PISCATAWAY – The Athan Kaliakmanis era officially began Monday as Rutgers football took the field for its first practice of training camp, one month ahead of the opening game for a highly anticipated season.
Coach Greg Schiano anointed Kaliakmanis QB1 immediately following spring practices, giving the Minnesota transfer the rest of the summer to cement himself as the leader of the offense.
But Kaliakmanis wasn’t letting his status as the starter alter his preparation.
Actually the opposite.
“I still approach every day as if I wasn’t the starter,” Kaliakmanis said. “That’s just how I approach things. So it didn’t really change much. I approached it with extreme intensity.”
The Scarlet Knights are hoping to get more production from the quarterback position and boast a more explosive passing game and they’ve turned to Kaliakmanis to make that happen.
One thing is clear: Kaliakmanis, who threw for 2,784 yards and 17 touchdowns in 23 games (17 starts) with the Golden Gophers, will have talent around him.
Rutgers has a deep wide receiver room that includes Monmouth transfer Dymere Miller, returning slot receiver Christian Dremel, Naseim Brantley and Chris Long, as well as a bevy of young wideouts like Ian Strong, Benjamin Black and Korey Duff Jr., among others.
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How will Rutgers determine who gets playing time from that group?
The answer is pretty simple.
“Performance,” coach Greg Schiano said. “You give us the best chance to win, you’re going to be the first receiver. Second-best chance, you’re the second. Third-best, third. All the way down. We usually get seven or eight guys ready to go each week. That’s the battle right now to be one of those seven or eight that are quote unquote ‘up.’”
Overall, though, Kaliakmanis is high on the players he’ll be throwing to.
“There’s a ton of things I could say about this group, but I’d say they’re extremely athletic and they make plays,” Kaliakmanis said. “It’s easy for me to do my job when they do theirs to an extreme level.”
Being able to hand off to the Big Ten’s leading rusher from last season in Kyle Monangai doesn’t hurt, either.
Monday might’ve officially began the Kaliakmanis Era for the Scarlet Knights.
But he’ll be far from alone in trying to help generate a more productive offense.
“I think it brings a ton of confidence to the offense because everyone can trust each other,” Kaliakmanis said. “Having guys who can make plays any time in the game just gives me all the confidence in the world.”
Good intensity on the practice field
Rutgers over the last couple seasons has become more of a player-led team, something Schiano has said becomes synonymous with winning programs.
The Scarlet Knights have more experience, more veteran leaders.
That’s led to competition and intensity in practice, starting right on Day One. Players are holding each other accountable, not waiting for the coaches to do it.
“Often times, things don’t get to the staff,” Schiano said. “They’re taken care of by the players beforehand. But if it does get to the staff, there’s immediately guys there (saying), ‘Let’s go, let’s get this (fixed).’ One thing about our program is it’s very, very clear what’s expected. The standard is the standard. Nothing else will be accepted. So if someone dips below it, it’s going to get noticed and called out. Then it’s up to everybody to get it fixed.”
Kyle Monangai named to preseason watch list
The Rutgers running back was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award has been given to the college football player of the year since 1937.
Monangai rushed for 1,262 yards on 242 carries last season.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football training camp day one takeaways
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