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Around this time last year, so much of the news surrounding Rutgers football’s defense centered on the number of stars and high-impact contributors announcing they’d return for 2024.
Each announcement was a major boon for a unit that looked poised to be the team’s strength under a highly regarded coordinator.
But each return meant there would be another hole to fill before the 2025 season – something Greg Schiano and the coaching staff have expeditiously addressed in recent weeks.
While Rutgers still needs a new coordinator to replace Joe Harasymiak, the Scarlet Knights have bolstered their defense with seven transfer portal additions, reshaping and revamping a unit that has improvements to make for the 2025 season.
Rutgers added a solid mix of experience and production to the unit – especially along the defensive line – to fill areas of need. The Scarlet Knights have still have several impact players returning, including linebacker and leading tackler Dariel Djabome, as well as Mohamed Toure, who’s coming back after missing this past season with a torn ACL.
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Schiano and his coaching staff want to be judicious with the transfer portal, only bringing in players they believe are good fits.
That requires extensive legwork.
“We do an extensive dive on each player,” Schiano said in Arizona in the days leading up to the Rate Bowl. “When you have as many staff members as we do, somebody usually knows somebody at that school. And somebody knows their high school coach, and somebody knows somebody in their community. How do you know if he’s a cultural fit unless you do a deep dive on him? I don’t know any other way….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-football-transfer-portal-scarlet-090610828.html
Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press
Publish date : 2025-01-23 09:06:00
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