Where Rutgers football ranks in preseason Big Ten poll, Scarlet Knights star earns honor

Rutgers football has been on the rise in recent seasons, and its spot in the USA TODAY Network Big Ten preseason media poll reflects that.

The Scarlet Knights were picked to finish 10 ^th in the new-look Big Ten, which has expanded to 18 teams with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.

Rutgers last season finished 7-6, capped off with a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Miami.

It was the Scarlet Knights’ first winning season in 10 years.

Greg Schiano’s team returns the bulk of a defense that last season ranked 32 ^nd in the country, allowing just 21.2 points per game. The Scarlet Knights also return the Big Ten’s leading rusher in Kyle Monangai.

Five of Rutgers’ upcoming Big Ten opponents (Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA and Illinois) were all slotted below the Scarlet Knights in the poll, which was released in conjunction with the start of Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis.

USA TODAY Network Big Ten Preseason Media Poll

1. Ohio State (eight first-place votes)

2. Oregon (five)

3. Michigan (tie)

3. Penn State (tie).

5. USC

6. Iowa

7. Wisconsin

8. Nebraska

9. Washington

10. Rutgers

11. Maryland

12. Michigan State

13. Minnesota

14. UCLA

15. Illinois

16. Indiana

17. Northwestern

18. Purdue

Kyle Monangai earns preseason honor

The star Rutgers running back, who led the Big Ten last season with 1,262 yards on 242 carries (5.2 yards per attempt) with eight touchdowns, earned an All-Big Ten selection by the USA TODAY Network.

OFFENSE

• Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon*
• Running back: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
• Running back: Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
• Wide receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State*
• Wide receiver: Tez Johnson, Oregon
• Tight end: Colston Loveland, Michigan
• Offensive line: Logan Jones, Iowa
• Offensive line: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
• Offensive line: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
• Offensive line: Josh Priebe, Michigan
• Offensive line: Sal Wormley, Penn State
• Also receiving votes: RB: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State; Donovan Edwards, Michigan; Nick Singleton, Penn State; Darius Taylor, Minnesota; WR: Evan Stewart, Oregon; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; TE: Luke Lachey, Iowa; Terrance Ferguson, Oregon; Tyler Warren, Penn State; OL: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon; Ajani Cornelius, Oregon; Jonah Monheim, USC, Matthew Bedford, Oregon; Josh Fryar, Ohio State; Connor Colby, Iowa; Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State

DEFENSE

• Defensive line: Mason Graham, Michigan
• Defensive line: J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
• Defensive line: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
• Defensive line: Abdul Carter, Penn State
• Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
• Linebacker: Nick Jackson, Iowa
• Linebacker: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
• Defensive back: Will Johnson, Michigan
• Defensive back: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
• Defensive back: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
• Defensive back: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
• Also receiving votes
• DL: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State; Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Bear Alexander, USC; Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State; LB: Jaishawn Barhman, Michigan; Xander Mueller, Northwestern, Mohamed Toure, Rutgers, Carson Bruenner, Washington; Cal Haladay, Michigan State; Kydran Jenkins, Purdue; Jaheim Thomas, Wisconsin; DB: Sebastian Castro, Iowa; Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon; Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin; Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin; Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State; Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Kicker: Dragan Kesich, Minnesota
• Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
• All-purpose: Zachariah Branch, USC
• Also receiving votes: K: Drew Stevens, Iowa; P: James Evans, Indiana. ALL-PURPOSE: Donaven McCulley, Indiana; Nick Singleton, Penn State; Braeden Wisloski, Maryland

AWARDS

• Coach of the Year: Ryan Day, Ohio State
• Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon*
• Newcomer of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
• Newcomer of the Year (non-Dillon Gabriel category): Caleb Downs, Ohio State

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where Rutgers football ranks in preseason Big Ten poll, Scarlet Knights star earns honor