Scouting RU: Defense

The Rutgers defense, running a 4-3 base set, is a strong unit that has some of the best linebackers in the league.  With 8 returning starters, it will be tough for Daniels to get the offense going and for the USF skill players to get free and make something happen.  

At the defensive end position is junior Larrow (6-4 270-pounds) who had 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2011.  Behind him is junior Marcus Thompson (6-2 260-pounds) who had 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a half sack in 2011.  He has 1 tackle this season, but he may be out for the game after limping off after their Tulane game last week.  At the other end position is senior Ka'Lial Glaud (6-2 240-pounds) who had  20 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks last season.  He has 5 tackles and 2 sacks already this season.  Behind him are several players that can rotate in including senior Marvin Booker (6-2 240-pounds) who has 1 tackle, sophomore Jawaun Wynn (6-3 210-pounds), and sophomore David Mileswki (6-4 235-pounds) who had one sack last season.  At the defensive tackle position is junior Isaac Holmes (6-3 275-pounds) who had 12 tackles last season including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. He has 7 tackles and 1.5 tackle for loss to start the season. Behind him are two redshirt freshman, Al Page (6-2 285-pounds) and Marquise Wright (6-3 295-pounds) that will be just getting into their collegiate careers and the Bulls can attack them up the middle in the rushing attack.  At the other tackle position is senior Scott Vallone (6-3 275-pounds) who had 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks last season. He has 2 tackles this season already. Junior Jamil Merrell (6-4 255-pounds) had 44 tackles, 3 tackles and a half sack last season.  He has 4 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss to start the season.  Junior Michael Larrow (6-4 270-pounds) is behind them on the depth chart. 

At linebacker is senior playmaker Khaseem Greene (6-1 235-pounds) who led the team last season with 141 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The big senior already has 24 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Behind him is junior Robert Joseph (6-2 220-pounds) who totaled 5 tackles last season (won't get on the field much with Greene out there).  At middle linebacker is senior Steve Beauharnais (6-2 235-pounds) who totaled 77 tackles last season including 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions (big time force in the middle).  He has 9 tackles and 2 tackles for loss to start the season.  Behind him is sophomore Kevin Snyder (6-3 225-pounds) who had 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.  He has 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack to start the season.  At the last linebacker position is junior Jamal Merrell (6-4 220-pounds) who had 44 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and a half sack last season.  He has 20 tackles and 4 tackles for loss, already causing issues in the backfield.  Behind him is sophomore Kevin Snyder (6-3 225-pounds) and redshirt freshman Quentin Gause (6-1 220-pounds). 

At the cornerback position is senior Brandon Jones (6-1 185-pounds) who had 39 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions last season.   He has 5 tackles and 1 interception.  Behind him is senior Mason Robinson (5-10185-pounds) who had 3 tackles last season as a reserve (has 1 tackle this year).  At the other cornerback position is junior Logan Ryan (6-0190-pounds) who had 67 tackles last season, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sack, and 3 interceptions.  He has 11 tackles and 3 pass break-ups.  Behind him is senior Marcus Cooper (6-2 185-pounds) who had 30 tackles (has 6 tackles) and sophomore Gareef Ghashen (5-10 180-pounds) who had just 2 tackles in 2011.  At free safety is senior Duron Harmon (6-1 200-pounds) who had 49 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks in 2011 (has 2 tackles this season).  Behind him is junior J.T. Tartacoff (5-11 190-pounds) and Rashad Knight (5-11 195-pounds).  At strong safety is sophomore Lorenzo Waters (6-0 190-pounds) who had 10 tackles last season (has 8 tackles and 2 tackles for loss this season) and senior Wayne Warren (6-1 205-pounds) who had 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception in 2011 (2 tackles in 2012 for him).

Overall, the Rutgers defense is very strong, especially at linebacker and plays hard, smash mouth football.  It is going to be a real battle for the USF offense to sustain drives and get points on the board.