McLane Carter is QB1.

The Texas Tech graduate transfer will start at quarterback for Rutgers in Friday night’s season opener against UMass, five individuals with knowledge of the decision told NJ Advance Media.

Those individuals were granted anonymity because head coach Chris Ash has declined to publicly announce a starter prior to kickoff at SHI Stadium in Piscataway. The news was first reported on Rutgers Sports Insider.

The decision to go with Carter caps an intriguing training camp battle with incumbent starter Artur Sitkowski. It also reflects the reality the Scarlet Knights’ coaching staff faces in 2019: After last year’s disastrous 1-11 season, Rutgers needs to win in Ash’s fourth season and achieve the “significant improvement” athletics director Patrick Hobbs has called for.

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Sitkowski struggled mightily last fall in 11 starts as a true freshman, throwing a national-worst 18 interceptions with just four touchdown passes. But he entered spring practice as Rutgers’ No. 1 quarterback and held onto that title through the first half of summer practice before Carter’s standout showing in an open practice on Fan Appreciation Day changed the trajectory of their camp competition.

Carter, who will be the first southpaw to start at quarterback for Rutgers in nearly a quarter-century, began receiving snaps with the first team offense following that impressive performance, eventually getting to a point where he was splitting the starter reps with Sitkowski before eventually pushing past him.

Carter won Texas Tech’s starting job last year, but suffered an ankle injury in the season opener against Ole Miss that sidelined him for most of the season (he has since recovered from offseason surgery).

Carter appeared in nine games over two seasons at Texas Tech, starting three games. Carter completed 51-of-97 passes at Texas Tech over his two years for 677 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Prior to Texas Tech, Carter played at Tyler Junior College and FCS-level Incarnate Word.

The belief around the Rutgers program is Sitkowski may still see playing time against UMass. The Scarlet Knights have also dropped hints Boston College transfer Johnny Langan could see action in special packages. But for now, Carter is the team’s No. 1 passer.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.