Special Teams and Tight Ends Coach Vince Okruch Talks to Reporters
The media had the chance to pepper Scarlet Knights Special
Teams and Tight Ends coach Vince Okruch this past Friday. Okruch provided them
with some personnel news as well as some insights into the teams overall
preparedness as they close out training camp.
Senior graduate transfer Ryan Anderson has won the job as
the starting punter over Michael Cintron. Okruch explained that Anderson "has greater
distance; kicks a deeper ball."
True freshman Justin Davidovicz will handle kickoffs.
The placekicking competition is ongoing between transfer
Andrew Harte, a former recruit of Jerry Kill's at Minnesota , and last year's starter, David
Bonagura. Whomever shows the most consistency will get the job.
There is also an ongoing competition at long snapper, with
returning starter Alan Lucy trying to hold off freshman Bill Taylor.
Okruch said the team "could have a lot of freshman
covering kicks." As an example, Okruch mentioned Edwin "Tank"
Lopez as someone who "ideally, he can play special teams early."
Asked about Janarion Grant, Okruch said that in addition to
his obvious skills many people don't know that, "he loves football...he's
a special dude."
The coach also broke down the situation at tight end and
H-back. University
of Miami
Converted defensive end Myles Nash "has worked so hard,
he's got a role" as a tight end in the offense. And Nakia Griffin-Stewart
is "coming along."
In terms of the H-backs, Max Anthony has "gotten
reps." Formerly a linebacker and defensive end, "Solomon Manning has
come over to try and learn the position." And Jim Brady has also
"gotten reps."
Those of us who follow Rutgers
football know that the special teams, particularly the coverage units, were
among the poorest in major college football. Recruiting athletic players who
could immediately help out on special teams was a major focus of the coaching
staff. Based on what I've been hearing, it appears that those units will be
significantly upgraded. The competition for many spots is proof that these
athletes are pushing one another to get better.
As far as the tight ends and H-backs, last year the Rutgers offense made almost zero use of the tight ends as
receivers in the passing game. And H-back was essentially a nonexistent
position in the offensive scheme. Having a renewed emphasis on pass-catching
tight ends will give QB Kyle Bolin more targets to help move the chains, as
well as something else for opposing defenses to have to prepare.
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