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Rutgers quarterback Blake Rankin announced Tuesday that he will transfer.

(Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

As the Rutgers quarterback competition took shape over the weekend, three quarterbacks emerged as contenders for the starting job. Blake Rankin wasn't in that group, so the sophomore has decided to transfer.

Rankin was emotional as he announced his decision to transfer after Tuesday's practice.

Rankin, who will finish the spring semester at Rutgers, doesn't know where he'll go next. He'll spend the next few weeks exploring his options.

"It was probably the toughest decision I've ever made," Rankin said. "Rutgers has been good to me, but it's just time to move on for the better, hopefully."

Rankin arrived at Rutgers as a three-star recruit from Bloomsburg, Pa. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback redshirted in 2012 and didn't play a snap last season.

Rankin was one of five quarterbacks who entered the spring in an open competition for the starting job. But after the second week of practice, coach Kyle Flood moved Gary Nova, Mike Bimonte and Chris Laviano up the depth chart. The writing was on the wall for Rankin.

"I came into the spring very confident," Rankin said. "I was given an opportunity and, unfortunately, some things didn't go my way. But that's part of the game."

Rankin knew this spring would go a long way in determining his future at Rutgers.

"At this position, there's a lot of pressure, whether you're competing for a spot or you're the starter or the backup – there's always pressure," Rankin said. "Knowing that coach was going to be making a decision based off the spring, every quarterback was probably playing with pressure on them."

Rankin was at a crossroads, as there was little upside to the prospect of spending another season buried on the depth chart.

"I have three more years of eligibility and I really miss just playing the game of football," Rankin said.

"I'm not looking for a certain style of offense, but definitely a school similar to Rutgers – good academics, good football. I'd like to play somewhere. They gave me a great opportunity here, but things just weren't going my way."

Freshman cornerback Bryant Gross-Armiento also announced Tuesday that he will transfer after the semester. Flood said both players have been "really good people in our program and I wish them nothing but the best."