If Joe Martinek isn’t ready to go in Saturday’s game against North Carolina (3:30, ESPNU), true freshman Jordan Thomas will get his first career start.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m very confident in Jordan,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday. “I think he’ll do fine no matter what his role is. I think Jordan is getting better by the day. He has made a big leap from the end of the FIU game until today. I think he’s improved.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Thomas wasn’t made available to the media this week. Freshman are typically only available after games.
Martinek has been bothered by an ankle injury that has limited him for the last 10 days.
“Like I’ve said all along, I don’t know if he’s going to be able to make it back, it’s going to be real close,” Schiano said. “Can he make it back? Sure, he can go stand and play, but can he play at the level we need to compete with that defense, I’m not sure. We’re going to have to wait and see. That will be a game time decision.”
A former track star at Union-Endicott High in New York, Thomas has carried 21 times for 71 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards.
Schiano said he didn’t think starting would be that big of a deal for Thomas.
“The guy knows he’s going to play, he’s going to face that opponent,” he said.
LARYEA OUT FOR SEASON
Schiano announced that fifth-year FB/LB Edmond Laryea is out for the season with a knee injury.
“Since he was playing both ways, it definitely impacts us,” Schiano said. “We’ll move one of the linebackers up, I don’t know. They’re all working right now. [Marvin] Booker is working, Jim Dumont obviously has been backing up all season. Dave Milewski might break into the fold, we’re still trying to decide that. Offensively, Paul Carrezola will work some fullback and we’ll see who else.”
Schiano said it was possible Laryea could get a sixth year of eligibility.
“They’re looking into that now,” he said. “I’m not sure.”
(Photo courtesy US Presswire)
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