Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football 2012: A Preview of the Offensive Line

The question of who starts for the Scarlet Knights at quarterback remains an open question this season.

But, regardless of whether it is junior signal-caller, Chas Dodd, or the challenger, sophomore Gary Nova, the onus of protecting the QB in 2012 will fall to Rutgers' offensive line.

Unfortunately for the Knights, only two starting linemen from 2011 return for this season, namely sophomore tackles Kaleb Johnson and junior Andre Civil. Johnson earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America in 2011, while Civil's performance earned him the starting spot at the all-important left tackle position.

Coming out of spring camp, however, both players are competing for the left tackle job.

At left guard, junior David Osei will look to beat out junior Antwan Lowery for the starting position. Osei, who began 2011 at center, later moved to tackle by the end of the season, while Lowery started three games at guard in 2011.

The center position appears well-represented by junior Dallas Hendrikson, who will back up converted guard Betim Bujari. Hendrikson, despite being second on the spring depth chart, was named to the preseason All-Big East Fourth Team by Phil Steele Publications.

Right guard will be anchored by sophomore Taj Alexander, who is starting ahead of junior Matt McBride. In 2011, McBride saw most of his game action on special teams.

Rounding out the line at right tackle will be projected starter R.J. Dill. The 6'7", 315-pound fifth-year senior is a graduate student in his final year of eligibility. Like Dill, second-string Devon Watkis (6'7", 320 lbs) is also a fifth-year senior.

Remaining players who will compete for roster spots on the offensive line in 2012 include sophomores Hugh Ahern, Jorge Vicioso, Chris Fonti, Bryan Leoni and freshmen Keith Lumpkin, Brandon Arcidiacono, Derrick Nelson, Chris Muller, J.J. Denman and Ryan Brodie.

Much has been made during the offseason of new head coach Kyle Flood's recruiting prowess for the class of 2013, but converting those verbal promises on signing day will depend on Rutgers' success on the gridiron in 2012.

Rutgers, which runs a pro-style offense, surrendered 30 sacks last season. Offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will look to mold this relatively young, inexperienced group into a cohesive unit in time for the team's season opener against Tulane on September 1.