Scouting Rutgers: Defense

Khaseem Greene leads the Rutgers defense.

Time to look at the Knights defense. They run out of the 4-3 set, allowing their skilled linebackers to control the middle while the secondary stops the passing game. Let's see who the Bulls will be facing in this game (going to be a challenge without Griffin).

Defensive Line

Starting at defensive end is sophomore Michael Larrow (6-4 265-pounds). He has 10 tackles on the season including 1.5 sacks on the season. Senior Manny Abreau (6-3 260-pounds) has 17 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the season. Junior Ka Lial Glaud (6-2 230-pounds) is the other starting defensive end. He has 14 tackles on the season including 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Sophomore Marcus Thompson (6-2 260-pounds) has 12 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and half sack. They are a solid unit of ends and will pressure the tackles and look to contain Daniels all day.

Junior Scott Valllone (6-3 275-pounds) is the starter at defensive tackle. He has 31 tackles on the season including 6 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His back-up is sophomore Isaac Holmes (6-3 272-pounds). He has 6 tackles and one sack so far. Junior Justin Francis (6-4 275-pounds) is the other starter. He has 37 tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss (wow), 4.5 sacks, and even has an interception. His back-up is freshman Kenneth Kirksey (6-1 270-pounds) who has 6 tackles including a tackle for loss. Both tackles are very athletic and get after the ball well, causing trouble in both the run game and in the passing game as well. This will be a challenge for the offensive line here.

Linebackers

Sophomore Jamal Merrell (6-4 220-pounds) is one the starting linebackers. He has 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles, and a half sack on the season. His back-up is freshman Keoin Snyder (6-3 225-pounds) who has 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and a half sack. Junior Khassem Greene (6-1 220-pounds) is the starting middle linebacker. He leads the team with 75 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. USF will have to account for him on every play. His back-up is senior Edmond Laryea (6-2 223-pounds) who has 5 tackles and one tackle for loss. Junior Steve Beauharnais (6-2 235-pounds) is the other outside linebacker. He has 41 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. His back-up is freshman David Milewski (6-4 231-pounds) who has one sack on the season.

Secondary

Sophomore Logan Ryan (6-0 190-pounds) is one of the starting cornerbacks. He has 38 tackles on the season including 2 tackles for loss and 2 intereceptions. His back-up is junior Marcus Cooper (6-2 187-pounds) who has 21 tackles on the season (a lot of tackles for a secondary player). The other starting corner is junior Brandon Jones (6-1 186-pounds) who has 20 tackles on the season including 2 tackles for loss (one sack). His back-up is freshman Gareef Glashen (5-10 181-poundS) who has 2 tackles.

Junior Duron Harmon (6-1 201-pounds) is the starting safety. He has 29 tackles and 4 interceptions. His back-up is freshman Lorenzo Waters (6-0 195-pounds) who has 6 tackles on the season. The other starting safety is junior David Rowe (6-0 195-pounds) who has 32 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 3 interceptions. Both starting safeties get after the ball and without Griffin, the passing game will struggle with these two. His back-up is junior Wayne Warren (6-1 205-pounds) who has 18 tackles, 2 sacks, and one interception.