Rutgers football spring practice

Quarterback Gary Nova will need to win the starting job in preseason camp.

(John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

CHICAGO — At the end of spring practice it seemed a mere formality that Gary Nova would be named the starting quarterback this season. But an official announcement still has not come from Rutgers coach Kyle Flood.

Rutgers released its 2014 media guide on Monday morning and Nova is listed as a co-starter with Mike Bimonte and Chris Laviano.

There was an open quarterback competition entering spring practice with Nova, Bimonte, Laviano, Blake Rankin and walk-on Devin Ray listed as co-starters. Rankin transferred to Delaware midway through spring practice and Ray fell behind in the competition.

Nova appeared to separate from the pack as the spring progressed and Flood was complimentary of the senior's play after the Scarlet-White game. Flood said at the time that Nova would be the starter if the season began then. That remains the likely outcome, but Nova will enter preseason camp in a competition for the job.

Other notable changes on the preseason depth chart including Andre Patton at the starting wide receiver spot opposite Leonte Carroo. Ruhann Peele was listed as a starter at the beginning of spring practice, but he suffered a foot injury and underwent surgery to insert a rod and screw into his foot.

Dave Milewski has jumped Quanzell Lambert at the "R" defensive end position. Lambert missed most of the spring with a shoulder injury and Milewski stepped into the starting position.

There is no clarity at the cornerback position. There are eight cornerbacks listed as co-starters: Nadir Barnwell, Anthony Cioffi, Gareef Glashen, Brian Verbitski and freshmen Kam Lott, Isaiah Wharton, Darian Dailey and Saquan Hampton.

Freshman Andre Boggs isn't on the cornerback depth chart, but he is listed as a second-team punt returner and kick returner. Janarion Grant is listed as the starting punt returner and is joined by Desmon Peoples as the starting kick returners.

The free safety position remains an open competition between Delon Stephenson and Johnathan Aiken.

Paul James is the starting running back with Peoples and Justin Goodwin listed as co-backups. Senior Savon Huggins, who missed spring practice with a shoulder injury, is not listed on the depth chart. Freshman Josh Hicks is also not listed on the running back depth chart, but is in the mix as a backup kick returner.

Wide receiver Andrew Turzilli will wear No. 19. The fifth-year transfer from Kansas will be eligible to play this season. Quarterback Hayden Rettig, who transferred from LSU in June, will wear No. 11. Rettig must sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules and then will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Here's the full depth chart:

OFFENSE

QB: Gary Nova or Mike Bimonte or Chris Laviano

RB: Paul James/Justin Goodwin or Desmon Peoples

FB: Michael Burton/Sam Bergen

TE: Tyler Kroft/Nick Arcidiacono

WR: Leonte Carroo/Carlton Agudosi

WR: Andre Patton/Ruhann Peele or Janarion Grant

LT: Keith Lumpkin/Ryan Brodie

LG: Kaleb Johnson/Dorian Miller

C: Betim Bujari/Derrick Nelson

RG: Chris Muller/J.J. Denman

RT: Taj Alexander/Bryan Leoni

DEFENSE

DE: Dave Milewski/Quanzell Lambert or Kemoko Turay

NT: Kenneth Kirksey/Sebastian Joseph

DT: Darius Hamilton/Daryl Stephenson

DE: Djwany Mera/Julian Pinnix-Odrick

WLB: Steve Longa/T.J. Taylor

MLB: Kevin Snyder/L.J. Liston

SLB: Quentin Gause/Myles Nash

CB: Nadir Barnwell/Gareef Glashen/Kam Lott/Isaiah Wharton/Saquan Hampton

FS: Johnathan Aiken or Delon Stephenson

SS: Lorenzo Waters/Davon Jacobs

CB: Anthony Cioffi/Brian Verbitski/Darian Dailey

SPECIALISTS

P: Joseph Roth/Aidan Murray

PK: Kyle Federico/Nick Borgese

KO: Kyle Federico/Nick DeLouisa

H: Mike Bimonte or Nick DeLouisa

PR: Janarion Grant/Andre Boggs or Josh Hicks

KR: Janarion Grant and Desmon Peoples/Leonte Carroo or Andre Boggs or Josh Hicks

SN: Alan Lucy/Kevin Snyder