Rutgers Football: 5 Knights primed for breakout season in 2018

PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: The Rutgers Scarlet Knight rides his horse 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 Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Rounding out the youthful wide receiver group is Hunter Hayek. He will be entering his sophomore season. Much like Jabbie, Hayek was only rated as a two-star recruit according to his 24/7 profile.

As a freshman last season, Hayek didn’t post incredible figures but like the aforementioned receivers on the list, he has plenty of time to develop his game. In 2017, he caught eight passes for 62 yards.

Hayek is the smallest of the wide receiver bunch at just 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but can double as a punt returner. He got time on special teams as a punt returner last year and in that position, he had four punts returns. This is a spot that he will look to stay in heading into the 2018 season.

Rutgers didn’t waste much time to throw Hayek into the fire when he was inserted during the team’s first game of the season against the No. 16 Washington Huskies.

If Hayek and the rest of the receivers can meld into a reliable source of offense, the Scarlet Knights could have a quality chance of winning more games than last season. That, of course, will also have a lot to do with who is slotted as the No. 1 quarterback.

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