Ranking the Big Ten offensive lines heading in 2022

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Oct 2, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) throws the ball as offensive lineman Hollin Pierce (72) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (92) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

(12.) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Offensive Line coach: Augie Huffman (1st season)
Projected line-up: LT Willie Tyler III, LG J.D. DiRenzo, C Ireland Brown, RG Reggie Sutton*, RT Hollin Pierce*

Summary: The Scarlet Knights starting five was arguably the hardest to actually land on a decision for, given an influx of transfers and injuries in 2021. Add in the loss (via transfer portal) of a quality tackle in Raiqwon O’Neal to UCLA, and it is even more difficult to project this unit.

RT Hollin Pierce is a solid player who should command a starting spot at tackle, but the inside is far messier. Rutgers added several portal additions who could factor in here, such as J.D. DiRenzo (Sacred Heart), Curtis Dunlap (Minnesota), Mike Ciaffoni (Colorado State), and OT Willie Tyler (ULM).

Ultimately, I went with DiRenzo as the starting guard across from Reggie Sutton, their top OL in 2020 who lost much of the 2021 season to a knee injury.

Ireland Brown looked best in the spring game, but center Gus Zilinskas is a prized recruit that they have high hopes for. Overall, the Rutgers OL is getting a good deal deeper, but not sure it’s enough to all of a sudden turn this into a great unit, but with a healthier and deeper group for sure, they should be steadier than last year’s unit.

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