Football Rutgers Football names Dylan Lonergan starting quarterback for 2026 season

[Ru-baby]

First, Surace seems like a good kid and feel bad for him.

That being said, the usual anti GS posters who declare that GS did not develop Surace appear off point. In all times we have seen him (limited), he has appeared well schooled and prepared. BUT as I have pointed out from the first spring game till now, he appears smaller and less athletic than expected. Even a podcast today indicated Lonergan looked better throwing. He just appears bigger and more athletic. While it may have bene close, Lonergan may be the more physically gifted and getting a shot because of that and his ball secuirty at BC. So the lack of development appears waaaay off base.

My guess is Surace gets some shots-either in big wins or losses-and we will see if he has that moxie. I mentioned Dodd some time back and he wasnt one to wow in green shirt practice days, but was a game day player. Surace hasnt had the chance to show that and perhaps he can be. I think this is athleticism, upside, expereince and ball secuity history-and NOT develeopmnet.

 

[Shelby65]

You really don't think live game reps would help a player progress? That's crazy talk.

Shelby will agree with PSAL here. Putting a player in a hoops game with a half a minute to go so he can dribble the ball at half court and end the game doesn't help with progress. Same with football. Handing off 5 times or taking a knee is only to get the player in the box score. Absolutely no football benefit.

 

[Ramaj St. James]

In the current landscape of college football it's no longer about developing QBs. So many programs have transfer QBs starting, including the last 6 Heisman winners. You play the guy that gives you the best chance to win. Although it's not a popular opinion,there is no loyalty in cfb anymore.

 

[Knight Shift]

First, Surace seems like a good kid and feel bad for him.

That being said, the usual anti GS posters who declare that GS did not develop Surace appear off point. In all times we have seen him (limited), he has appeared well schooled and prepared. BUT as I have pointed out from the first spring game till now, he appears smaller and less athletic than expected. Even a podcast today indicated Lonergan looked better throwing. He just appears bigger and more athletic. While it may have bene close, Lonergan may be the more physically gifted and getting a shot because of that and his ball secuirty at BC. So the lack of development appears waaaay off base.

My guess is Surace gets some shots-either in big wins or losses-and we will see if he has that moxie. I mentioned Dodd some time back and he wasnt one to wow in green shirt practice days, but was a game day player. Surace hasnt had the chance to show that and perhaps he can be. I think this is athleticism, upside, expereince and ball secuity history-and NOT develeopmnet.

The azz clowns Politi and Fonseca on their rant that this is a failure of Schiano to fail to develop a QB in 7 years. That is a ridiculous, but not surprising take from two clowns. Other than Ohio State and Michigan and Oregon- which teams/coaches have developed QB successfully? Indiana-nope, both transfers. Wisconsin-nope? Nebraska- nope.

Did these idiots forget about Athan?

 

[Akademadia1028]

The azz clowns Politi and Fonseca on their rant that this is a failure of Schiano to fail to develop a QB in 7 years. That is a ridiculous, but not surprising take from two clowns. Other than Ohio State and Michigan and Oregon- which teams/coaches have developed QB successfully? Indiana-nope, both transfers. Wisconsin-nope? Nebraska- nope.

Did these idiots forget about Athan?

Ohio State won the natty with a transfer too so their point just don’t matter anymore

 

[Knight Shift]

Ohio State won the natty with a transfer too so their point just don’t matter anymore

Yeah- I did not go through every team. IIRC, Lincoln Riley is developing a QB, same for Jedd Fisch at Washington, and probably Oregon too. It's rare.

 

[Anon1753410373]

Greg needs to win now so having a qb with starting experience is worth more than someone new who will no doubt have growing pains even if the ceiling may be higher.

I just wonder if DL will have the full playbook available to him…

 

[Knight Shift]

QB development. . . . .

 

[Anon1751565407]

Clay ‘900 all-purpose yards’ Thevenin to have a big few weeks to start to the season.

 

[Rutgers Chris]

The azz clowns Politi and Fonseca on their rant that this is a failure of Schiano to fail to develop a QB in 7 years. That is a ridiculous, but not surprising take from two clowns. Other than Ohio State and Michigan and Oregon- which teams/coaches have developed QB successfully? Indiana-nope, both transfers. Wisconsin-nope? Nebraska- nope.

Did these idiots forget about Athan?

Michigan had one qb drafted who’s looking like he may already be flaming out in the nfl. Weird but almost their whole draft class from that year is lining up to be a bust. Almost like the “instincts” they were showing in college were somehow manufactured.

 

[RU0917]

Definitely bummed for AJ, thought he had a lot of promise. But as many others have said, this is the way of the world in CFB now, nothing specific to GS. If anything (and acknowledging up front that the jury's still out on Lonergan), I think this staff has hit on a pretty good way to recruit portal QBs - guys with talent, P4 experience, and multiple years of eligibility, but up and down production that allows us to buy relatively low. Worked once - we're about to see how round 2 goes. Hope Dylan kills it.

 

[Ru-baby]

Hopefully Lonergan is not being taught the RUN UP TO THE LINE as if a new play is being called when it is 98.5% a regular hand off play. Man I hope that is retired.

 

[NBKnight]

Greg needs to win now so having a qb with starting experience is worth more than someone new who will no doubt have growing pains even if the ceiling may be higher.

I just wonder if DL will have the full playbook available to him…

Why wouldn’t have the full playbook? He has been here since January and is starting his 4th season as a P4 quarterback.

 

[Rutgers Chris]

Hopefully Lonergan is not being taught the RUN UP TO THE LINE as if a new play is being called when it is 98.5% a regular hand off play. Man I hope that is retired.

I don’t get the fascination with this. Could very easily be a shifting of blocking assignments, play, direction, etc. I am quite certain it’s not going anywhere.

 

[Caliknight]

Lonergan probably got a nice pay day. Money needs to be on the field.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

Why wouldn’t have the full playbook? He has been here since January and is starting his 4th season as a P4 quarterback.

The mods on the podcast pointed out that a large percent of DL’s passes were very short and he didn’t throw down field anywhere near as much as AK. That could certainly inflate the completion percentage. Whether that was because BC wasn’t very good, he didn’t handle pressure well, that was BC’s playbook, poor OL and WR room, or lack of arm strength is not clear. We will find out. I’m 100% behind whatever the coaches decided.

 

[Caliknight]

He also didn't have a stud 6'6" receiver on the outside. If the staff doesn't throw downfield with Duff on offer, early and often, they should all be fired.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

He also didn't have a stud 6'6" receiver on the outside. If the staff doesn't throw downfield with Duff on offer, early and often, they should all be fired.

Agreed, hence the possible poor WR room comment.

 

[koleszar]

After the first poor RU offensive performance and/or loss, Surace will become the next Tom Brady and fans will be clamoring for him to start. That might happen after the first incomplete pass.

Oh, you can bet your a$$ after the first pick, I'll be sitting in those stands hands thrown in frustration yelling, "WHY THE HELL DID HE PICK THIS GUY".

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

You really don't think live game reps would help a player progress? That's crazy talk.

Perhaps. But then, Lonergan had only 8 live pass reps in 2 seasons at Alabama and went in and beat out an incumbent who split reps at BC but threw 166 passes the season prior (most on the team).

 

[MADHAT1]

The azz clowns Politi and Fonseca on their rant that this is a failure of Schiano to fail to develop a QB in 7 years. That is a ridiculous, but not surprising take from two clowns. Other than Ohio State and Michigan and Oregon- which teams/coaches have developed QB successfully? Indiana-nope, both transfers. Wisconsin-nope? Nebraska- nope.

Did these idiots forget about Athan?

If they looked on how AK became better and better in his two years at Rutgers , especially his second, they'd shut up about the lack of development;
AK's stats weren't nothing to write home to mother about when he was a Gopher and his first year as the RU starter were pretty good but dad wasn't bragging
Last season AK made everyone proud enough to smile over the RU QB situation unstead of the usual frown , proving he developed as a QB ,under Schiano , into a Commander draft pick with a chance to stick in the NFL


As for Dylan being the choice. his stats at BC were better than what Ak's last Minnie year shown
So Lonergan seems like a wise choice and if he improves like AK did , Schiano developed two real good QBs 2 years in a row .

 

[Ru-baby]

Ru-baby said:
Hopefully Lonergan is not being taught the RUN UP TO THE LINE as if a new play is being called when it is 98.5% a regular hand off play. Man I hope that is retired.

I don’t get the fascination with this. Could very easily be a shifting of blocking assignments, play, direction, etc. I am quite certain it’s not going anywhere.
/////

The "fascination" is that it is unproductive, outright telegraphed, and just plain embarrassing as taught/executed.

COULD it be used to shift assignments etc-YES. But has it been by KC-no. Thats the issue it is a lot of theater that opposing staffs have and will catch on to UNLESS changed.

(then again we could ask why we never saw an end around from Sheffield who lit up those plays at the prior stop or many other apparent stubborn/limited playbook issues. Much kudos are given to the O and OC the least few years but at some point it should be acknowledged having Athan, Monangai, Strong, Duff, Sheffield and Raymond likely had a lot do with the increased success).

 

[RUTGERS95]

The azz clowns Politi and Fonseca on their rant that this is a failure of Schiano to fail to develop a QB in 7 years. That is a ridiculous, but not surprising take from two clowns. Other than Ohio State and Michigan and Oregon- which teams/coaches have developed QB successfully? Indiana-nope, both transfers. Wisconsin-nope? Nebraska- nope.

Did these idiots forget about Athan?

those two are truly ignorant and not worth the listen

problem is, perception matters and that is one area Greg has failed miserably

 

[Rutgers Chris]

I don’t get the fascination with this. Could very easily be a shifting of blocking assignments, play, direction, etc. I am quite certain it’s not going anywhere.
/////

The "fascination" is that it is unproductive, outright telegraphed, and just plain embarrassing as taught/executed.

COULD it be used to shift assignments etc-YES. But has it been by KC-no. Thats the issue it is a lot of theater that opposing staffs have and will catch on to UNLESS changed.

(then again we could ask why we never saw an end around from Sheffield who lit up those plays at the prior stop or many other apparent stubborn/limited playbook issues. Much kudos are given to the O and OC the least few years but at some point it should be acknowledged having Athan, Monangai, Strong, Duff, Sheffield and Raymond likely had a lot do with the increased success).

When Athan ran up to the line he was absolutely either calling an audible or shifting protection/blocking. That it was the same zone read over and over is your issue which is less controversial

 

[Rutgers Chris]

BC fans happy with the decision

 

[Pils86]

Lonergan was always the favorite, better measurables and higher ranking out of HS, more experienced, no shame in transferring from Bama. I don't care if Schiano can develop qb's in this age of college football, he kind of has shown he can't, he just needs to have two capable qb's to start the season, transfers fine. Athan had great stats last year but don't think he helped much with his legs and that one brutal play. It wouldn't surprise me if Lonergan is actually better overall but may not have the same stats. Qb stats are great but wins are better.

It wouldn't surprise me if Surace transfers due to the lack of playing time last year. Beyond development players are human and want to play and have family and friends watch. Schiano never understood this and it is why we always seem to lack depth. Surace may not want to tolerate another season of ten throwing opportunities. Might have to overpay him to stay.

 

[koleszar]

Our QB has a porn stache. Yet another kid(Surace) that the staff blew smoke up our a$$ses about.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Our QB has a porn stache. Yet another kid(Surace) that the staff blew smoke up our a$$ses about.

I don't think Greg and co blew smoke up everyone's asssss. I don't recall them ever saying AJ was the heir to AK publicly??

 

[koleszar]

I don't think Greg and co blew smoke up everyone's asssss. I don't recall them ever saying AJ was the heir to AK publicly??

Plenty of articles on here about how the coaches really liked Surace and was developing nicely. It's where we got that 3 yr. bullsh*t blown up our asses.

 

[Knight Shift]

Our QB has a porn stache.

Sounds like a first round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers!

 

[Anon1751565407]

XFactor: Lonergan was a pitching prospect in high-school with a fastball topping out in the 90-94 mph range. This means he and Athan actually have very similar high-school backgrounds.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Plenty of articles on here about how the coaches really liked Surace and was developing nicely. It's where we got that 3 yr. bullsh*t blown up our asses.

sure but where did Greg blow it up our aazzes on the kid? You said the staff and I can't recall Greg and co ever doing that. Bear in mind, I want Greg shyytcanned yesterday

 

[RUTGERS95]

XFactor: Lonergan was a pitching prospect in high-school with a fastball topping out in the 90-94 mph range. This means he and Athan actually have very similar high-school backgrounds.

yeah well no one cares how fast ball 4 is...lol I kid I kid

 

[MADHAT1]

Plenty of articles on here about how the coaches really liked Surace and was developing nicely. It's where we got that 3 yr. bullsh*t blown up our asses.

They liked AJ and gave him every reason to try his best praising how he was improving, but the coaching staff wasn't going to hand either the job just because they looked better then they were before the race for #1 started
Dylan was praised to during the battle for #1 it wasn't just one getting the praise then being shafted..

AJ was given complements to boost his confidence in his abilities , you can be sure the other QBs received praise as well .
No coach will tell a player competing for a starting role that he isn't good enough unless he wants that player to think about transferring ,

 

[Scarlet_Craig]

Either guy will probably be a downgrade from Athan

That's the spirit

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Lonergan probably got a nice pay day. Money needs to be on the field.

I’m sure both of them are getting paid and it’s well worth the cost. One injury could destroy the whole season.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

He also didn't have a stud 6'6" receiver on the outside. If the staff doesn't throw downfield with Duff on offer, early and often, they should all be fired.

The first clue was that Duff’s decision to stay was contingent on us bringing in a proven QB. He wasn’t taking chances with someone unproven. I get your other point but a couple more garbage time reps wasn’t changing this.

 

[Richie O]

Agreed, hence the possible poor WR room comment.

BC actually had solid skill guys.

- WR Lewis Bond was sixth round pick and is impressing early in camp
- WR Reed Harris now expected to be a top WR at ASU
- RB Turbo Richard is expected to be RB1 at Indiana this year
- TE Chudzikski is out for years but one of the best in CFB

The OLine, play calling, and the defense were pretty bad last year though for BC, three major keys to winning.

 

[RU#1fan]

Why “ouch”? We have two star playmaking position players which figures to mean QB accuracy would be a hugely important metric. Lonergan completed 67% of his passes and threw a grand total of only 5 picks in a sample size of almost 300 passes with a collection of receivers who were nowhere near as good as KJ Duff. How many QBs in RU history do you think have come close in this level of accuracy?

I’m not sure why anyone ever assumed Surace would come in with no game experience at all and beat him out.

No game experience is totally the fault of our substandard HC Schiano. How does he ever get a chance to start when he is never given the opportunity to play (experience).

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

No game experience is totally the fault of our substandard HC Schiano. How does he ever get a chance to start when he is never given the opportunity to play (experience).

Stop - Lonergan did not get any experience at Alabama either and went into BC last year and beat out an incumbent in preseason.

The notion that this outcome would be different if we found 20 or so more garbage time reps for him last season is ridiculous. Our defense sucked. We couldn’t afford to take AK out of most games.