Here's what Rutgers football's offensive line has for the first time in a while
When Reggie Sutton returned to the field this season 738 days after suffering a serious knee injury, it represented a remarkable victory for the Rutgers football offensive lineman.
Even more remarkable?
Sutton ultimately started the final seven games of the season, including the Pinstripe Bowl, at right tackle, helping to stabilize the Scarlet Knights’ O-line.
So Sutton’s announcement Sunday that he’s returning in 2024 for his final season of eligibility was a boon for Pat Flaherty’s offensive line, which took strides in 2023 and returns four of its five starters next season.
The unit has plenty of room for growth, but a path toward progress has been established.
Sutton, who was Rutgers’ most versatile and most consistent lineman when he suffered that knee injury during a practice early in the 2021 season, helps bolster the experience and depth of the unit.
Hollin Pierce, who started all 13 games at left tackle and has NFL potential, previously announced he’s coming back next season, while guard Bryan Felter and center Gus Zilinskas also return. Tyler Needham, who started the first two games but suffered an injury against Temple that held him out the remainder of the season, will also be back healthy.
Needham and Sutton have the ability to play at the guard spots, also.
Rutgers football offensive line's improvement in 2023
For a unit that Rutgers was essentially building on the fly during the first three seasons of Greg Schiano’s second stint in Piscataway, including moving players over from defense mid-season at times just to build depth, the Scarlet Knights’ offensive line finally has some stability.
And the positive results were clear – the unit blocked for running back Kyle Monangai, who became Rutgers’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2012.
“The kids just kept working and working, and our run schemes, it's not a deal where you memorize who you're blocking,” offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca said in the days leading up to the Pinstripe Bowl. “You've got to understand the concepts and what the reactions are to the defense. And I think when people first learn anything, they memorize it first, and then they start to understand it, and then they master it. Those guys definitely went from memorizing to understanding it, and that will help them play better. Now hopefully as we move forward they're going to be working on mastering it, which will allow them to play even a little bit better.”
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Ciarrocca praised the job Flaherty did developing the unit.
Building up depth
Rutgers has younger depth on the O-line, including Kobe Asamoah, who made five starts at right guard this season, Taj White and Emir Stinette.
The Scarlet Knights also brought in more offensive linemen as part of their 2024 recruiting class, including 6-foot-6, 322-pound Raynor Andrews, 6-foot-4, 300-pound Delran product Kenny Jones (who boasts a 7-foot wingspan and elite athleticism for the position) and 6-foot-7, 283-pound Wisconsin native Carter Kadow, a converted tight end.
And it still remains to be seen whether Rutgers brings in another lineman from the transfer portal.
Regardless, Rutgers’ offensive line made considerable improvement in 2023. It still needs to make more heading into next season, something another offseason of development should help with.
Sutton’s return was significant for a unit that has stability that once seemed elusive.
“I give them a lot of credit because they were kind of a group that was – the perception of that group maybe when I got here wasn't the greatest, and they've battled through adversity,” Ciarrocca said. “Every time they've been knocked down, they were able to get back up again and keep learning.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: Offensive line outlook with return of Reggie Sutton
