John Munson | NJ Advance Media

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By Todderick Hunt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Rutgers finished the 2017 4-8, totaling a 6- 18 record over the past two season. Despite a 100 percent up-tick in wins, the program has still left much to be desired as most fans had their fingers crossed for a .500 season. Fans and analysts alike always talk about how good Rutgers could be if it kept all of its best players home. Let's take a look at what this past year's starting line-up would've looked like if the program were able to accomplish the impossible.

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Synopsis

We operated under the pretense that there are only New Jersey players on Rutgers' roster to come up with this hypothetical starting line-up. The selections were based on which N.J. natives had the strongest 2017 seasons and not the caliber of recruits they were coming out of high school. Offensively, we went with one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end and five offensive linemen. While defensively, we chose four down linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs.

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Quarterback

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Redshirt So. Brandon Wimbush, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) -- Notre Dame

So far this year, Wimbush has thrown for 1,818 yards and 16 TDs (to only six INTs), while rushing for 766 yards and 14 additional scores on the ground. And he'll have the opportunity to lead his team in a New Year's Day Bowl against LSU to finish off his red-shirt sophomore campaign.

Runners-up: Anthony Brown, Boston College; Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee; Kenny Pickett, Pitt

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Running back

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Fr. Jonathan Taylor, Salem (N.J.) -- Wisconsin

A Doak Walker finalist and consensus All-American as a true freshman, Taylor has rushed for 1,847 yards and 13 TDs and is already one of the top three backs in the country. Also a one-time Rutgers commit, Taylor came close to doing his thing while donning scarlet, but ultimately bailed for Madison, where fellow South Jersey greats Ron Dayne and Corey Clement put their talents on display.

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Sr. Akrum Wadley, Weequahic (Newark, N.J.) -- Iowa

The explosive Wadley would provide a change of pace in the backfield due to his ability to stop and start and catch balls out the backfield yet finish off the run despite his sleek frame. A 5-11, 190-pounder, Wadley generated 1,021 yards and nine TDs on the ground to go along with 329 receiving yards and three additional scores in the passing game.

Runners-up: Ray Lawry, Old Dominion; Jon Hilliman, Boston College; Ryquell Armstead, Temple; Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan; John Lovett, Baylor; Dontae Strickland, Syracuse; David Hood, Temple; (FB) Anthony Gargiulo, Navy

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Last weekend's visitors recap official visits

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Wide receivers

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So. Kelvin Harmon, Palmyra (N.J.) -- N.C. State

Harmon has done nothing but put up big numbers and collect accolades since setting foot on N.C. State's campus in 2016. He's a first-team All-ACC selection in 2017, after catching 65 passes for 993 yards and four TDs. And he already has 1,455 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs for his young career.

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Redshirt So. Juwan Johnson, Glassboro (N.J.) -- Penn State

There were more productive N.J. native receivers when it came to TDs, but Johnson's overall body of work and unique physical gifts -- 6-5, 225 -- make him the pick to help Rutgers take the top off the defense. And his 48 catches for 635 yards and a score are certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Runners-up: Adonis Jennings, Temple; Ricky Jeune, Georgia Tech; Keith Kirkwood, Temple; Sadiq Palmer, UMass

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Tight end

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Sr. Mike Gesicki, Southern Regional (Manahawkin, N.J.) -- Penn State

There might not be a more athletic tight end in the country than the 6-6, 257-pound Gesicki, who caught 51 balls for 501 yards, and in dramatic fashion throughout 2017. The former volleyball and basketball player can out-jump just about any defender in the country for the football and also has high-level body control, allowing him to consistently win battles for 50-50 balls and be a huge threat in the red zone.

Runners-up: Garrett Dickerson, Northwestern; Ryan Izzo, Florida State; Tommy Sweeney, Boston College; Jerome Washington, Rutgers

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Offensive line

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Sr. Quenton Nelson, Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic -- Notre Dame

There is no nastier offensive lineman in the country. Period. The consensus first-team All-American and Outland Trophy finalist is a plug and play and surefire first round draft pick due to his feet, diligence and ability to finish at a high rate.

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Redshirt So. Steven Gonzalez, Union City (N.J.) -- Penn State

A 6-4, 340-pounder, Gonzalez found his stride in 2017, and has started stringing together nasty performances that could eventually land him in the NFL. The road-grading guard started 11 games in 2017 and 14 overall, projecting a dominant 2018 where he'll take over as a leader along Penn State's offensive unit.

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Redshirt Jr. Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic -- Michigan

The 6-6, 311-pounder has been a utility player of sorts for Michigan, helping fill in for guys when they went down before taking over as a full-time starter himself in 2017. Overall, he's appeared in 22 games, making eight starts. But it's his versatility that's allowed the Wolverines to shuffle line-ups over the past couple years and not miss a beat. At least, along the line.

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Jr. Yosuah Nijman, Columbia (Maplewood, N.J.) -- Virginia Tech

Nijman was a virtual unknown while at Columbia, where he originally played defensive line. He spent a short stint at Fork Union Military Academy, where he continued on that side of the ball, before ascending to Virginia Tech where he filled out and was moved to offense. Now a 6-7, 320-pound left tackle with 22 starts under his belt, Nijman likely has the bright lights of the NFL in his future.

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So. Will Fries, Cranford (N.J.) -- Penn State

Fries did one of the best jobs of any offensive tackle throughout the country in containing future first-round NFL Draft pick Rashan Gary, also from New Jersey. The 6-6, 305-pounder is just coming into his own, but his high-level hands and overall upside is through the roof.

Runners-up: Dorian Miller, Rutgers; Ben Petrula, Boston College; Brendan Mahon, Penn State; Cesar Ruiz, Michigan; Matt Hennessey, Temple; Michael Maietti, Rutgers

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Rutgers recruiting N.J. record-breaker Ashane Worthy

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Defensive line

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So. Rashan Gary, Paramus Catholic -- Michigan

A first-team All-Big Ten pick, the nation's former No. 1 recruit got off on a measured start to the season but finished strong, generating 54 tackles, five sacks, 10.5 TFLs and a forced fumble. But you cant help but think the 6-5, 280-pounder hasn't even scratched the surface, as he has No. 1 overall NFL Draft potential leaking through his pores. Scary, right?

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Sr. Kemoko Turay, Barringer (Newark, N.J.) -- Rutgers

A 6-5, 240-pounder, Turay is a freak athlete who became a complete football player in 2017. The big sack total may have alluded him (3.0) in 2017, but Turay played hard, fast and impacted just about every game -- 60 tackles, six for loss, two fumble recoveries -- with his motor and overall athleticism. He also showed he can anchor down against the run, ultimately, earning himself an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

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Jr. Kevin Wilkins, St. Joseph (Mont.) -- Rutgers

Wilkins has played one, three and five technique at Rutgers and would likely still be the starter even if Rutgers would've kept all top N.J. players at his position over the past few years. He's a big guy who can move, which led him to 44 tackles, seven TFLs and a batted pass as a junior. But the numbers don't even begin to tell the story of the impact the 6-2, 305-pounder had on Rutgers' slowly but surely improving defense in 2017.

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Sr. Noa Merritt, Pope John (Sparta, N.J.) -- Boston College

Merritt would be a one-technique for Rutgers. Undersized coming out of high school, he's grown into a 6-1, 290-pound play-making defensive tackle, generating 46 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, two batted passes and a forced fumble in 2017.

Runners-up: Andrew Trumbetti, Notre Dame; Dajaun Drennon, North Carolina; Pat Toal, Old Dominion; Jameer Outsey, UNLV

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Linebackers

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Jr. Josh Allen, Montclair (N.J.) -- Kentucky

Although listed as a linebacker, the 6-5, 235-pounder is more of a hybrid linebacker/defensive end. But he's one of the most feared pass rushers in the SEC, accumulating 121 tackles, 19 TFLs and 14 sacks over the past two years. He's also forced six fumbles, has an interception and four batted passes.

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Jr. Joe Giles-Harris, St. Joseph (Mont.) -- Duke

Giles-Harris is a first-team All-American in 2017 after accumulating 117 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, an interception, four pass break-ups and a forced fumble in 12 games. He has 224 tackles, 24.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks over the past two years, and is one of the most active defensive play-makers in the country.

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Sr. Al-Rasheed Benton, Malcolm X Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) -- West Virginia

His team's lading tackler in 2017, Benton has had his most productive season as a senior, generating 102 stops, 13 TFLs, three sacks, two INTs, three pass break-ups and a forced fumble, leading to honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.

Runners-up: Jason Cabinda, Penn State; Kyle Queiro, Northwestern; Shaun Bradley, Temple; Chapelle Russell, Temple; Saleem Brightwell, Pitt; Manny Bowen, Penn State

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Highly-touted OL O'Neal sticks with Rutgers

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Secondary

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Jr. Minkah Fitzpatrick, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) -- Alabama

To list all of Fitzpatrick's collegiate accomplishments would take all night. Let's just say the national champion, Bednarik AND Thorpe award-winning, consensus All-American and future top-10 NFL Draft pick is pretty good at football.

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So. Jordan Fuller, Old Tappan (N.J.) -- Ohio State

Fuller has quickly become one of Ohio State's top defenders in just his second year, leading the team in solo tackles with 43 -- 52 tackles, 2.5 for loss, overall -- while also intercepting two passes and breaking up two more. He's long, explosive and can turn defense to offense at the drop of a hat.

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So. Jamal Parker, Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill, N.J.) -- Kent State

The 5-8, 183-pounder was one of the more underrated players to come out of New Jersey's 2016 class. Already a two-year starter, he's accumulated 85 tackles, four INTs, 12 pass break-ups and a forced fumble in only 19 games. And he gets better every game.

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Sr. Sean Chandler, Camden (N.J.) -- Temple

Another underrated recruit out of South Jersey, Chandler has gone on to have one of the more productive careers of any N.J. DB to ascend to college over the past four years. He's accumulated multiple accolades as well as 260 tackles (13.5 for loss), nine INTs (two returned for TDs), 22 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for a temple team that has become relevant throughout his Philly stint.

Runners-up: Myles Hartsfield, Ole Miss; Kiy Hester, Rutgers; Marshe Terry, UConn; Harrison Hand, Baylor; K.J. Gray, Rutgers; Tre Bell, UConn; Anthony Watkins, UConn; Saquon Hampton, Rutgers; Rodney Williams, Syracuse; Anthony Averett, Alabama; Mike Basile, Monmouth

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Punter

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Fr. Zach Feagles, Ridgewood (Glen Rock, N.J.) -- Miami (Fla.)

Only a true freshman, the 6-2, 210-pounder and son of former Hurricane and NFL punter Jeff Feagles, Zach averaged 38.1 yards on 68 punts in 2017, totaling 2,591 yards worth of flipped field position.

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Placekicker

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Sr. Mike Badgley, Summit (N.J.) -- Miami (Fla.)

A first team All-ACC selection in 2017, Badgley is one of the best placekickers in the entire country. The 5-10, 180-pounder hit 16-of-20 field goals (80%) for 90 points and went 42-of-43 on extra points in 2017, and has a chance to continue to drive the football in the NFL.

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Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TodderickHunt. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.