PISCATAWAY – Tyreem Powell doesn’t have any doubt.
The Rutgers football linebacker is entering his fourth season with the Scarlet Knights and second under defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. The Vineland native has developed into one of the team’s most integral defensive weapons with his improvements both on the field and in the weight room.
And that’s part of the reason why Powell has so much confidence in the potential of the entire defense.
“I just feel much more comfortable. I think all of us can relate to that as a defense,” Powell said Monday following Rutgers’ practice at the Marco Battaglia Practice Complex. “We just want to go out there, be violent, play fast, physical and communicate.”
That’s the goal for Rutgers’ defense, which was inarguably the strength of the team for most of last season before beginning to falter down the stretch when depth issues due to injuries took their toll combined with the offense’s struggles to extend drives and stay on the field.
Rutgers football defense has bolstered depth
The Scarlet Knights’ defense this season has ample depth on the defensive line to keep bodies fresh throughout games, a bolstered linebacker corps with the returns of Mohamed Toure and Moses Walker after they both missed last season with torn ACLs, and a secondary that added key transfers in cornerback Eric Rogers and safety Flip Dixon while also bringing back Max Melton and Robert Longerbeam at cornerback.
Rutgers has one of the Big Ten’s most explosive defensive ends in Aaron Lewis, who last week was named to the Bednarik Award watch list, and another defensive end in Wesley Bailey who’s looking to build on a breakout season.
“I feel like on all three levels, we have amazing athletes that can play,” Toure said at the start of training camp.
The return of Toure, who led the team in sacks in 2020 and 2021, is critical. The fifth-year veteran can play both linebacker and defensive end – a versatile weapon for Harasymiak to deploy.
“He brings incredible energy every, single day,” Toure said of his defensive coordinator. “He wants better for us. He wants what we want. We want to win, he wants to win.”
‘We have to take the ball away’
Rutgers last season ranked 38th in the nation in total defense, though there are areas the Scarlet Knights need to improve in. Their run defense (142.9 yards allowed per game) ranked 10th in the Big Ten and they registered 20 sacks for the season, third-lowest in the conference ahead of just Minnesota and Northwestern. Rutgers had nine interceptions, which ranked 11th in the Big Ten.
As much as the offense preaches taking care of the football, the defense preaches the need to take the ball away.
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It’s a critical component for the Scarlet Knights to have success – their turnover margin of minus-6 last season, which ranked tied for 109th in the nation, needs improvement.
After the team’s first scrimmage of camp, coach Greg Schiano was encouraged that quarterback Gavin Wimsatt didn’t turn the ball over, but he also lamented the fact the defense didn’t force any turnovers either.
“Today, the ones and twos didn’t turn it over, but, the defense didn’t take it away,” Schiano said. “We have to take the ball away.”
The Dark Side
So consider that a big emphasis for The Dark Side, the moniker the defense has adopted for itself.
“I think we’re going to be real good,” Longerbeam said. “As long as we focus on the details and stay together, I think we can be real good.”
Multiple defensive players have said that the continuity with the coaching staff – starting with Harasymiak – has helped the entire defense play faster and more confidently.
It’s also brought a higher level of chemistry and cohesiveness.
“Having guys who have had experience like Aaron, like Tyreem, everybody just communicating on the same page,” said linebacker Deion Jennings, who led the team with 91 tackles (8½ for loss) last season. “I feel like it’s going to make us half a click faster, and that’s what we’re going to need.”
Rogers noticed that cohesiveness early in camp.
“I would say that’s the most important thing for a defense,” said Rogers, a Burlington native who transferred from Northern Illinois. “That chemistry, being on the same page and communicating, getting things done pre-snap, post-snap. That’s really a big thing for the defense. Without that, there’s nothing. We’ve all got to be on the same page.”
Rutgers’ offensive potential remains uncertain. Its defensive potential is clearer.
More experienced players. Bolstered depth. Emerging young talent.
It’s a recipe that can lead to success.
“I think we can be good as anybody,” Powell said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: How good can defense be in 2023 season?
