Rutgers football: John McNulty says quarterback competition harder than anticipated

Josh Newman | Asbury Park Press

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PISCATAWAY -- When John McNulty addressed the media during spring practice on March 21, his second stint as Rutgers offensive coordinator was just beginning.

Spring ball was also in its infancy, so everyone was still learning McNulty's high-octane offense. Even then, over four months ago and without a ton of information at hand, he already had a feeling about the quarterback situation.

"I think I have a pretty good idea of where we're headed, but right now, we're staying consistent with the reps," McNulty said on March 21. "When we start doing these player periods, guys will start switching in and out a little bit more with, quote-unquote, 1's and 2's, and get a little more work with those guys to get comfortable.

"Our plan was, complete the first week more or less equal, first week meaning first five practices. After that, I think we'll have enough on tape to fairly say, 'I'm going to start leaning this way.' It can change, but I think we're going to kind of separate it out as we go.

It is now early August, and things are getting a little more serious. A three-way open quarterback competition is off and running between Gio Rescigno, Art Sitkowski and Johnathan Lewis. McNulty has seen more and in turn knows more about all three candidates since March.

There is still more to glean in the next couple of weeks before head coach Chris Ash settles on a starter, but even with the new information, McNulty, speaking with reporters on Monday for the first time this summer, remains steadfast in his belief where this quarterback competition ends.

While that thinking remains firm, McNulty now believes more than one guy in the room is capable of handling the job.

"I think it's been a really good, solid competition for four days," McNulty said. "I think it's made it kind of a tougher decision than, at some point, we thought it was going to be. Guys are battling. They understand what's at stake, they understand only one guy really will play and start the year. The good thing is, I think we have a number of guys that can play the position. It's up to us to pick the guy we're going to put out there for the first snap and the first game.

"I think I do (know where the competition will end), but I think I also have more confidence in what the alternatives are, let's put it that way."

McNulty's belief that he has more than one legitimate quarterback option bodes well. Hypothetically, if Sitkowski, a true freshman, or Lewis, a true sophomore, win the job, it is hard to see Rescigno not being the No. 2. The redshirt senior has never been the opening-day starter, but he has started 12 games over the last two seasons.

Whatever happens to Rescigno, it stands to reason he will be thrust into a leadership role this fall. Either he is the starter and has to command the other 10 guys in the huddle, or, as the backup, he will be the elder statesman of the group, someone the younger, more-inexperienced starter can lean on.

"I just think we're taking it one day at a time," said Rescigno, who is on his fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons. "They're really good guys, they work really hard, they're great quarterbacks and whoever wins the job deserves it. I'm going to push them, they're going to push me, and that makes us better at the end of the day, not just in the quarterback room, but as an offense.

"Really, he's probably had the best four days of any of the three," McNulty said. "He's a tough, tough competitor, and you're going to have to fight to take something away from him. He's a guy that's been here.

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