Three keys for Rutgers in 2016

Leading up to the start of the 2016 season, we’ll preview three key factors for every B1G team to have success.

Here are Rutgers’:

1. Maximize Janarion Grant’s role

With a brand-new coaching staff, there are few certainties heading into Rutgers’ 2016 season. But I feel like Grant getting the ball a bunch if one of them. He’ll line up in the slot, out wide or maybe even in the backfield, in addition to returning punts and kicks.

It’s rare to see non-running backs average 15 touches per game, but Grant will be that guy. New offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer knows that Rutgers’ best weapon cannot operate like typical slot receiver. The Paul Hornung Award watch list nominee will be at the top of the scouting report on a weekly basis.

There is risk, of course, with putting that kind of workload on a 190-pound guy. Grant will be asked to do as much as anyone in the B1G. He’s even being asked to win $100,000 for a student, just like last year.

If Grant does become the do-it-all threat the Knights need, his value will be far greater than $100,000.

2. Get/keep Darius Hamilton healthy

Despite all the arrests last year, I still think not having Hamilton on the field was the biggest on-the-field blow to the 2015 season. Hamilton is sick of answering questions about his knee, but he’s going to have to answer them until he returns to his 2014 self. He isn’t there yet.

Rutgers obviously needs him up front. Without Hamilton, the Knights surrendered more than five yards per carry and 33 rushing touchdowns, which was the worst in the B1G. They need that to turn around. Hamilton has the ability to be a steady play-maker in the defensive backfield if he’s healthy.

I do expect Rutgers’ struggles against the run to improve greatly under Ash with or without Hamilton at 100 percent. I think the rugby-style tackling pays dividends for a defense that lacks proven commodities. The Knights will be that much better if their lone proven commodity on defense returns to form.

3. Find Leonte Carroo’s replacement

You already know about Janarion Grant’s value as a receiver. He’ll likely be the go-to target in the passing game.

Having said that, there are things that Carroo did that Grant can’t do. The 6-1, 215-pound wideout was physical and athletic enough to make tough catches downfield. Rutgers needs a guy who can take advantage of single coverage on third-and-long. Who will that be?

Andre Patton is an option. The 6-3 senior has the most experience of any of the Rutgers receivers and he’s probably going to play the most snaps. Vance Matthews could be another weapon. Also a 6-3 senior, Matthews could finally emerge without Carroo ahead of him on the depth chart. Then there’s 6-6 Carlton Agudosi, who averaged 18.4 yards per catch as a junior last year.

The good news is that all of Chris Laviano’s likely Carroo replacements are seniors, so he won’t have to develop any new connections. If Laviano really was pushed by TCU transfer Zach Allen like Ash said he was, then he won’t have a problem finding a new big-play target.