PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football coaches Greg Schiano and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca are on the cusp of making a crucial decision: who will be the starting quarterback for the team's Sept. 3 opener against UMass.
Schiano and Ciarrocca have been weighing their options between AJ Surace and Dylan Lonergan, with both players having a tight battle since the spring.
The competition has been close throughout training camp, with neither Surace nor Lonergan having separated themselves until now.
Schiano stated that the Scarlet Knights have two good options and he has confidence in both of them.
They will finalize their decision after watching the scrimmage footage.
Schiano mentioned that it's not just about the quarterback decision, but also about confirming what they've been feeling about the competition.
He said, "It's not like we don't talk about it every day. Just confirm what we've been feeling. Things go with ebbs and flows. Just confirming what we both believe."
Ciarrocca has spent more time on the competition and is the expert on it, according to Schiano.
Rutgers has several spots to fill on the line, especially at center following the graduation of Gus Zilinskas.
The team has several returning starters, including Kobe Asamoah and Dantae Chin, who is coming back from an injury plagued 2025 season.
Schiano said, "I think it's finding 6, 7, 8 and 9 and possibly 10. I think we know who the five are going to be. Just got to find the guys – is there a first guard in the game, is there a first tackle in the game? If so, who."
The battle at linebacker is another spot that Schiano and defensive coordinator Travis Johansen have to iron out.
Ty Morris, Sean Allison, Moses Walker, Abe Wright, and Isaiah Deloatch have all competed for the starting two spots.
Schiano hopes that the team can have a solid rotation at linebacker to help maintain health and production over the course of a long season.
Rutgers earlier in the week dismissed defensive end Wydeek Collier-Johnson for a violation of team rules.
Schiano said the reason will not be made public.
"He's a great kid," Schiano said. "Got a lot of love for him. Hopeful that he'll land on his feet."
The decision on the starting quarterback and the lineup is expected to be made soon, with Schiano stating that it will be "soon" after watching the scrimmage footage.
Source: Yahoo Sports