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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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(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Johnathan Lewis

Johnathan Lewis never started a game last season, but he burned a possible redshirt season when he made seven game appearances. He wasn’t exactly the best option either as he threw double the amount of interceptions as he did touchdown passes (four interceptions, two touchdown passes).

He was also the most erratic quarterback of the bunch in regards to completion percentage–in 2017, he completed a mind-boggling 37 percent of his passes. Granted, Lewis was a freshman at the time and has plenty of time to develop, and being thrown into the fire against top Big Ten teams isn’t an easy situation to be put in.

Lewis, known to be a dual-threat option, was much more productive on the ground than he was through the air. Out of all the quarterbacks battling for the No. 1 spot, he is the most dynamic because of his running ability. In 2017, he ran the ball 36 times for 111 yards and four touchdowns. That’s twice the amount of touchdowns he had by passing the ball.

Following his freshman season, Lewis benefitted from taking part in his first ever spring practices. In a video put out on Youtube, he told the media about the key things he has to work on:

  1. His leadership (he said he was laid back at times last year)
  2. His patience (staying in the pocket)
  3. His accuracy (he said he’s using visual keys on his targets)

Much like Rescigno, Lewis has a solid frame for a college quarterback. He is 6-foot-3 and a little bigger than Rescigno at 240 pounds. What will separate him from the rest of the pack is how he adds a run element to his game.

Given his noticeably low completion percentage rate, he will have to improve that aspect of his game if he wants the starting job come 2018.

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