Rutgers football: 7 storylines entering spring camp, from QB competition to new defensive staff

When Rutgers takes the practice field for the first time in five months this week, it will look a lot different than it did at the end of the 2025 season. As the Scarlet Knights start spring camp on Friday, there will be a whole new coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball (and one change on offense ), over a dozen incoming transfers , multiple position battles (including at the most important position on the field ) and some players who were hurt longterm making their return. Here are seven storylines heading into spring camp: QB competition After putting together two of the best seasons by a quarterback in program history, Athan Kaliakmanis is off to the NFL.

Who will replace him? That will be the biggest question head coach Greg Schiano , offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca and company will have to answer this offseason. The two competitors are clear: — Redshirt sophomore AJ Surace waited in the wings behind Kaliakmanis for two years, learning Ciarrocca’s system and observing what it takes to be successful at the Big Ten level.

But he played 34 snaps and threw just nine passes across three appearances last season, so he will have to overcome his inexperience in the first true quarterback competition of his career. SUBSCRIBE TO THE RUTGERS RANT ON YOUTUBE: Watch our weekly podcast, live postgame reactions and more — Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan is similar to Kaliakmanis in multiple ways. A fellow former four-star prospect, he comes to Rutgers in hopes of winning the starting job after earning plenty of experience elsewhere.

Lonergan threw for 2,025 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions on 66. 9% passing (190-of-284) for the Eagles last year. There is no telling who will win and when the competition will be completed, but Rutgers will hope Surace and Lonergan make it a difficult decision.