Rutgers football: A loyal lineman goes out with his boots on
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PISCATAWAY – Bryan Felter’s college football debut took place in near-total silence as the pandemic grinded most of the world to a halt.
Six seasons later, he was awash in ear-splitting roars as Rutgers pushed Penn State to the brink before falling 40-36, thanks largely to the performance of his offensive line.
Between that humble beginning and raucous finish, Felter made 32 starts for the Scarlet Knights, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, blew out his knee, got married, and decided to return to the banks for his final season of eligibility.
“It was the best decision I ever made,” the Bergen Catholic High School grad said. “I love this place. Six years ago just I was a little kid. I grew up here. I became a man here. And I give all the credit to the coaches and the program for helping me along the way.”
He went out with his boots on as Rutgers compiled 533 yards of offense against the Nittany Lions. Its first two touchdowns were runs behind Felter’s blocks at left guard – an Antwan Raymond 19-yarder around left end and an Athan Kaliakmanis 2-yard dive directly behind him.
“I’m beyond proud of those guys,” Felter said of his fellow linemen. “Never complain, always go to work, and they don’t look up until the final whistle blows.”
The Westfield native committed to Rutgers so long ago, Chris Ash was the head coach. During that pandemic season Felter made six starts – the program’s most by a true freshman offensive lineman since 2011. In 2024 he was coming off his best season when he blew out his knee during the fourth game. Yet he stayed on the field and finished out the contest while limping, getting the bad news the next day.
“I had an idea,” he would say later, “but the game was more important than myself.”
That’s the credo for offensive linemen, who are the are guts but rarely get the glory. So it flew under the radar when he decided to use his final season of eligibility, but those inside the program knew the significance – especially after All-Big Ten tackle Hollin Pierce went off to the NFL.
The results speak for themselves: Rutgers produced a 3,000-yeard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2007 and just the second time ever.
“All year long, proud of the toughness (the offensive line) displayed,” head coach Greg Schiano said.
Felter’s journey would have been a good story any year, but it’s especially resonant now, when the transfer portal enables players to change schools like socks.
“This has always been home,” he said. “I’m not the type of person who backs out when things get rough. I was going to finish what I started.”
He finished with a flourish on Senior Day, which turned out to be the second-most meaningful event of his year. On April 12 Felter got married to his girlfriend Christina, and the two are expecting a baby daughter in the spring.
She can rest assured that her husband knows a thing or two about commitment.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football: A loyal lineman goes out with his boots on
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