Rutgers football training camp: Can defense boost this one key area in 2024?
PISCATAWAY – With the bulk of a defense that ranked among the best in the nation back for this season, expectations for what Rutgers football could do on that side of the ball are high.
But there’s one area the Scarlet Knights need to improve on.
They need a more consistent and productive pass rush.
“We need to have a better pass rush, with just a three-, four-man rush,” coach Greg Schiano said in the spring. “We can’t have to dial blitz up all the time to create pressure."
While Rutgers finished 16th in the nation last season in total defense, it tied for 109th with just 21 sacks in 13 games (linebacker Mohamed Toure led the team with 4? sacks last season).
Boosting that number has been a point of emphasis, starting from spring practices and now in training camp.
Rutgers often was able to get into the backfield last season, but too often failed to come up with the sack.
How can Rutgers football improve its defense? 'Finishing was our key' says defensive end Aaron Lewis
“Finishing was our key, trying to finish on the quarterback,” defensive end Aaron Lewis said following Wednesday’s practice. “We have (defensive line) Coach (Colin) Ferrell now. Coach Ferrell has implemented skills and a lot drills for us to make that happen. Finish at the quarterback. What it’s going to take is for the whole D-line to work as a team and have a connected pass rush. That’s what we’re trying to work on and I feel like we’ve really been successful.”
Lewis last season finished with three sacks. Fellow defensive end Wesley Bailey finished with four, and Lewis believes Bailey is on the cusp of a huge season.
“I think Wes has really put a lot of effort into getting his body right and just being the guy we know he can be,” Lewis said. “Wes always has a high motor. Wes is honestly like my brother. Honestly I’ve never seen Wes like this – he’s going right now. Wes is in this mindset where he just needs to stay on his path, and anything in his path needs to get out of his path. Wes is in the most violent mindset I’ve seen him in.”
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If Rutgers’ defense can generate a more successful pass rush, it’s going to make a unit that’s already strong even more formidable.
Expectations have soared for Joe Harasymiak’s unit.
Lewis said he and his teammates don’t focus on that, but he’s confident in what their potential could be.
“We see all that, but what we try to focus on is what we know we can do,” Lewis said. “With us being together so long, we have time to build our goals and we have time to get closer and communicate. This is the tightest I think this defense has ever been.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football training camp: Can defense improve in key area?
