2012 OUTLOOK
JEFFERSON
Lowery and David Osei bring experience back into the trenches for RU’s 2012 campaign. In total, the five Scarlet Knights have made 37 career starts on the offensive line. Last season, Johnson earned recognition on the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America team. As a true freshman in 2011, he started 11 games for Rutgers at right tackle. Former Maryland three-year starter R.J. Dill and sophomore Taj Alexander look to secure starting spots at right tackle and right guard, respectively. The 6-7 offensive tackle transfer with 30 career starts adds additional experience to Rutgers’ big blockers. Alexander, who moved from defensive line to offensive line last season, performed well this spring upfront for the Scarlet Knights. Rounding out the group of linemen competing for playing time are junior Matt McBride, senior Devon Watkis and a decorated group of incoming freshmen.
Rutgers returns two high-profile sophomore running backs from last season in Jawan Jamison and Savon Huggins. Jamison rushed for 897 yards and nine touchdowns on 231 carries in his first year of action after an initial redshirt season. Huggins was the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with RU when he joined the Scarlet Knights in 2011. The true freshman rushed for 146 yards on 56 carries last season.
The attacking style taught by Brock has benefited a number of individuals in the NFL, including Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants), Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) and Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints). While at Kansas State in 2008, Brock served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. The Wildcats ranked 18th nationally in passing (269.6) and 19th in scoring offense (34.9).
JOHNSON
Bolstering the run game is sophomore fullback Michael Burton, who started three games in his first Rutgers campaign. Fellow classmate Sam Bergen emerged in the spring to back up the position, along with redshirt freshman Paul Canevari. The tight end position returns experience from the 2011 squad in seniors D.C. Jefferson and Paul Carrezola. Jefferson started nine games for RU last season, making 12 catches for 118 yards. Carrezola found the end zone with an 11-yard scoring grab in a 38-26 victory over Ohio on Sept. 24, 2011. He finished with four catches for 35 yards in 2011. Backing up the tight end position are senior Beau Bachety, junior Malcolm Bush and redshirt freshman Tyler Kroft. The trio showed promise during RU’s spring practice sessions, routinely making catches. The Rutgers offensive line, a group overseen by Flood in his time as an assistant coach for the Scarlet Knights, returns five players who started at least three games in 2011. Betim Bujari, Andre Civil, Kaleb Johnson, Antwan
Other fresh offensive coaching faces “On the Banks” include: Darnell Dinkins (tight ends), Rob Spence (quarterbacks), Norries Wilson (running backs) and Damian Wroblewski (offensive line).
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