The Rutgers Scarlet Knights haven’t historically been a Big Ten powerhouse, but they’ve enjoyed modest success in Greg Schiano’s two tenures with the university. This season, the Scarlet Knights have the talent to surprise some teams, led by an All-Conference running back.
Who are the top returning players for Rutgers?
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Top Returning Players
10) Athan Kaliakmanis, QB
Athan Kaliakmanis comes over from Minnesota, where he was solid but unspectacular. There’s a sense here that he could unlock a next level of sorts and give Rutgers an ability to push the ball down the field that the Scarlet Knights haven’t had in a few years.
Kaliakmanis should, at worst, be a competent, smart passer.
9) Wesley Bailey, Edge
Wesley Bailey finished second on the team last year with four sacks and 25 pressures. He provides a good complement to the rest of the pass-rushers on this defense.
Bailey could improve a bit in the running game, as he struggled some to set the edge last season, but the pass-rushing upside is exciting.
8) Dymere Miller, WR
The Scarlet Knights won’t air it out as much as other teams, but when they do, look for Dymere Miller to be the primary contributor at the receiver position.
Miller was a superstar at FCS Monmouth, setting single-season records for catches, yards, and 100-yard games. He had a 333-yard game last year against a solid New Hampshire team.
7) Bryan Felter, OG
A fifth-year senior, Bryan Felter didn’t start last year as the starter but took over at guard by the midway point in the season.
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Felter has nearly 1,300 snaps under his belt and returns to give Rutgers some much-needed experience on the offensive line on a team that loves to trust their big boys.
6) Shaquan Loyal, S
Shaquan Loyal was a fantastic tackler for Rutgers last season, missing just six tackles in over 75 opportunities.
Loyal rarely allowed anything after the catch, and he was productive in creating turnovers, with two interceptions and a forced fumble last season. He was a Swiss Army Knife in the secondary as he was deployed in several spots, and he added more stability to the back of a solid defense.
5) Flip Dixon, S
Flip Dixon was equally solid in coverage and as a run defender last year, finishing with six pass breakups and 19 run stops for the Scarlet Knights.
Dixon was the leader of the secondary last season, which gives Rutgers a highly-productive returner at every level of the defense.
4) Hollis Pierce, OT
Despite playing the position that statistically gives up the most pressures on offense, Hollis Pierce gave up just 10 all season last year at left tackle.
Pierce was dominant in the running game, and his mammoth 6’8″, 345-pound frame is tough to beat on the outside for edge rushers.
3) Mohamed Toure, LB
Mohamed Toure had a bunch of tackles for the Scarlet Knights last year but also finished second on the team in pressures and first with six sacks.
Toure is all around the ball, as he added a forced fumble and interception last season. If he takes a step forward in coverage, he’s a potential All-Big Ten linebacker.
2) Aaron Lewis, Edge
Aaron Lewis is a borderline elite pass-rusher for the Scarlet Knights. He had 37 pressures last season but only converted four of those into sacks, but that could change in 2023.
Lewis was an excellent tackler, missing only four stops all season, and he’s a candidate to take a step forward from a statistics standpoint in 2024.
1) Kyle Monangai, RB
The top player on this list is my early favorite for the All-Big Ten First Team. Schiano wants to be a defense-first, power-running team, and you can’t do that without a power runner.
Kyle Monangai ran for over 1,200 yards last year, including nearly 900 after contact, with eight touchdowns and no fumbles, breaking a slew of tackles in the process.
If Monangai is close to his 2023 form, Rutgers will be one of the most frustrating teams to face in the Big Ten.
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