2016 Spring Camp Practice 7 Quick Observations: Hayden Rettig takes bulk of team reps during read-option drills

By Greg Johnson

Twitter: @gregp_j

gjohnson@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Officially two weeks into camp, Rutgers is now just a little more than two weeks out from the school's first Scarlet-White spring game in the Chris Ash Era.

Each Thursday, reporters are permitted to observe the first hour of practice. Here are some quick takes on what transpired during Rutgers' third open session:

                         (Greg Johnson / Trentonian Photo)

• Rutgers head wrestling coach Scott Goodale visited practice. He spoke to the team following Ash's opening remarks about 10 minutes in (photo above). More on his impact when Ash speaks with us shortly after noon in the Hale Center.

• Once again, at least a few dozen recruits from the 2017 and 2018 high school classes were in attendance. It's become a common theme under the Ash regime as the program looks to elevate its Garden State recruiting.

• During practice availability from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rutgers ran through seven different periods of workouts. My eyes gravitated mostly toward the quarterbacks:

-- Three pairs of QBs played catch while stutter stepping in the pocket before releasing. The pairs were Chris Laviano/Troy Anthony, Jack Clements/Michael Dare, Gio Rescigno/Hayden Rettig.

-- Team drills ensued shortly after. The QBs tossed an array of endzone routes from shotgun to WRs/TEs at both ends of the Bubble. Laviano/Rettig took the first reps as a pair, each throwing to one receiver off to the left/right. Rescigno/Dare followed them. Janarion Grant continues to stand out as one of Rutgers' more sure-handed receivers who will likely be heavily featured in this offense as a senior. Andre Patton, Dontae Owens, Nick Arcidiacono, Charles Scarff, Rashad Blunt and John Tsimis were among other receivers seeing plenty of action.

-- The most intriguing portion of availability came at 10:22. Rutgers transitioned into read-option team drills with both offensive and defensive linemen. Clapping his hands from the gun Ohio State-style, Rettig received all of the quarterbacks reps (at least a dozen) before media left at 10:30. We'll have Ash's take on that soon. Josh Hicks, Robert Martin and Justin Goodwin all took reps at running back, though Hicks receiver the most. As far as Rettig goes, Laviano took the first-team reps during Rutgers' first scrimmage last Saturday, so until we hear Ash suggest any separation between the two, it's a rotation at QB. But as far as competition at that position goes, both appear to be ahead of Rescigno, whom offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer said had some mechanical issues to clean up on March 26.