Rutgers football: Quarterback competition heading for its end

Josh Newman | Asbury Park Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Starting Quarterback still undecided as Rutgers Football holds Media Day Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash is pleased with his team's progress as they ready for opening game, but still have work to do.

PISCATAWAY -- When Chris Ash arrived at the podium inside a second-floor meeting room at the Hale Center on Sunday afternoon, he knew exactly where the session with reporters would eventually go.

With that, the third-year Scarlet Knights head coach decided to get out in front of it, wasting little time in addressing his quarterback situation.

On July 23 at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, Ash pledged a three-way open quarterback competition. He followed through with that as Gio Rescigno, Art Sitkowski and Johnathan Lewis are all getting first-team reps, but a decision is still pending.

"We're still in the evaluation process, we still have three guys getting reps that are getting evaluated," Ash said in addressing the media for the second time since training camp began. "We're not ready to name a starting quarterback today, so sorry to disappoint you guys if that's what you're looking for, but that's not going to happen.

"We are evaluating guys. Some guys continue to rise, some guys are inconsistent, but hopefully through this week, we have another scrimmage next Saturday, the goal will be hopefully by next Saturday, we will be in position to do something with the quarterback and name the starter."

Ash may not name a starter immediately after Saturday's scrimmage, but the guesswork is not expected to last long after. Saturday marks two weeks until the Sept. 1 season-opener against Texas State.

How much of a true evaluation can be made during that second scrimmage will be debatable. Ash indicated Sunday he does not expect all of his first-team guys to play much, and in some cases, at all.

Tariq Cole 'banged up,' but OK

Ash mentioned in his opening remarks that guys were banged up during the team's first scrimmage.

In a series of short videos posted on Twitter at @RFootball, left tackle Tariq Cole did not appear, while Sam Vretman was playing in his left tackle spot. Add Cole, an indispensable piece of the offensive line, to the banged-up list.

"He got banged up a little bit, but he's going to be fine,'' Ash said. "In our scrimmages, we know what some of our guys can do. We gotta limit the reps that some of our guys get in live-scrimmage work so they don't get hurt. Everyone is going to get bumps and bruises when we go live."

Cole has played 31 games over three seasons. He started 23 of a possible 24 games between the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Random thoughts, three weeks before Texas State

All signs are pointing to Sitkowski as Rutgers' opening-day starter, but that really isn't anything new. The true freshman had the most buzz coming out of spring practice and, from what we have seen, hasn't done anything to hurt his standing. He has the biggest arm, he throws the best ball, he has a presence under center, and he has the moxie you want from a starting quarterback.

If Sitkowski is indeed the starter, let him play. Don't have him looking over his shoulder. Let him learn, let him make mistakes, let him fail some. It's fine. The leash on the Old Bridge native should be season-long.

Rescigno has started 12 games, which is more than even the wildest expectation placed on him when he first arrived in Piscataway. If he loses this quarterback competition, he will undoubtedly soldier on, and be a benefit to Sitkowski as a veteran in the quarterback room.

Rutgers has a great problem with what to do at weakside linebacker. The options are one of the more-heralded recruits of the 2017 class, who is coming off injury, but showed great potential when he was healthy (Tyshon Fogg), or the Big Ten's leading returning tackler (Trevor Morris). Ash has some depth trouble right now, but WLB is not one of them.

Very, very interested to see if Raheem Blackshear can A) remain healthy and upright, and B) can get 15-20 touches per game in John McNulty's offense. Blackshear is another young guy with great potential. I was all-in on Blackshear last season when he took on contact and trucked a defender at the goal line at Illinois.

At a minimum, Isaih Pacheco passes the eye test. Rutgers is listing the early enrollee running back at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, and he is absolutely chiseled. Whether or not he makes an immediate impact is yet to be seen, but things are heading towards the Vineland native at least getting a shot.

Remember when Rutgers and its slew of disciplinary problems in 2015 were the laughingstock of the Big Ten? Maryland and Ohio State are both embroiled in scandal, while the stench of Larry Nassar is still permeating through Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights' summer has included investigation into a credit card probe involving eight players, but that's still easier to deal with than the three aforementioned programs. Rutgers isn't doing so bad for itself right now.

I still believe there are six wins and a bowl game to be had for Rutgers this season, even with youth in some key spots. That said, the Scarlet Knights are going to have to steal one somewhere. Sept. 29-Oct. 20 is absolutely critical to any bowl hopes. Three of four at home, with the fourth at Maryland, which Rutgers beat last season.

I am looking forward to the Ohio State trip. Ohio Stadium is a bucket-list item, not to mention one of college football's cathedrals. Experiencing game-day there should be quite the scene.

I am looking forward to the Kansas trip. Allen Fieldhouse is a bucket-list item, not to mention one of college basketball's cathedrals. Walking in there, even when it's empty, should be pretty cool.

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