Rutgers 2012 Defensive Line "Preview"

Rutgers has emphasized speed over size on defense over the years, even on their defensive line.With that philosophy in place, Rutgers has had  quick, disruptive lines that have made a bunch of plays in the backfield, but it has also caused them to get over powered at times by bigger teams. This year, the unit has more size than they have in the past, and that should help them hold up better against bigger, stronger lines, but being quick and disruptive will still be their M.O. This group has been dominant against the run and gotten a decent pass rush so far this year, and their depth has been put on display. The group has been very strong so far, and should keep up the great play going forward.

Scott Vallone moves back to his natural position as the three technique tackle, after playing nose guard a year ago to accommodate Justin Francis, who should have been an all Big East selection in 2011. Vallone is a very strong player who holds up against double teams well, while pushing the line of scrimmage backwards and keeping blockers off his linebackers. He has enough quickness to make plays himself, and he has been very disruptive so far this season. Isaac Holmes joins the starting line up as the nose tackle, and at 275 pounds, he is a bit bigger than the tackles they have had recently. Holmes has been very strong so far in the middle and him and Vallone have made a great duo, absolutely stifling the oppositions' running game. True freshman Darius Hamilton backs Vallone up, and the 5 star recruit has great technique, not just for a true freshman, but for any lineman. He is a bit undersized at the moment, but his quickness makes up for it. Al Page and Marquise Wright were pretty good recruits themselves, and the two provide a lot of beef in the middle, each weighing 280 pounds. Page has yet to play this year with an injury, and Wright has done a solid job spelling Holmes. Kenneth Kirksey and Daryl Stephenson are intriguing sophomores, but Stephenson will miss the year after suffering an injury in training camp.

The Scarlet Knights don't have one dominant pass rusher at defensive end, but they have a lot of options capable of being productive. Senior Ka'Lial Glaud has been their best pass rusher this year, recording 2 sacks so far as the "R", which is a DE/linebacker hybrid. Marcus Thompson has over taken the suspended Michael Larrow at the other end spot thanks to a strong camp, and Jamil Merrell  will see some time as a key reserve as well. Marvin Booker backs up Glaud at the R spot, and he has been a productive player when he is able to stay on the field, but he got hurt after recording a sack against Tulane in the opener and has not played since. Max Issaka is another intriguing player, but he's just getting back up to speed after missing all of camp because of a death in his family. Jawaun Wynn provides speed at the position as a converted receiver, and Myles Jackson, and Djwany Mera fill out the rest of the roster.

Rutgers landed two defensive lineman in their highly touted recruiting class, and added another true freshman DL trough transfer. Darius Hamilton headlines the entire class, and the son of former Giants defensive lineman Keith Hamilton will get some experience this year and hopefully become the star of the defense in the years to come. He is a bit undersized for defensive tackle at the moment, but some time Rutgers' lifting program should bulk him up. For now, he will get by with his quickness and amazing technique. He uses his hands so well and can disengage from blockers to make plays. Julian Pinnix-Odrick could become either an end or tackle, and he has nice size, but is a bit raw and will most likely redshirt. Jamil Pollard originally committed to Penn State, but once the NCAA sanctions were handed down there, he transferred penalty free to RU. He is a big, strong player, but he will likely redshirt this season for more refinement.

Rutgers once again has a defensive line a bit on the small side, but they have plenty of quickness to make up for it. They have stuffed the run so far this year, and their plethora of pass rushers have gotten some pressure on the quarterback. With the new freshman and plenty of depth, this is amongst the strongest units on the team.