Rutgers 2013 Season Preview: Wide Receivers

Rutgers has a very rich recent history of producing quality wide receivers. Every receiver that moves on from Rutgers seems to catch on with an NFL team, and that even includes the ones who transfer out. The Scarlet Knights have traditionally preferred big receivers in their pro style of offense and this year’s crop of receivers fit that mold, and is a very exciting bunch. This group underachieved to a certain degree last year, but I think they will improve a lot this season. There are big play threats, reliable possession receivers, and some exciting freshman. This is a well-rounded group, and they should provide plenty of options for Gary Nova.

When you look at Rutgers roster, it’s easy to see who their very best player is. That would be red shirt junior wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who projects as a first round pick in this upcoming April’s draft. Coleman has drawn Plaxico Burress comparisons on the field, since he is a huge target on the outside who can outrun corners as a dangerous deep threat. Despite his tremendous size, Coleman is a true burner, and he is explosive with the ball in his hands as well. On top of all that, he can go up and get the ball with the best of them, and can provide some physicality. A staggering 23% of his catches went for touchdowns a year ago, and he will be the offense’s go to weapon. The biggest question about him will be his health (he is coming off knee surgery), but all indications are he’s ready to go. If they throw enough passes his way, he very well could earn All American honors.

One dimension Rutgers really lacked on offense last season was a reliable possession receiver who can work the middle and make the tough catches on third down. Mohamed Sanu’s early departure obviously played a huge role in that, but they appear to finally have a receiver who can do the things Sanu did ready to play. Red shirt freshman Leonte Carroo will be that guy, after a monster training camp. Carro played with Gary Nova in high school, so they have a natural connection, and he is a big bodied receiver with great hands and toughness over the middle.

Qurron Pratt seemed poised to step into that Sanu type role last year after a solid 2011 campaign, but he never really stepped up and was relegated to being the team’s fourth receiver. This year, he will have another opportunity to take on this possession receiver role, as the team’s third receiver. He has good hands and can find holes in the defense and get open over the middle.

Red shirt freshman Ruhon Pehlee will see a lot of time as well, as the team’s forth receiver. He is a much smaller receiver than Rutgers’ other receivers, but he is as explosive as they come, and he could be a big play target out of the slot.

At tight end, the Knights return Paul Carrezola, who has seen a lot of action as the team’s second tight end the past few years. He has not been much of a receiver, but he has been a pretty solid blocker, and he may catch more passes now that he doesn’t have to play fullback. The team’s second tight end will be Tyler Kroft. Kroft is on the smaller end of the size spectrum at the position, but he is a movable H-back type who has soft hands and can stretch the seam.

Carlton Agudossi is a huge target with some serious speed, and he seemed to have a chance of earning playing time early in camp, but he has yet to return from a hamstring injury he suffered during training camp. True freshman Janarion Grant is a smaller receiver, but he is as explosive as they come and should contribute right away as a kick returner. Andre Patton is a true freshman in the big, speedy mold that Rutgers prefers, and he and future slot receiver John Tsimis will redshirt.

Backing up the two tight ends are freshman Nick Ardiacono and Taylor Marini. Both player could see action this year, and they are both strong in-line blockers who will need a lot of work to become threats as receivers.

Junior wide receiver Miles Shuler decided to transfer from the school prior to the team’s Fresno State game week preparation. Shuler is a good kid and this is a very amicable split, but he saw the writing on the wall and decided to leave. He isn’t the kind of big receiver the Knights like and he was buried on the depth chart. It was a shame they never red shirted him or tried him out at defensive back. Early signs point to him transferring to California to play in Sunny Dykes’ air raid offense.

Rutgers proud tradition at receiver should continue this year, with their talented stable of receivers. Coleman may go down as the best receiver Rutgers has ever had, Carroo and Pratt provide solid possession options, and Pehlee and Grant provide plenty of game breaking explosiveness. Rutgers won’t be a pass first team this year, but they have plenty of weapons to attack defenses with when they do go to the air.