Greg Schiano confident in offensive line under Jim Turner

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There will be many areas of the team on display as spring practices begin for Rutgers.

One area that will always be under a microscope is the offensive line. Head coach Greg Schiano has worked hard to improve this unit after it was a weakness during his early years back in Piscataway.

It has turned into a strength in recent years and will now have a new coach leading the way. Jim Turner was hired to replace Pat Flaherty as offensive line coach.

“I’m really excited about the O-line,” Schiano said during his first press conference of the spring. “I think Coach Turner is doing a great job. I know he is. I think the players have really taken to him.”

The Scarlet Knights received a major boost when both seniors Tyler Needham and Kobe Asamoah announced they would be returning to Rutgers for their final years of eligibility.

Needham has struggled with injuries over the last two years but has been a starter along the line when healthy. He played right tackle in 2024 before moving to the left side last season after Hollin Pierce left. Asamoah has started three games at left guard as a freshman but has since moved to right guard and has been there for the last 30 games.

Along with returning experience, Rutgers has some young options that provide much-needed depth during the Big Ten schedule.

“I like the offensive line. I really think that we got a chance to be good up front,” Schiano said. “And we have more depth than we’ve ever had. We have some young guys that need to ascend, and I think they’re going to.”

Needham is likely to return to right tackle with the return of Ryder Langsdale, who missed the 2025 season with an injury suffered during training camp. Taj White has transferred to Colorado so Langsdale will have a clear path to playing time on that left side.

Dantae Chin has experience starting for Rutgers and should compete for a job once again after missing a majority of the 2025 season with an injury. Moshood Giwa and Justin Cesaire will also return this year.

Schiano referred to depth that he likes this year and that was enhanced in the transfer portal. Rutgers added Everett Small from Eastern Michigan and Isaiah Cook from Delaware State.

The offensive line will be an important unit as Rutgers looks to break in a new starting quarterback. The Scarlet Knights will also want to keep the run game effective over the course of the season. This means the offensive line must be a strength once again.

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