124
RUTGERS FOOTBALL FORST
American honors for his performance. Vallone had 41 tackles, 9.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Senior Jonathan Freeny will likely step into the other starting role at defensive end opposite to Silvestro after spending the past three seasons as the backup to Johnson. Freeny had 32 tackles, 12.0 for loss and a team-best nine sacks.
VALLONE
highly-touted defensive lineman out of high school, Antwan Lowery made the switch to the offensive side of the ball and earned significant time this past spring as he completes the transition to offensive guard. Rutgers also welcomed three early enrollees last spring in Betim Bujari, Frank Quartucci and Hofstra transfer Matt McBride. The trio was able to workout during spring camp and should gain a boost from the early jump on learning the Scarlet Knights offense.
DEFENSE
Rutgers lost impact players at all three levels of its defense with the graduation of three-year starter on the defensive line George Johnson, starting linebackers Ryan D’Imperio and Damaso Munoz, starting AllBIG EAST corner Devin McCourty and starting safety Zaire Kitchen. Returning on the defensive line will be senior end Alex Silvestro. Since breaking into the rotation as a true freshman in 2007, Silvestro has appeared in 37 career games. He made the switch from defensive tackle to his more natural position at end, making 42 tackles, including 12.0 for loss. He also recorded two sacks, an interception and recovered four fumbles. RETURNING DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
45 52 54 57 72 87 90 91 92 94 96 97 99
Alex Silvestro Eric LeGrand Junior Solice Sorie Bayoh Isaac Holmes Fabian Ruiz Michael Larrow Justin Francis Jamil Merrell Scott Vallone Charlie Noonan Andre Civil Jonathan Freeny
6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3
260 275 240 250 277 245 252 262 250 270 274 256 250
Sr. Jr. Fr.* Sr.* Fr.* Jr.* Fr.* Jr.* Fr.* So.* Sr.* Fr.* Sr.
He will be joined on the defensive line by fellow starters Charlie Noonan and Scott Vallone. Noonan, a fifth-year senior, emerged as a standout tackle in 2009 along with Vallone who earned FWAA Freshman All-
Providing depth on the defensive line will be junior Eric LeGrand who appeared in all 13 games with 33 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles. Junior Justin Francis returned after missing the 2008 season and saw action in 12 contests at tackle. He posted 14 tackles, 5.0 for loss and 3.5 sacks, while fifth-year senior Sorie Bayoh will also be in the rotation at defensive end. RETURNING LINEBACKERS 13 40 42 49 50 51 53 56
Ka'Lial Glaud Colin McEvoy Steve Beauharnais Al-Ghaffaar Lane Antonio Lowery Manny Abreu Jim Dumont Marvin Booker
6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-2
223 215 230 220 225 245 222 220
So. Sr. So. Jr.* Sr. Jr.* Sr.* Jr.
Four redshirt freshmen will look to break into the two-deep at the start of the 2010 season. Andre Civil, Isaac Holmes, Jamil Merrell and Michael Larrow will each try to impress the coaching staff and make their collegiate debuts. The linebacker corps returns two starters in senior Antonio Lowery and sophomore Steve Beauharnais. Lowery started eight contests in 2009, while Beauharnais made four starts, including the final three games. Lowery is the team’s leading returning tackler with 55 stops. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. Beauharnais emerged as the season progressed and finished with 36 tackles, 7.0 for loss and 5.0 sacks.