Recently, Athlon Sports released its Preseason All-Big Ten team in its magazine entitled, “Athlon Sports 2024 College Football Preview Magazine.” Rutgers saw seven of its current players make the list, four of which came on the defensive side of the ball, two from the offense, and one from the special teams unit. While no Scarlet Knights made the first team All-Big Ten list, Rutgers was a school commonly mentioned on the other three All-Big Ten lists behind it.
Knights on Athlon’s Second Team All-Big Ten
Three Scarlet Knights earned themselves a spot on the Second Team All-Big Ten squad. These Knights are running back Kyle Monangai, linebacker Mohamed Toure, and offensive lineman Holland Pierce. Many Rutgers fans and Big Ten fans across the board have been arguing that Monangai should be on the first team All-Big Ten. This is because Monangai holds the Big Ten rushing crown and led the league in rushing yards last year. Monangai came in behind both Ohio State running backs and Donovan Edwards from Michigan.
Holland Pierce, the Knights’ second player on the list, played a major role at left tackle. Pierce was ranked as the sixth-best tackle in the Big Ten last year and was the anchor to a line that gave up the least amount of sacks in the Big Ten last year. Rutgers’ third player to make the second team was Mohamed Toure who had a great bounce-back season last year, totaling 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. The New Jersey native was named a Comeback Player of the Year finalist.
Knights on Athlon’s Third Team All-Big Ten
Three Scarlet Knights made Athlon’s fourth team. Those Knights are defensive lineman Aaron Lewis, defensive back Robert Longerbeam, and kicker Jai Patel. This is the second season in a row that Lewis has earned All-Big Ten honors. In 2023, he totaled 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks and he is currently rated as the No. 12 edge defender in the Big Ten. Despite all he has accomplished, he is still expected to take a jump this year, especially in the sack department because he has some of the most quarterback hits in the nation but only three sacks to show for it.
Longerbeam last season took a major step totaling 10 pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles, one sack, and 43 tackles. This is his first season making an All-Big Ten team but he was an honorable mention by the media when they voted on an All-Big Ten team last year.
Last on the All-Big Ten third team was kicker Jai Patel. He currently holds the most accurate season percentage in Rutgers history when it comes to field goals, nailing 15 out of 18. He also hit two kicks beyond the 50-yard mark and had a team-best 78 points on the season. You cannot ask for much better from a college kicker.
Knights on Athlon’s Fourth Team All-Big Ten
Finally, to round out all the Scarlet Knights who earned All-Big Ten honors, we have the only member who landed on the fourth team, Flip Dixon. Last season Dixon recorded 73 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and six pass breakups earning himself the rank of No.12 in the Big Ten as far as safeties are concerned. Dixon, much like Lewis, is another player who is expected to take another leap forward, especially now since he will be forced into a much bigger role with the off-season departures in the secondary like Max Melton.
