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Rutgers football: Assessing the Knights’ 2018 quarterback options

By Luke Feliciano

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot runs onto the field before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot runs onto the field before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 30, 2017 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State won 56-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Rutgers football has a big decision on the horizon in naming its next starting quarterback. Will it be someone on the roster or a highly-touted freshman?

When it comes to Rutgers football in recent years, quarterbacks haven’t been the cornerstone of the offense and have left much to be desired. While running backs scored a combined 13 rushing touchdowns in 2017, quarterbacks threw for only seven touchdowns. Quarterbacks also threw more interceptions (11) as a unit than touchdowns.

The Scarlet Knights had to employ three different quarterbacks to go under center–Kyle Bolin, Giovanni Rescigno and Johnathan Lewis. The latter two will be returning to the team in the upcoming season.

Last season, Rutgers had major problems in the passing game. None of the three quarterbacks that played even eclipsed the 1,000-yard passing mark and all three were also unreliable when it came to completion percentage.

If the Rutgers offense wants to make an about-face in 2018, it will have to build around a productive quarterback. As a result of the ineffective play out of the quarterback position last year, there will be a certain degree of instability heading into the new season.

This summer has the makings of a wide-open competition for the No. 1 quarterback spot on the depth chart. Rescigno and Lewis return from last year’s roster, but they will be challenged by Artur Sitkowski, an ambitious freshman.

Originally, Tom Flacco was set to be part of the quarterback race but in early June, it was reported that he intended to leave Rutgers as a graduate transfer and will now play for Towson.

Here is a breakdown of the three prime candidates in the quarterback battle and what each of these slingers adds to the offense.

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