Rutgers Football: 2024 Scarlet Knights Season Preview and Prediction
Rutgers brings back a majority of the key players from its breakout season last fall, has replaced the few that have departed and projects to upgrade at its weakest position (quarterback). The Scarlet Knights seem set to have another big year and take another step forward as head coach Greg Schiano’s second stint rolls on.
ORDER NOW: Athlon Sports 2024 College Football Preview Guide
Rutgers 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Rutgers' Offense for 2024
Rutgers went run-heavy in Kirk Ciarrocca’s first year back as offensive coordinator, carrying the ball on 61.9 percent of its offensive plays (eighth nationally). The Scarlet Knights rode running back Kyle Monangai, who led the Big Ten in rushing and became the first 1,000-yard rusher for the program in 11 years, while starting quarterback Gavin Wimsatt did just enough to help the Scarlet Knights reach (and win) their first bowl game in nine years.
A similar playbook projects to play out this fall, but there could be different players executing it. Wimsatt has transferred and will be replaced by Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis, with the goal being improved play at the position. Along with three starters on the offensive line, Monangai is back and expected to carry the load once again, but an upgraded wide receiving corps — which returns starter Christian Dremel and adds FCS transfers Dymere Miller (Monmouth) and Naseim Brantley (Western Illinois) plus a handful of second-year players with breakout potential — should help.
RB Kyle Monangai led the Big Ten with 1,262 rushing yards last season. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing Rutgers' Defense for 2024
Coordinator Joe Harasymiak’s unit, which ranked in the top 50 nationally in total (16th), scoring (32nd), rushing (41st) and passing (10th) defense, helped lead Rutgers to its most successful season in a decade. With six senior starters and multiple key contributors returning, the unit has a chance to become one of the best defenses in the Big Ten.
One of the few question marks comes at cornerback, where standout Max Melton heads to the NFL. Veteran Robert Longerbeam will step up to the top spot at the position, while Eric Rogers and Bo Mascoe will fight for the second starting spot.
At defensive tackle, a position that lost Mayan Ahanotu to graduation, Rutgers hopes Florida State product Malcolm Ray could be the latest in a line of transfers who have thrived at the position.
Coach Greg Schiano's defense allowed only 21.2 points a game last season. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Previewing Rutgers' Specialists for 2024
Rutgers lost its starting long snapper and punter to retirement, but BYU transfer Austin Riggs should be an upgrade at the former position, and the Scarlet Knights have already identified a replacement at the latter. Starting kicker Jai Patel, who is coming off the most accurate field-goal kicking season in program history (15-for-18), returns.
National Ranking: 41
athlon-college-football-preview-magazine-2024