Where Rutgers football ranks in preseason Big Ten poll, Scarlet Knights star earns honor
Rutgers football has been on the rise in recent seasons, and its spot in the USA TODAY Network Big Ten preseason media poll reflects that.
The Scarlet Knights were picked to finish 10th in the new-look Big Ten, which has expanded to 18 teams with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.
Rutgers last season finished 7-6, capped off with a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Miami.
It was the Scarlet Knights’ first winning season in 10 years.
Greg Schiano’s team returns the bulk of a defense that last season ranked 32nd in the country, allowing just 21.2 points per game. The Scarlet Knights also return the Big Ten’s leading rusher in Kyle Monangai.
Five of Rutgers’ upcoming Big Ten opponents (Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA and Illinois) were all slotted below the Scarlet Knights in the poll, which was released in conjunction with the start of Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis.
USA TODAY Network Big Ten Preseason Media Poll
1. Ohio State (eight first-place votes)
2. Oregon (five)
3. Michigan (tie)
3. Penn State (tie).
5. USC
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Nebraska
9. Washington
10. Rutgers
11. Maryland
12. Michigan State
13. Minnesota
14. UCLA
15. Illinois
16. Indiana
17. Northwestern
18. Purdue
Kyle Monangai earns preseason honor
The star Rutgers running back, who led the Big Ten last season with 1,262 yards on 242 carries (5.2 yards per attempt) with eight touchdowns, earned an All-Big Ten selection by the USA TODAY Network.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon*
Running back: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Running back: Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Wide receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State*
Wide receiver: Tez Johnson, Oregon
Tight end: Colston Loveland, Michigan
Offensive line: Logan Jones, Iowa
Offensive line: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Offensive line: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Offensive line: Josh Priebe, Michigan
Offensive line: Sal Wormley, Penn State
Also receiving votes: RB: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State; Donovan Edwards, Michigan; Nick Singleton, Penn State; Darius Taylor, Minnesota; WR: Evan Stewart, Oregon; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; TE: Luke Lachey, Iowa; Terrance Ferguson, Oregon; Tyler Warren, Penn State; OL: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon; Ajani Cornelius, Oregon; Jonah Monheim, USC, Matthew Bedford, Oregon; Josh Fryar, Ohio State; Connor Colby, Iowa; Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
DEFENSE
Defensive line: Mason Graham, Michigan
Defensive line: J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Defensive line: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Defensive line: Abdul Carter, Penn State
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
Linebacker: Nick Jackson, Iowa
Linebacker: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Defensive back: Will Johnson, Michigan
Defensive back: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Defensive back: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Defensive back: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
Also receiving votes
DL: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State; Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Bear Alexander, USC; Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State; LB: Jaishawn Barhman, Michigan; Xander Mueller, Northwestern, Mohamed Toure, Rutgers, Carson Bruenner, Washington; Cal Haladay, Michigan State; Kydran Jenkins, Purdue; Jaheim Thomas, Wisconsin; DB: Sebastian Castro, Iowa; Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon; Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin; Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin; Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State; Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Dragan Kesich, Minnesota
Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
All-purpose: Zachariah Branch, USC
Also receiving votes: K: Drew Stevens, Iowa; P: James Evans, Indiana. ALL-PURPOSE: Donaven McCulley, Indiana; Nick Singleton, Penn State; Braeden Wisloski, Maryland
AWARDS
Coach of the Year: Ryan Day, Ohio State
Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon*
Newcomer of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Newcomer of the Year (non-Dillon Gabriel category): Caleb Downs, Ohio State
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: Big Ten preseason poll, Kyle Monangai honors
