I’m working on a feature on Ryan D’Imperio that will come out next week on SNY.tv. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound D’Imperio will start at middle LB for Rutgers this season and head coach Greg Schiano expects big things from him.
“He’s got an opportunity to be as good a linebacker as there is out there,” the coach said.
D’Imperio amassed 93 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, one INT and two fumble recoveries last season.
While D’Imperio will anchor the defense in the middle, senior Damaso Munoz will likely start at strongside LB. Munoz started four of the final five games last year and finished with 45 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one INT.
The third LB spot is up for grabs, with redshirt sophomore Manny Abreu and junior Antonio Lowery in the mix.
Abreu played in all 13 games, making eight starts. He had 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Lowery played in all 13 games a year ago, mostly on special teams, making 16 tackles.
Junior Jim Dumont could also challenge for the spot, as could a group of freshmen that includes 6-3 Morgan Carter, 5-10 Aaron Bakr and 6-2 Marcus Witherspoon. Redshirt junior Edmond Laryea and sophomore Marvin Booker also add depth at the spot.
“All we need to figure out is who that third linebacker’s gonna be,” Schiano said. “There’s a lot of competition. The obvious ones are Antonio Lowery and Manny Abreu. But there are some freshmen who are going to stick their nose in there.
“Freshmen may get homesick and miss Suzie or whatever it is and they don’t play up to their abilities. But that one position is really the big one that we need to figure out. Other than that there may be some new faces, but I feel comfortable that they’re going to be ready to perform.”
FOR MORE RUTGERS NEWS:
**Read the interview with AD Tim Pernetti here.
**Read about the QB competition, Kordell Young and the Knights’ latest commitment here.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
