By Matt Sugam

On a defense with changes just about everywhere, one mainstay is Scott Vallone. But anywhere the rising redshirt junior glances, he sees new linemen next to him.

There’s defensive end Justin Francis or Manny Abreu—who moved to the line after four years at linebacker—on one side, and fellow defensive tackle Michael Larrow on the other.

With all the changes due to the graduation of defensive tackle Charlie Noonan and defensive ends Alex Silvestoro and Jonathan Freeny, Vallone notices the changes, but it’s nothing that concerns him.

“It’s definitely a little bit different,” Vallone said. “But there’s a sense of security just in the fact that Francis played a lot, Manny [Abreu’s] played a lot, and Mike [Larrow] played a little bit at the end of last year.”

Even with the confidence he has in the line, Vallone knows they still have a lot of work to do. And that starts with him and his new role as a leader.

While the 6-3, 270-pounder doesn’t hesitate to be vocal, he sees himself as more of a lead by example player.

“[My leadership comes] more through my play and my hustle and all those kind of things,” Vallone said. “When guys see that, they want to emulate you.”

For the defensive line to be successful Vallone will have play as well as he did in the first half of the season unlike his second half. They are struggles the Central Islip, N.Y. native still can’t put his finger on.

“I’m not too sure. I try not to focus on it,” Vallone said. “I thought I played well the first half, the second half dipped off and that kind of went along with everyone on the defense.”

The defense went from one of the best in the country—allowing 15.3 points, 123.3 rushing yards, 169.2 passing yards and 292.5 total yards—to one of the worst—allowing 37.7, 189.5 rushing yards 266.3 passing yards and 455.8 total yards.

That’s something Vallone is looking to put behind him

“I’m putting that in the past,” Vallone said. “Working towards the season, focusing mostly on the spring.”

Notes:

Around three dozen recruits were on hand to take in practice today. With morning practices during the week, this will be the norm this spring,

“With practice in the morning some kids will use college visits to come down for the day,” head coach Greg Schiano said. “Not many can do that so Saturday’s will be huge for us

The third practice marked the first day in pads.

Wind once again had an affect on the quarterbacks throwing the ball.

“It’s impacted it,” Schiano said. ”I think there were some good throws and there were some duck float throws. Some of it’s the wind.”

Rutgers will have three inter-squad scrimmages, the third of which will be the spring game on April 30 at Rutgers Stadium.