready to play some more guys. We need to make sure that we play and use every bit of talent we have.”
The impact of the three freshmen defensive backs is big for Rutgers, not only as the players step in for injured upperclassmen. Getting reps in big games against top 10 opponents like Michigan State is vitally important for the Scarlet Knights as they look to develop the kind of talent that can compete in the Big Ten and challenge for bowl games.
On this week’s episode of ‘Chop Weekly,’ Eric LeGrand told co-host Chris Carlin that these reps are key for the development of a young player.
“Yeah, between Desmond, there’s also Alijah Clark out there getting an interception, these highly-touted prospects that Rutgers recruited last year, they’re getting their playing time now, and it is during Big Ten play, it’s not in the non-conference schedule. So these are moments that they are going to be able to learn from, get themselves on film, and be able to grow from. It is actually good to get younger guys out there out – of course, you don’t want to get banged up in front of them – but when you get younger guys out there and get experience, it benefits you going forward and into the next season,” LeGrand said on ‘Chop Weekly.’
“But I was very impressed with what those young freshmen were able to go out there when throwing them in a fire like that.”
