PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football has some big shoes to fill on its offensive line.
Actually, some massive ones.
“Close to size-20 shoes,” offensive line coach Pat Flaherty said.
Replacing Hollin Pierce, who made 50 consecutive starts, at left tackle will be the toughest test facing Flaherty and the Scarlet Knights as they head into next season. But the good news for the Scarlet Knights is there’s plenty of continuity for the rest of the unit.
That’s significant considering a few years ago the Scarlet Knights’ offensive line was a huge question mark in the earliest seasons of Greg Schiano’s return.
Now it’s becoming a strength.
“There’s experience there,” Flaherty said. “Are they ready to play in a Big Ten season right now or against Ohio University (in the season opener)? Not yet. That’s what practice is for. But I have confidence that group, that offensive line, is going to step up and be dang good.”
That experience starts at center with Gus Zilinskas, who’s started every game each of the last two seasons. Kobe Asamoah started every game last season at right guard, while Tyler Needham, who started nine games at right tackle in 2024, also returns and is a candidate to move to the left side to replace Pierce. Bryan Felter, who started four games at left guard last season, is limited in the spring while recovery from an injury but he also brings valuable experience.
Add in players like Taj White, who made five starts at left guard and four at right tackle last season and Dantae Chin, who made four starts left guard, and the Scarlet Knights have some solid potential in the unit.
Flaherty said that if Needham sticks at left tackle, White would be the “next guy up” at right tackle.
“Taj has played,” Flaherty said. “He’s played at guard. He’s played in Big Ten games. The whole group in the winter program, they’ve done an excellent job. They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them.”
That’s good news for a unit that made clear strides last season, especially blocking for 1,000-yard rusher in Kyle Monangai.
While pass protection was more inconsistent, it was still an improvement. And the bond that quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has developed with the unit has stood out to Flaherty, a veteran offensive line coach who guided the unit that protected Eli Manning and won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
