(AP)

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

Mel Kiper Jr. was intrigued more by a Rutgers player that opted not to enter the NFL Draft, but he said Wednesday that left guard Kaleb Johnson could end up being a third-day selection.

Johnson started a Rutgers-high 50 career games at three different positions and could be a swing lineman in the NFL, where teams often carry only eight players there on game day.
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(John Blaine — For The Trentonian)

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

Tyler Kroft's drop in numbers won't noticeably affect his draft stock, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Wednesday.

Pegged as a possible All-Big Ten first teamer, Kroft finished 2014 fourth on the team in targets (42) despite playing the second-most snaps (697) as a junior.

"Kroft I thought going into the year would be a little more highly rated," Kiper said on a conference call. "I was a little surprised he came out. I think on just on pure ability, which you've seen, (he's) probably a third rounder."

RELATED: Complete breakdown of Rutgers' snaps, targets plays under Ralph Friedgen

Kroft finished last season with 269 yards on 24 receptions, noticeable lows from a 2013 performance that warranted preseason All-America honors.
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By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

The 2014 season brought a thorough return to the pro-style system head coach Kyle Flood covets, and that will likely repeat next year with offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen anticipated back.

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(AP)

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

While Rutgers' dominant Quick Lane Bowl victory Dec. 26 offered a proper sendoff to the Scarlet Knights' first season in the Big Ten, their coaching staff is already looking forward to 2015 — even if their players have a few weeks off.

With that in mind, here are five burning questions for Rutgers' offense entering the spring:
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(John Blaine — For The
 Trentonian)

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

PISCATAWAY — Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft will declare for the NFL Draft and forgo his final year of eligibility, head coach Kyle Flood announced Tuesday.

Kroft finished 2014 with 24 catches for 269 yards and no touchdowns, all drops from a sophomore season that made him a popular preseason All-America candidate.
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(AP photo)

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — While Tyler Kroft's numbers are down across the board from last year, the junior tight end is at least saving his biggest days for Rutgers' Big Ten opponents.

Against Michigan, Kroft saw six targets (third on the team), his second most this season behind his seven against Penn State.

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(AP photo)

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

Before I get to the hard numbers, some notes from Rutgers' third game of the season:
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(AP photo)

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

Rutgers' Pennsylvania-born football players explain in their own words what Saturday's Penn State matchup means to them:
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Head coach Kyle Flood has been part of FCS upsets at Hofstra and Delaware, knocking off FBS teams like USF, Connecticut and Navy. He'd like to not reverse roles Saturday against Howard.
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(AP photo)

Head coach Kyle Flood won't look ahead a week —  "You'd really better cherish and enjoy each one of those game weeks" — but the temptation is only human with a Big Ten opener looming. Your daily links:
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(AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — The play that made everyone a believer in Tyler Kroft came less than a minute after the one most wanted to forget.
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PISCATAWAY — Here's some early reaction to Rutgers' second-to-last practice before leaving for Seattle on Tuesday: 

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(AP photo)

Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft talks slot receiver Janarion Grant, his best play at Downingtown East High School (Pennsylvania) and setting his own high expectations for his first season in the Big Ten.
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While the first three days of camp have involved heavy install of Ralph Friedgen's offense, Kyle Flood has praised quarterback Gary Nova's command. Today's 12:45 p.m. practice is the last one before the team dons full pads.
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OFFENSE

Quarterback: Gary Nova OR Mike Bimonte/Blake Rankin/Chris Laviano/Devin Ray

Running back: Paul James (Savon Huggins injured ― shoulder)

Fullback: Michael Burton

Tight end: Tyler Kroft

Wide receiver (X position): Leonte Carroo

Wide receiver (Y position): Ruhann Peele

Offensive line (LT to RT): Keith Lumpkin, Kaleb Johnson, Betim Bujari, Chris Muller, Taj Alexander

DEFENSE

End: Djwany Mera

Nose tackle: Kenneth Kirksey

Three technique: Darius Hamilton

'R' end: Quanzell Lambert

Strongside linebacker: Quentin Gause

Middle linebacker: Kevin Snyder

Weakside linebacker: Steve Longa

Cornerbacks: Gareef Glashen, Anthony Cioffi

Strong safety: Lorenzo Waters

Free safety: Johnathan Aiken OR Delon Stephenson

INJURY REPORT

Out: Mezo Cooper (knee), Huggins (shoulder)

Limited: James (shoulder), Kroft (shoulder), Lambert (shoulder), Longa (lower body), Milewski (lower body), tight end Logan Lister (ankle), linebacker L.J. Liston (hamstring)

REACTION

Injuries to Huggins and James leave Rutgers pretty slim in the backfield, but Goodwin is plenty capable in a heavier role. ... No fifth-year transfers mean the Scarlet Knights' secondary remains largely unproven. ... There is little in the way of depth outside of Rutgers' top-three linebackers. ... One of the team's younger receivers (Carlton Agudosi, Janarion Grant, Andre Patton, etc.) must step up.

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Logan Lister calls Texas "everybody territory", but until his commitment any idea of a recruiting footprint for Rutgers in the Lone Star State was foreign.

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

The advent of the zone read in Rutgers' offense the last few weeks has increased tight end Tyler Kroft's assignments both at the line of scrimmage and in open field.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Tyler Kroft started talking about his affinity for Pennsylvania high school football Monday as fullback Michael Burton, from Long Valley, N.J., interrupts.

"P.A.?" Burton asks, before jokingly dismissing Kroft's claim.
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By Tyler Barto

Twitter: @Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

Rutgers' Tyler Kroft has 13 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights' last three games. For context, those numbers are nearly better than any equivalent stat by a Rutgers tight end in the last four seasons.

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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Kyle Flood said Monday he may be forced to play six or seven offensive linemen, much like he admitted early in his first season.

It is the latest development in a series of moves that have clouded the line's stability.
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