Rutgers football vs. Howard scouting report, prediction as Scarlet Knights begin 2024 season

PISCATAWAY – Greg Schiano knows what the expectations are on the outside. He hears what people are saying about Rutgers football following last season’s breakthrough campaign. He understands why that fueled those higher expectations.

But Schiano also knows there are too many variables to predict how exactly the Scarlet Knights’ 2024 season will go.

“I don't ever get into that game,” Schiano said on Monday. “It's fun for media and fans, I understand why you do it. What else are you going to do while you're waiting? Well I've got a job to do all week that pertains to that score and win you're talking about. I don't get caught up in that.”

Still, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this Rutgers football season, which will begin Thursday against Howard (6 p.m., Big Ten Network) at SHI Stadium.

The Bison last season finished 6-6, including a close three-point loss to Northwestern last October.

“They are experienced coaches,” Schiano said. “So it's a very well-coached team. They really challenge us schematically and they have some really good players.”

Howard players to watch

Jarett Hunter, RB

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Virginia native rushed for 626 yards last season on 142 carries (4.4 yards per attempt) with nine touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 257 yards with two touchdowns, so he’s a versatile offensive threat. Hunter was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year last month, and was also named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List and the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.

Kenny Gallop Jr., DB

After watching Gallop on film, Schiano on Monday said he believed the safety “can play anywhere. Really, really fine player.” The 6-foot, 214-pound Gallop Jr. played in nine games last year, finishing with 59 tackles (four for loss) with 1½ sacks, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Gallop Jr. is entering his fourth season with the Bison.

Eden James, RB

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound James forms a solid 1-2 punch with Hunter. James rushed for 627 yards on 111 carries with two touchdowns in 2023. He also caught 13 passes for 169 yards with one score. His father, Edgerrin James, played at Miami and was drafted fourth overall by Indianapolis in 1999. He went on to have an 11-year career with the Colts, Cardinals and Seahawks and was a four-time Pro Bowler.

Rutgers football players to watch

Kenny Fletcher, TE

Fletcher switched from defensive end to tight end ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl, and he said earlier in training camp that he was feeling comfortable with the change. Having a productive tight end in the passing game would be a boon for Rutgers' offense and something it hasn't had much of in recent seasons. A former receiver at Delran High School, Fletcher has that ability.

Dymere Miller, WR

Rutgers brought in the Monmouth transfer in the offseason, adding a dynamic, speedy weapon to Dave Brock's unit. Miller broke multiple records at the FCS level but now has a big chance to prove himself in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights need Miller to be a big-play threat.

Dariel Djabome, LB

The Quebec native is entering his third season with Rutgers and he could be in for a big opportunity with Toure definitely out and Powell also potentially out. Djabome has shown some good things in the opportunities he’s gotten and he said recently that experience has gone a long way with his confidence on the field.

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Questions facing Rutgers football vs. Howard

1. Who’s available?

Schiano on Monday said the Scarlet Knights were banged up after a tough training camp. The only known injury at this point was to star linebacker Mohamed Toure, who will be out for the season with a torn ACL in a brutal blow for the defense.

Linebacker Tyreem Powell’s status is also uncertain as he’s recovering from a torn Achilles. Schiano indicated it would be a “late” decision whether Powell can play against Howard. It remains to be see who else is out, but Schiano said there were some injuries along the offensive line.

Schiano also said that some younger players who haven’t played too much in the past are going to see playing time against the Bison.

It’s a big opportunity for them to step up and make an impression.

2. How will the offense look?

This is going to be a major focus for obvious reasons. Rutgers brought in Minnesota transfer quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to reunite with OC Kirk Ciarrocca and the Scarlet Knights are confident in what Kaliakmanis can do – a big reason why he won the starting job over Gavin Wimsatt was because of the accuracy he showed in the spring, an issue Wimsatt struggled with. Rutgers needs to be more productive. It needs to have a more formidable passing attack. The Scarlet Knights can clearly run the ball with Kyle Monangai back and a bevy of talented backs behind him on the depth chart. But too often last season teams were able to stack the box because of Rutgers’ inability to generate passing yardage.

The Scarlet Knights are going to face much tougher defenses than Howard’s when they begin Big Ten play, but Thursday will still offer a chance to see just how much more productive the offense can be. Rutgers has a new quarterback and a talented group of receivers. It needs to capitalize on all of that.

3. Who will be the starting right tackle?

There weren’t many position battles entering training camp – a luxury that Rutgers is enjoying with so many returning players. But one question mark is at right tackle, where the Scarlet Knights returned Tyler Needham but also brought in Ohio transfer Shedrick Rhodes Jr. to compete for the job. Needham started the first two games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. Schiano said earlier in camp that the starting offensive line was pretty much set, but didn’t detail who exactly the five would be.

Prediction

Rutgers might be banged up after a tough training camp but the Scarlet Knights still should get by Howard pretty easily. Rutgers 42, Howard 7

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football vs Howard prediction, preview, scouting report