Here’s where Rutgers football’s defense stands after spring practices

PISCATAWAY – So far, so good.

That’s essentially the state of Rutgers football’s defense following the conclusion of spring practices, which offered the new-look unit a critical chance to adjust to a new scheme and new coaching staff under new coordinator Travis Johansen.

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There’s still a lot of work to be done before the unit takes the field for the team’s season opener against UMass, but coach Greg Schiano likes the way the defense is heading into the next phase of the offseason.

“I really am pleased with where we are defensively,” Schiano said. “We’ve got a long way to go. Like a long way. But Coach Johansson’s done a great job of integrating staff, players, everybody. Very impressed with the job he’s done, and the staff. The players have bought in, hook, line and sinker, they’re all in.”

In addition to a new coaching staff, the Scarlet Knights also brought in 10 transfers to bolster and help improve a unit that ranked near the bottom of the country in most categories last season – that prompted the postseason dismissals of Robb Smith and Zach Sparber after just one season as co-coordinators.

The biggest overhaul will come in the secondary where the Scarlet Knights need to replace every starter – they do have talent returning, including cornerback Kevin Levy, who’s garnered praise this spring, and safety Jesse Ofurie, who won the Douglas A. Smith Second Effort Award, given to the Rutgers defensive player who showed the most improvement during the offseason and spring practices.

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The Scarlet Knights have to replace linebacker Dariel Djabome, but return Moses Walker, Abram Wright and Kamar Archie, among others.

Rutgers has solid depth along the defensive line, especially now that Zaire Angoy has officially received a waiver that will allow him to play the 2026 season, something Schiano announced after the team’s final spring practice on April 25.

When the Scarlet Knights retake the field for training camp in August, Schiano’s confident the defense will be in a good spot following a promising showing in the spring.

“They’ve played really well,” Schiano said. “They’ve had fun together. You can see a chemistry building, a bond, and that’s what great defenses have. It’ll take every second we have right through the season to get anywhere close to where we all want to be. But there’s certainly a group of young men and a group coaches that are working at an unbelievable clip to get that done. I’m very excited about it.”

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football defense coming together after strong spring practices