26. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Returning Starters: 16 Returning Star: LB Khaseem Greene Key Loss: WR Mohamed Sanu
Player to Watch: WR Brandon Coleman
Rutgers has been a consistent contender in the Big East since the Ray Rice era. But, this team has yet to win it. It looks like in 2012, that hurdle will be climbed by these Scarlet Knights. The offense is efficient headed by back Jawan Jamison. Jamison is fast with great vision and could have a breakout sophomore season. Also back to bolster the backfield is another sophomore, Savon Huggins. Huggins is also fast and agile. The Scarlet Knights haven't had a strong quarterback since Mike Teel and I don't think sophomore Gary Nova will change that. At least, not this season. Nova has good vision and is pretty accurate but he has been prone to making bad decisions. Junior Chas Dodd could make a run at the job as he has more experience than Nova. Any way you look at it, Rutgers lost a true talent in playmaker Mohamed Sanu who could catch, run and was a factor on special teams. Now it looks like the top receiver on these squad will be athletic sophomore Brandon Coleman who is a deep threat. Also back is senior Tim Wright who has nice big hands and tight end D.C. Jefferson who is a good blocker and can catch. The offensive line is headed by junior Andre Civil and another junior in center David Osei. This defense could be the best in Rutgers history even better than the 2006 unit. The line is very strong led by big senior tackle Scott Vallone. The rest of this line is also helped with the return of Jamil Merrell and the addition of freshman Darius Hamilton, one of the best defensive linemen coming in this season. The linebacker situation is fantastic thanks to the return of Khaseem Greene who had 141 stops in 2011. Greene is athletic and makes plays all over the field. Also back is senior Steve Beauharnais who is another tackling machine. This secondary may be the best in the conference with junior Logan Ryan returning. Ryan had a big sophomore year and has proved many times he can be a shutdown corner. Also back is senior Duron Harmon who can make big stops. The special teams is fantastic with punter Justin Doerner and junior returner Jeremy Deering.
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