Rutgers will welcome the latest batch of Scarlet Knights on Wednesday, as many of the program’s 2023 recruitment classes will sign letters of intent to turn verbal promises into binding decisions.
Still in rebuilding mode, Rutgers needs more talent and depth in their program. We need to increase the number of players who can create a winning trajectory.
It remains to be seen how much the newest member of the team will contribute in 2023. Early registrants can jumpstart their development by joining Scarlett his Knights in time for winter conditioning and spring practice. Either way, incoming freshmen must play an important role in the future of the program.
Despite a disappointing 4-8 record for the Rutgers last season, there were some bright spots.
Here are some of the most memorable players for 2022.
Sam Browne, running back
Brown’s appearance was one of the biggest revelations of Rutgers’ season. A true first-grader from Philadelphia, the 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound Brown quickly showed that he could run strong, break through defenses, and make it difficult for defenders to take him down. .
Brown appeared in seven games and increased his carries as the season progressed. It culminated in his 101-yard performance and a go-ahead touchdown in the Scarlet Knights’ victory over Indiana. This is the only Big Ten win of the season.
That ended up being Brown’s last game of the season, as he suffered an injury that required surgery late in the game.
Still, Brown was a bright spot for an offense that struggled for most of the season. He showed that he could be a legitimate weapon in the future.
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Tyreem Powell, linebacker
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound sophomore from Vineland played a bigger role this season when Rutgers’ depth at linebacker was thin.
Powell replied.
He recorded 3 sacks and 4 pass breakups for 71 tackles (six losses) in 12 games. Powell said he was getting more and more comfortable on defense during the season, and the results were clear.
Powell also benefited from working with Sports Performance Director Jay Butler.
Rutgers’ defense will be the team’s strength in 2022, and Powell’s progress has been a key part of that.
Aaron Lewis, defensive end
At 6-foot-5 and weighing 250 pounds, the Williamstown native is another defensive staple, amassing 55 tackles (8 in a loss) with 1.5 sacks and forced fumbles. rice field.
Lewis was a full-time starter after splitting Rep with Mike Toberdoff in 2021.
A Michigan state transfer, Lewis consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He played with high energy and was an absolute force in Rutgers’ defensive line. It will be interesting to see how Lewis’ growth continues.
Rashad Rochelle, running back/wide receiver
A true freshman last season, Rochelle’s role was relatively limited. He played quarterback at Springfield High School in Illinois before entering the program as a wide receiver, but began getting snaps later in the season as a running back.
At 5 feet 11 inches and 170 pounds, Rochelle was speed when she got the chance. It’s likely he’ll return to that position in 2023, as his wide-receiver depth has dwindled.
Regardless, Rochelle’s versatility could be another weapon for Rutgers’ offensive coordinator to deploy.
Wesley Bailey, defensive end
Bailey is another young player who was stepping into a bigger role. The Ontario native has started all 12 of his games, leading the team with 3.5 sacks and 3 fumbles.
Like Lewis, Bailey also put consistent pressure on quarterbacks and always caused turmoil.
Bailey’s performance was a big reason why the defensive line became a strength for the Scarlet Knights.
Desmond Igvinothan, defensive back
The 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound Igvinosan has appeared in seven games in 2021, but he has attracted enough attention for his play in the Gator Bowl.
It provided a preview of what was to come.
Igvinosan appeared in 10 games (9 starts) last season, collecting 4 pass breaks and 1 forced fumble in 55 tackles (3 losses).
He played a major role in Rutgers’ secondary. He will have to continue next season, especially since Christian Igien has declared himself in the NFL Draft.
Defensive lineman Kyonte Hamilton
In his second season with the Rutgers, Hamilton finished 2022 with 24 tackles per sack (3 losses).
Last season, the 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound Maryland native, whom Schiano called “a rising star,” took a big step forward in his development.
Hamilton also played for Rutgers last year, but chose not to return to the team this season, choosing to focus on football instead.
Going into the 2023 season, it will be interesting to see how dedicating a full off-season solely to football will affect Hamilton.
“I think it will be a big advantage,” Schiano said in November. “Now he’s come over and he’s got lifts and stuff. But that’s not the way. Physically your body is limited in what you can do. Wrestling is so tough. He wrestles in the room.” And then I tried to lift weights.Your body can only do so many things.I think you’ll get bigger.”