Rutgers football hit the transfer portal hard this offseason to bolster its defense, and two of the additions in particular stood out to Greg Schiano during spring practices.
Defensive end Malachi Davis and linebacker Ty Morris both made a strong impression on their new head coach, an encouraging sign for a defense that needs to take a major jump under new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen.
Advertisement
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Davis transferred to Rutgers after four seasons with Toledo. He had 36 tackles (9.5 for loss) last season with 5.5 sacks, earning him third-team All-MAC.
“He showed us that we made a great decision in going after him,” Schiano said during an interview with Big Ten Network.
Rutgers football linebacker Ty Morris impressed coach Greg Schiano during spring practice.
That’s important since Rutgers lost defensive ends Bradley Weaver and Eric O’Neill to graduation following last season, while Jordan Walker transferred to Georgia Tech.
The Scarlet Knights’ pass rush also needed a boost – the defense had only 11 sacks last season, second-to-last in the Big Ten ahead of only UCLA.
Advertisement
Rutgers also addressed a position of need by brining in the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Morris, who spent the previous three seasons at Rice.
Morris started all 13 games last season, finishing with 88 tackles (9.5 for loss) with 2.5 sacks as a team captain.
“I thought he established himself as a really fine player for us, as well,” Schiano said.
While Morris will face a step up in competition in the Big Ten, his previous production and performance in spring practice offers positive signs for his ability to adapt.
Rutgers had a hole to fill at linebacker following the departure of Dariel Djabome. The Scarlet Knights return Kamar Archie, Moses Walker, Abram Wright, Isaiah Deloatch and DJ McClary, among others, but Morris brought some valuable experience to the position.
Advertisement
Overall Schiano came away encouraged by what he saw from his team’s new-look defense.
But there’s still a long way from a practice field in spring to a game once September arrives.
Continuing the momentum once training camp hits will be paramount.
“We just need to make sure that as we continue to install and grow the defense, we’re all on the same page,” Schiano said on the interview. “I trust Travis to do that. He’s done an incredible job up to this point, and I anticipate that’s going to continue into training camp.”
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football transfers earning praise from Greg Schiano
