Rutgers Left With Hole At Quarterback After Tom Savage Transfers

Added by Gregg Snyder on January 10, 2011.

After two seasons, Tom Savage has gone from face of the program to transfer. One of the school’s most heralded recruits in history has decided to transfer, the school announced on Saturday. It is not yet determined where Savage will play next season.

Speculation has already begun as to why Savage made this decision. Was it simply from losing his starting job last season? Was it a rift about the way the coaching staff handled him? It’s unlikely we will ever hear the true reason.

With Rutgers having hired a new offensive coordinator and looking to run a true pro-style offense once again, it looked as though Savage would stay and once again become the quarterback all Rutgers fans had come to know.

After taking over as the Rutgers starting quarterback early in his freshman season, Savage gave Scarlet Knights fans something to look forward to in the future. Savage took over for Dom Natale and threw for 2,211 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. He was named to the Freshman All-American Team.

Savage entered his sophomore season as the starter. Behind a struggling offensive line, the quarterback became tentative and unsure of himself. In his fourth start of the season against Tulane, Savage injured his hand. Backup quarterback Chas Dodd took over and remained the starter for Rutgers last eight games of the season.

Dodd showed signs of promise but really was not much better than Savage. Losing your job to injury is a little hard to swallow.

As Savage transfers out of the program, Rutgers is left with just one scholarship quarterback on it’s roster. Dodd will enter has the starter, but is he really the answer? Last season after taking over for Savage, Dodd threw for 1,637 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The status of injured quarterback Steve Shimko is unknown. He could very well be done for his career. The only other quarterbacks on the Scarlet Knights roster are walk-ons, Tyler Bellia and Jason Friday.

Head coach Greg Schiano has received a verbal commitment from Manalapan High School’s Mike Bimonte. The 6’3, 215 lbs QB is rated as a 2-star quarterback as is considered by many to be some what of a project.

Rutgers will likely turn up the heat with their recruitment of Gary Nova, quarterback from Don Bosco Prep. Nova had been committed to Pittsburgh but recently decommited. Nova would be a major get for Rutgers. Landing a top player from one of the state and country’s top high school programs would be huge. Nova would be able to come in and push Dodd and Bimonte.

Having three quarterbacks to push each other and battle for the starting job would be ideal. With Savage leaving, Rutgers currently has just one in Chas Dodd.

Running back Casey Turner has also decided to transfer from Rutgers to Florida A&M.