By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Jamal Merrell says he's up to 230 pounds, the most he's carried in his career, in an attempt to show NFL scouts he can add bulk while moving in coverage.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Neither Kyle Flood nor Jamil Merrell wanted to use injuries as an excuse for Rutgers' 49-14 loss Saturday to Houston, but its depleted defense is hard to ignore.

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Head coach Kyle Flood said he leaves an availability decision on quarterback Gary Nova to Rutgers' medical personnel. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamil Merrell estimates he played 10-12 snaps Saturday against Eastern Michigan, his first game of the season. Merrell suffered a foot injury Aug. 10 in the team's first scrimmage.
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A kidney injury kept Jamal Merrell, right, from attending Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan. Twin brother Jamil Merrell talked to him Sunday night. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

A mysterious kidney injury sidelined Jamal Merrell in Rutgers' game Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but twin brother Jamil Merrell said Monday his condition is improving.
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Kyle Flood's defense enjoyed its best pass rush in nearly two years Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but lingering tackling issues remain. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamil Merrell admits he was sore following Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan, but it was one of few residual effects of his presence that were negative.
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A lower-body injury sidelined Jamil Merrell in Rutgers' Week 1 loss at Fresno State. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Kyle Flood's weekly injury report lists Jamil Merrell's status (foot) for Saturday's home opener against Norfolk State as a game-time decision.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Expect Jamal Merrell to inherit Steve Beauharnais' role as an edge rusher on third downs this season.

The fifth-year senior is gearing up as a pass rusher after primarily serving in pass coverage the last two seasons. 
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Jamil Merrell said he wouldn't be surprised if he moved to defensive tackle on passing downs, opening up potential for four pass rushers on a given play. Four-and-a-half of his 5.5 sacks in 2012 came at tackle. (Tyler Barto)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Jamil Merrell, now at defensive end, said Sunday he wouldn't be surprised if he moved inside on passing downs. The look would give Rutgers four pass rushers across the line, potentially including 257-pound three-technique Darius Hamilton.

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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Keith Lumpkin is 6-foot-8, weighs 315 pounds and has a seven-foot wingspan.

And yet, as Rutgers adds more movement-centric zone-blocking schemes, could Lumpkin's size be a liability? Lumpkin, pegged as Rutgers' starting left tackle, doesn't think so.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Brandon Coleman, Jamal and Jamil Merrell and Gary Nova are team captains.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than a month remains until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013.
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By Tyler Barto

Twitter: Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Fifth-year senior Isaac Holmes was available to the media today for the first time since the end of spring practice. 

The nose tackle talks about the state of Rutgers' d-line in our Trentonian story for Wednesday here, but here's what Holmes said that didn't make the cut:

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