Rutgers football: Raheem Blackshear readying for larger role as spring winds down

PISCATAWAY -- Raheem Blackshear's name has come up a bunch this spring at Rutgers.

That's understandable. The sophomore running back had a productive freshman season, while showing flashes of big-play potential at various points. Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash has had positive things to say, as has new offensive coordinator John McNulty.

Both men agree Blackshear can play a key role in the offense, both agree with most everyone else that he has big-play ability in multiple ways. Both think he needs x-number of touches per game. Both, but especially McNulty, would like to see him stay healthy and upright for an entire season.

"I can do everything, anything, whatever they want me to do," said Blackshear, who looked noticeably more-chiseled when speaking with reporters on Tuesday, before noting he had put on 10 pounds of muscle. "If they want me to do one specific thing, I'll do whatever they say."

Blackshear was not a big talker last fall as his freshman year unfolded. There is no evidence this spring that that has changed, and that is fine. There are plenty of people willing to talk the Warminster, Pa. native up instead.

Enter Jon Hilliman. The former St. Peter's Prep star is a graduate transfer this fall in Piscataway. Having spent four years at another major college football program, Boston College, he qualifies as the elder statesman within a running back group that is young. He, like the coaching staff, has nothing but positive things to say about Blackshear.

"He embodies the spirit of a tough Philadelphia kid," Hilliman said. "He's very tough, he's very scrappy, has a chip on his shoulder all the time, feels like he's been overlooked. Those are the things he brings to the table every day. He's very smart, a very smart football player. I think he's going to have a phenomenal career here.

"He's going to do a lot of things for us this year, we just need to find ways to get him the rock in different situations. I think we'll have a great 1-2 thing going on."

That 1-2 thing should have Rutgers fans at least a little optimistic. Hilliman will be the every-down guy, but Blackshear will be the change-of-pace guy McNulty sends in there on third-and-3. Blackshear is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, whether that be a check down, or even the occasional wheel route, which the Scarlet Knights hit with him a few times last season.

"He may be our most-dynamic offensive player," first-year running backs coach Nunzio Campanile said. "John has been talking about wanting him to play in every game, so keeping him healthy is important, but we have to find ways to get him the ball, whether it's the run-game, pass-game, return-game.

"He can really do a lot of different things. He is a very dynamic player."

Staff writer Josh Newman: jnewman@app.com; @Joshua_Newman