Rutgers football training camp preview: 5 X-factors for Scarlet Knights in 2023

There is no question who the most important players on Rutgers’ roster are.
The chances of success for the Scarlet Knights begin and end with Gavin Wimsatt, who was publicly named the starting quarterback by head coach Greg Schiano last week. The redshirt sophomore’s ability to excel in first-year offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca’s system will determine the trajectory of the season, as will the play of other star players like defensive end Aaron Lewis, running back Samuel Brown, cornerback Max Melton and offensive tackle Hollin Pierce.
But while that group will determine the floor for the season, there are other players who can help them raise the ceiling for Rutgers’ 2023 campaign.
Here are five potential Scarlet Knight x-factors to look out for:
Mohamed Toure
Arguably the best pass-rusher on the roster, Toure missed the entire 2022 campaign after tearing his ACL during the prior spring. Can he bounce back from the major injury and return to his previous form? Toure led the Scarlet Knights in sacks for two consecutive seasons prior to last fall, so it is a high bar for success. But if he can match the 4.5 sacks he averaged during those two campaigns, it will go a long way in helping Rutgers’ potential-laden defense surpass expectations.
Wide receiver transfers
Yes, it is a cop-out to group two players, but the reality is that Rutgers needs both weapons it picked up through the portal to meet expectations in order to have a decent offense. The Scarlet Knights lost their top three receivers to graduation last season, giving Division II All-American Jaquae Jackson (California University of Pennsylvania) and FCS All-American Naseim Brantley (Western Illinois) plenty of reps to earn during training camp.
Rutgers does not need the pair to become the second-coming of Leonte Carroo, the last Scarlet Knights receiver to surpass 700 yards and seven touchdowns in a season (2015), but Schiano’s squad needs someone to emerge as a reliable pass-catcher for Wimsatt. Those two portal coups are their best bet.
Johnny Langan
The former quarterback and current Swiss Army Knife fully transitioned to tight end last year, but he had not been able to fully embrace the transition throughout that time. He revealed at Big Ten Media Days last week that an injury last summer hampered his preparation. After a full spring camp and offseason of training at tight end, he feels better than ever at his new position, saying “all those compound reps will really help me.”
As will the addition of Maine transfer Shawn Bowman and the return of teammate Victor Konopka from a season-ending injury. With more depth at the position, Langan could have more opportunities in the pass game, giving Wimsatt another weapon to work with. Anything that adds beyond the 296 yards and one touchdown on 31 catches he collected last year would be a boost for the Scarlet Knights.
Shaquan Loyal
Impactful safety Christian Izien headed off to the NFL this offseason, leaving a hole on the backend of the defense. Loyal seems like a strong candidate to fill it, and given the glimpses he showed last season (27 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one interception), he could make just as big an impact as Izien did.
Flynn Appleby
The Australian is replacing his legendary compatriot Adam Korsak, who spent the past five season cementing himself as the greatest punter in program history. Korsak was a legitimate weapon for the Scarlet Knights, pinning opponents deep to help win the field position battle and put their defense in optimal positions.
Nobody expects Appleby to win the Ray Guy Award in his first season of college football, but can the Australian come close to Korsak’s success? He understands that is his objective.
“I think it was part of the recruiting process looking for someone that sort of had similar attributes to Adam and we’re pretty similar in style – the skill set and that sort of stuff,” Appleby said during the spring. “Everybody’s got their own little different aspects of their technique and so it’s just understanding that and trusting it ... It’s been a great process to learn all that.”