PLAYOFFS OR BUST: Rutgers AD drops the bombshell in Preseason Interview
As the preseason gets underway, AD Hchoudhry17 sits down with the Daily Targum and shares his thoughts on last season, this upcoming season, the future, and ex AD Bryson10.
Q: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today. I know last season was a huge letdown given the expectations set by the previous season, a historic one for the program. What are your thoughts on that?
A: Well obviously, we sucked. Me, the coaches, the players, the staff, we all sucked. 4-12 is unacceptable here on the banks, and I will make darn sure a disaster like that doesn't happen again, or there will be major changes. I'm going to hope that it was an aberration and that we will be just fine this season.
Q: Don't we all. Going into this season, Rutgers wasn't very active in the transfer portal, but then along with Hart, landed the former national champion QB Wimbush. With a QB of his caliber on your roster, is he going to start over Montes?
A: Whenever you get a chance to add talent at the right time and cost, you take that chance every time. Wimbush is going to be great as a leader for the QBs in the room and for the whole team. We are excited for what will happen this season. We are in a good spot.
Q: So I'm assuming he'll start?
A: No comment. You'll see against Clemson week 1.
Q: Fair enough. As for recruitment, Rutgers got arguably its most touted recruit coming out of High School in its program history in Hollywood Brown. What are your thoughts on him and the rest of the class?
A: His name may be Hollywood, but he is as down to earth and humble as can be. Smart, disciplined and a freak athlete, he is a future captain and leader of the program. He will do wonders with Dupuis on the outside, and we have several great slot players to complement them inside, as you got a taste of against Syracuse in the scrimmage. Oruwariye and Conrad had solid camps and will don the Scarlet Red for a long time, while Barron looks like he is gonna win the kicker job after an impressive scrimmage. We had a good class.
Q: So what are your expectations this season? Obviously, playing the PAC 12 South and ACC is as tough as can get, and seeing you play 7 of your first 8 games against playoff teams, the road isn't easy this season. What do you think?
A: To be the best, you gotta beat the best. While obviously as you said 7 playoff teams in our first 8 isn't easy, it will be a good test for this team as we head into the stretch run. The fans were let down last season, but I feel we play our best when everyone counts us out like we did in our great year. Seeing the preseason rankings come out gave us a chip on our shoulder, and I expect the team to play with fire. It's playoffs or bust.
Q: Really?
A: Yep you heard that correctly. We are in a transition state after this season with several starters graduating and several other key players going on as well. This is the last year the core will remain, and we want to have one last run with these guys. Holland, Phillips, Lackey, and potentially other starters, they were the heart and soul of this team and brought credibility to the squad. We want them to go out on a high note.
Q: This season, all your divisional rivals will open up with a key new QB added to their rosters compared to last season's week 1. Iowa has its full season now with McKinley, and the Buckeyes and Michigan recruited Murray and Finley respectively. With you adding Wimbush and grooming Montes, what are your thoughts on this suddenly exciting division of QBs?
A: Good for them, they are doing what's best for their programs and we are doing what's best for ours.
Q: Are you a bit anxious going up against these QBs seeing they were highly touted coming out of high school?
A: No, we'll be fine against them. It's nothing new to be scared of.
Q: Why is that?
A: McKinley, while he has the talent, there is a reason he was driven out of Florida who wasn't exactly a world beater last season. And did you watch the debuts of Murray and Finley? I'm sure they will develop into good QBs someday, but after watching those games, we won't lose much sleep for now at least. We have the two best QBs in the division. Our young guy took us to a 14-2 division title and Rose Bowl appearance in his rookie season, while Wimbush obviously has won several championships. None of these other guys have a resume near that. But it is an exciting time for the division with the new blood.
Q: You seem very confident. What would you say is your best and worst case scenarios?
A: I don't believe in those since anything and everything can happen. But if you want an answer, worst case we go 0-16. Best case, we run the table and win the national championship.
Q: Last question. Hall of Fame AD Bryson10 stepped down this offseason after a historic career with Notre Dame and USC. You've played against them many times including twice in the playoffs, but you never beat them. What are your thoughts on him?
A: I have tremendous respect for everything he has done. It was my goal to beat him, and while we did get relatively close a couple times, close doesn't cut it. Our two best seasons in program history ended at the hands of his teams in the postseason, and I firmly believe we would have held the trophy over Alabama if we found a way to avoid or get past the Trojans two years ago. But what is done is done, and I wish him the best. We are going to keep prepping with the mindset that we will have to play him to get to where we wanna go.
Q: Thanks for your time. We'd love to talk more with you in the future. Best of luck this season!
