Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights look for success in 2018

Quarterbacks

Much like other recent seasons, the Scarlet Knights enter the 2018 campaign without a definitive No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart. In 2017, the Rutgers quarterback carousel continued as three different Scarlet Knights ran the offense–Kyle Bolin, Giovanni Rescigno and Johnathan Lewis.

The quarterback position was arguably the shakiest out of the skill positions as Scarlet Knight signal-callers didn’t produce much of anything in 2017. Rutgers quarterbacks accounted for only a combined seven touchdown passes last season.

Bolin was a transfer from Louisville and won the starting job out of summer camp. He was very unimpressive and had twice as many interceptions than he did touchdown passes (three touchdowns: six interceptions).

Rescigno also failed to manufacture offense in nine games played. He completed a lackluster 47 percent of his passes and only threw for 517 yards and two touchdowns.

Rutgers went to a third option in true freshman Jonathan Lewis, who came off the bench in all of his seven appearances. He also had more interceptions than touchdown passes (two touchdowns: four interceptions) and completed just 37 percent of his passes. Lewis was much more effective running the football as he ran for four rushing touchdowns on 111 yards.

The two returning quarterbacks, Rescigno and Lewis, are joined by two newcomers, transfer Tom Flacco and freshman Artur Sitowski to compete for the starting job.

Flacco, the younger brother of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, returned to his home state of New Jersey after transferring from Western Michigan. He didn’t post fantastic numbers as a Bronco but has a great opportunity to make a name for himself as a Scarlet Knight. Flacco certainly showed some flashes of what he’s capable of in the Rutgers Spring Game, as he scampered into the end zone for a rushing touchdown. His touchdown can be seen in the above video starting at the 0:39 mark.

But perhaps Rutgers has found its new slinger in the freshman Sitkowski. After originally committing to play for Miami, he later reopened his commitment and instead joined Rutgers.

Sitkowski is a native of Old Bridge, N.J., but played high school football for the powerhouse factory of IMG Academy in Florida. In the spring game, Sitkowski proved he could be the quarterback of the future for the Scarlet Knights. He displayed his serious arm strength and deep-threat potential especially with 280 passing yards and three touchdown passes in the scrimmage, which can be seen in the video.

In a separate video put out by nj.com, McNulty didn’t necessarily dispel the idea of starting a true freshman quarterback and Sitkowski himself said this in response to the prospect of possibly being named the starting quarterback:

"“That’s the goal coming here… That’s everyone’s goal,” he said. “We’re all really good guys and we want each other to do great, and we make each other better every single day.”"

Chris Ash has indicated that a final decision won’t be made until just prior to the season-opener against Texas State on September 1. Some early speculations, however, have Sitkowski pinned as the No. 1 quarterback.