SOR's 5 Burning Questions Part IV

Aug 4, 2010 | By: Random Blogger

As the end of July comes about, the Rutgers football program is gearing up for the 2010 season. There are some burning questions that arise when taking a look at the latest edition of the Scarlet Knights. StateOfRutgers.com has examined the Rutgers football program and has come up with five burning questions. In today’s installment, the fourth of the series, we take a look at our No. 4 inquiry heading into training camp:

Which freshmen stand to make an impact on the field in 2010?

Throughout the years of head coach Greg Schiano’s tenure at Rutgers, he has shown that he will go after the players that he feels will make Rutgers a national power, and will not be intimidated by competition from perceivably larger, more established programs. This attitude has led to Rutgers having more talent across the board than perhaps it has ever had in its history. The summer of 2010 will bring an opportunity for many Rutgers freshman prospects to break into the lineup as well as many incoming freshmen from the 2010 class.

When analyzing which new additions to the Scarlet Knights game roster could make an impact, one has to look for two things.

First, there has to be an opportunity or a need for a new player to break into the two-deep at a specific position.

Second, that player actually has to have the ability to accomplish this. When looking at the Scarlet Knights 2010 roster, it appears that there are several places where younger prospects will have the opportunity to accomplish this.

The first opportunity appears to be along the offensive line. After losing three starters and bringing in five offensive line recruits in 2010 to go along with the additions of Jamal Wilson and Antwan Lowery in the 2009 class, the offensive line situation seems to be one where new blood could certainly figure prominently.

Wilson came to Rutgers as a bit of a mystery and has remained one since his arrival. As is often the case with offensive linemen, Wilson needed to make strides in his physical conditioning before being able to compete for playing time. This summer offers Wilson an opportunity to show what progress he has made since losing approximately 60 pounds since his arrival. However, he may need an additional year of seasoning before becoming a viable candidate for playing time.

Redshirt freshman Antwan Lowery should see significant playing time at offensive guard in 2010 due to his powerful base and ever-growing athletic ability.

Out of the five incoming freshmen - including Jorge Vicioso, Betim Bujari, Frank Quartucci, Chris Fonti, and Hofstra transfer Matthew McBride- Vicioso may be the most likely to earn playing time during his freshmen year. This is due to the fact that the left tackle position remains wide open after the departures of Anthony Davis and Kevin Haslam.

While Bujari and Quartucci are both promising prospects who reported to Rutgers in the spring, both are likely guards on the collegiate level which is not as pressing a need for the Scarlet Knights as left tackle. Fonti is also a promising prospect, but coming into 2010 it appears that he could end up redshirting barring either extreme circumstances or very surprising performances.

Rutgers received pledges from two walk-ons in 6-foot-6, 265 pound Bryan Leoni and 6-foot-7, 315 pound Hugh Ahern. It remains to be seen if they will be able to make significant enough of a contribution to warrant playing in 2010. However, this outcome is highly unlikely.

Another opportunity for playing time appears to be available at the running back position where the coaching staff is hoping someone will be able to compete with Joe Martinek for the starting running back position.

While there are several talented backs on the Rutgers roster behind Martinek, all signs seem to be pointing towards Casey Turner emerging as a viable candidate for playing time. Turner was the Class 6A Player of the Year in the State of Florida coming out of Ed White High School. Turner reportedly has “the right stuff” to become an every-down running back to complement Mr. Martinek’s bruising running style.

After redshirting his freshman year due to injury, Paul Carrezola is likely to earn playing time at tight end where he could back up redshirt sophomore D.C. Jefferson. Carrezola has been impressive in practices and will receive even more opportunities to see the field since Tony Trahan has left the program.

Redshirt freshman Ka'Lial Glaud was a highly regarded linebacker out of Winslow Twp. (N.J.) High School, who redshirted last year due to the depth and seniority at the linebacker position. Well, some of that depth has since left.

Glaud is an impressively-built defensive leader, who runs well and could settle in nicely as a contributing addition to the 2010 linebacker core.

In addition to Glaud, the linebacker corp is even further bolstered by the addition of incoming freshman Marcus Thompson, who one teammate describes as having “freakish ability". Expect Thompson to potentially crack the two-deep at linebacker as well as contribute on special teams throughout his freshman campaign.

Redshirt freshman and cornerback Logan Ryan is almost a shoe-in to see some action in 2010, as his spring performance was likely one of the best of all the players on the team.

Incoming freshman, Lorenzo Waters formerly of DeMatha High School (Md.) is a safety who will likely be able to contribute immediately on special teams due to his kick blocking abilities.

Two of the three incoming freshman who did not qualify to attend Rutgers in the fall were thought of as possible freshmen contributors.

Former Mainland (Fla.) High School menace, Kenneth Kirksey was expected to bring his power and explosion to the interior of the Rutgers defensive front. Unfortunately, he is not slated to set-foot on the New Brunswick campus until next spring.

Another expected contributor, Tejay Johnson formerly of Egg Harbor Township (N.J.) High School, will also have to wait until the spring to make a contribution to the Knights.

Luckily, at their positions, there are a couple other freshman who could possibly take their places until they settle in.

Although Rutgers returns plenty of experience along its defensive line, there will likely be some new faces attaining playing time in that group. Redshirt freshman Isaac Holmes impressed during spring ball and will likely see some time at the three-technique at some point during the year.

Jeremy Deering, a top athlete from Leto High School (Fla.), who reportedly will be given an opportunity to contribute from the wide receiver as well as “Wildcat” position, should ease the loss of Johnson.

Not to mention the fact that former Montgomery (N.J.) High school standout J.T. Tartacoff has been outperforming all other incoming freshman wide receivers due to receiving a head start over the summer.

If an opportunity for playing time in the return game becomes available, look for incoming freshman Jordan Thomas, of Union-Endicott (N.Y.) High School to be put under consideration.

And last but not least, Nick DeLouisa - an incoming freshman kicker from Immaculata High School (N.J.) - impressed at the NJ vs. NE All Star Classic a couple months ago and may compete with incumbent kicker San San Te for playing time within the kicking game.

The classes of 2009 and 2010 both show a lot of promise and potential. This summer marks an opportunity for many members of both classes to get their playing careers kick-started with the dawn of a new season. Throughout the summer there will be plenty of position battles and breaking news.

StateOfRutgers.com will keep you posted throughout the duration of camp.

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