For probably just the second time in its program history, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team will enter a season with pretty high expectations. Playing in a everybody-has-a-shot-to-win-this-thing Big East Conference, the Scarlet Knights should be one of the favorites to earn the league’s crown.
How could this be for a team that lost its head coach, Greg Schiano, just weeks before National Signing Day? Well, that’s because the Scarlet Knights, led by athletic director Tim Pernetti, stayed to its scarlet roots and promoted its offensive line/assistant coach Kyle Flood to the head position.
The result led to probably the best recruiting class Rutgers has ever assembled. With the newly infused talent, led by five-star defensive end Darius Hamilton and sophomore running back Savon Huggins, who’s expected to have a bounce-back season as he recovers from an injured plague freshman season, the Scarlet Knights’ should get a young-talent boost.
Meanwhile, Rutgers’ returners, led by Co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Khaseem Greene, defensive tackle Scott Vallone, quarterbacks junior Chas Dodd and sophomore Gary Nova and wide receiver Mark Harrison, should give the Scarlet Knights enough leadership to sustain some consistency.
At the Big East media day, Greene, Harrison, Vallone and safety Duron Harmon will be the team’s representatives. The biggest question all four will face is about the squad’s quarterback situation, which will feature a two former starters, Dodd and Nova, battling for the team’s top spot.
For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Rutgers football program visit the SB Nation blog On The Banks, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.