PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football is represented with seven Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the recently released Athlon Sports "2024 College Football Preview Magazine." RB Kyle Monangai, OL Hollin Pierce and LB Mohamed Toure all earned second-team recognition, while DL Aaron Lewis, DB Robert Longerbeam and PK Jai Patel were each named to the third team. DB Flip Dixon merited a spot on the fourth team.


KYLE MONANGAI
The Big Ten's leading rusher in 2023, Monangai racked up 1,262 rushing yards with seven 100-yard games and three with 150 or more yards. The running back was voted Second Team All-Big Ten, ranked No. 12 nationally, second in the league and sixth in the school record book with 242 carries. He scored eight touchdowns, including a score on 163 rushing yards to garner MVP in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami. The Roseland, New Jersey, native rated as the top running back in the Big Ten, best in the Power 5 and No. 5 nationally by Pro Football Focus. Monangai is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.


HOLLIN PIERCE
Pierce is set to enter the season having started 37 consecutive games on the Scarlet Knights' offensive line, the longest active streak on the roster. That included starting all 13 games at left tackle in 2023 and being voted honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. The Trenton, New Jersey, native was also rated the sixth-best tackle in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Rutgers led the league in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.08) and ranked fifth in rushing (168.7). The season was capped by 208 rushing yards and no sacks against in the win over Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.


MOHAMED TOURE
Toure returned to the field after missing the 2022 season to play all 13 games and rank second on the defense with 93 tackles, including a team-high 9.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He posted a career-high 11 stops versus Maryland and had an interception against Ohio State. The linebacker from Pleasantville, New Jersey, was named as a Comeback Player of the Year semifinalist, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in the coaches and media votes and rated as the No. 7 linebacker in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.


AARON LEWIS
Lewis has earned All-Big Ten honors each of the past two seasons. In 2023, the defensive lineman totaled 51 tackles with five for loss and three sacks, adding two pass breakups in starting all 13 games. The performance rated Lewis as the No. 12 edge defender in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. The Williamstown, New Jersey, native recorded a season-high eight tackles in the win over Virginia Tech, adding a stop on a two-point conversion attempt. Lewis also earned Academic All-Big Ten status last year.


ROBERT LONGERBEAM
Longerbeam was one of two players in the Big Ten with double-digit pass breakups in 2023, ranking fourth in the league with 0.85 passes defended per game (10 breakups, one interception). That included three passes deflected in the win at Indiana and two fumbles forced in the comeback over Michigan State. The cornerback from Alexandria, Virginia, additionally had a pick versus Northwestern, a sack against Virginia Tech, pounced on a muffed punt at Indiana and totaled 43 tackles in 13 starts. He was voted honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media and is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.


JAI PATEL
Patel is coming off the most accurate field goal season in program history, converting 15-of-18 (83.3 percent) attempts. The performance garnered Third Team All-Big Ten in the media vote. The Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, native went 13-of-14 on kicks inside of 50 yards, while adding two makes of at least 50 yards. The season included four games with multiples makes and twice going 3-for-3. He hit from a season-long 51 yards versus Temple on the way to earning Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Patel added 33 extra points for a team-best 78 points and collected Academic All-Big Ten accolades.


FLIP DIXON
In his first season with the Scarlet Knights, Dixon started all 13 games with 76 tackles to lead the secondary and rank third on the team. The performance garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten status by the media, a spot on the All-ECAC Defense and being slotted as the No. 12 safety in the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus. The Statesboro, Georgia, native hauled in an interception against Virginia Tech, forced a fumble versus Maryland and totaled six pass breakups. Dixon is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Join in the action this fall at SHI Stadium as Rutgers football hosts seven home games, including five Big Ten opponents. Season tickets are on sale now. To purchase, visit ScarletKnights.com/tickets or call 866-445-GORU (4678). Benefits to being a season ticket holder include an exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking within walking distance on Busch campus, a payment plan option and other Rutgers ticket offers throughout the year. Purchasing season tickets directly supports student-athletes.

2024 Rutgers Football Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 29 (6 p.m., Big Ten Network) vs. Howard (Youth Football Night)
Saturday, Sept. 7 (Noon, Big Ten Network) vs. Akron (R Community Game)
Saturday, Sept. 21 at Virginia Tech
Friday, Sept. 27 (8 p.m., FOX) vs. Washington* (Blackout)
Saturday, Oct. 5 (Noon, 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m.) at Nebraska*
Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Wisconsin* (Scarlet Out)
Saturday, Oct. 19 (Noon, 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m.) vs. UCLA* (Homecoming & Family Weekend)
Friday, Oct. 25 (11 p.m., FOX) at USC*
Saturday, Nov. 9 vs. Minnesota*
Saturday, Nov. 16 at Maryland*
Saturday, Nov. 23 vs. Illinois*
Saturday, Nov. 30 at Michigan State*
* - Big Ten game
All times Eastern

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