— Sam Hellman
Temperatures started to rise in Piscataway with the Rutgers football team hitting the practice field for the third time of training camp. Coach Greg Schiano split the practice between the varsity and junior varsity, allowing for the freshmen to get in work by themselves …
Growing up:
For David Rowe, it seems like just yesterday when he lined up at nickel alongside the McCourty twins with Courtney Greene playing safety.
But now a junior, Rowe has the most playing experience among the cornerback and he feels like things are changing for him.
“It’s really different for me without all those guys,” Rowe said. “I’m playing with younger guys and they’re making plays. I guess the big difference is me having to step into a leader role since I know the defensive stuff.”
Rowe runs solely with the first team at cornerback with senior Brandon Bing and redshirt freshman Logan Ryan getting reps on the other side.
His focus for training camp, now that he feels comfortable in the system, is to build up his strength and become a more physical cornerback.
“I’ve put on a lot of muscle since then and gotten stronger,” Rowe said. “I know how physical the game is. I think I’ve matured and my mentality has changed since when I was a freshman.”
Cornerback David Rowe started multiple games at nickel cornerback as a true freshman and started 11 games as a sophomore. (Sam Hellman)
Injury updates:
There is no major change in the status for junior tailback Joe Martinek (hamstring) or junior backup quarterback Steve Shimko (shoulder), Schiano said.
“Joe did some,” Schiano said. “Shimko still didn’t throw.”
For the true freshmen, Schiano said running back Casey Turner is better and participated in nearly all drills. Cornerback Gareef Glashen was much more limited than Turner with both nursing hamstring injuries.
Junior Justin Francis left practice early with cramps.
“He cramped at the end,” Schiano said. “He has to take care of himself.”
Putting on the pads
The Scarlet Knights wore shoulder pads for the first time during training camp and started to allow some hitting during certain drills.
The rest of the pads go on Wednesday for the Rutgers with Saturday looming as the first scrimmage of training camp.
“It gave us a chance to show how well we did with our work over the summer as far as strength was concerned,” Rowe said. “It let me show how much more physical I’ve gotten.”
Lumpkin visits from St. Peter’s Prep:
St. Peter's Prep offensive lineman Keith Lumpkin (left) holds 13 Division-1 offers including one from the Scarlet Knights. (Sam Hellman)
One-third of the St. Peter’s Prep triumvirate attended practice today as offensive lineman Keith Lumpkin toughed out a hot day on the Banks.
Lumpkin, a 6-foot-8, 300 pound tackle, holds 13 Division-1 offers and is the ninth best player in New Jersey on Rivals.com
The Scarlet Knights also got a visit from Bill Hill, a wide receiver from Toms River South without any Division-1 offers.
Savage named to Maxwell Watch List:
Sophomore quarterback Tom Savage made his way onto the 74th annual Maxwell Award watch list today to go along with his name on the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award watchlist.
The Maxwell Award goes out to the most outstanding player in college football during that given season.
As a freshman, Savage threw for a Big East freshman record 2,211 passing yards to go along with 14 touchdowns in 11 starts.
