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Mayan Ahanotu ruled out for Rutgers vs. Ohio State game

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko11/04/23nickkosko59
USATSI_19279797 (1)
(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Rutgers will be down starting defensive tackle Mayan Ahanotu, according to NJ Advance Media’s Brian Fonseca.

He is the second defensive starter ruled out for the Scarlet Knights’ game against No. 1 Ohio State. Linebacker Tyreem Powell was ruled out for the season with a hand injury revealed last week.

Ahanotu, a former Minnesota transfer, was a key piece for Rutgers’ interior defensive front over the last few seasons. Now, the challenge will only be greater.

This season, Ahanotu has 11 total tackles, five solo tackles and two tackles for loss. He has 3.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss over the course of his career.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Ahanotu was a three-star recruit out of Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 155 overall prospect in the state, the No. 97 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 1,068 overall prospect in the class.

Greg Schiano on the impact of bowl eligibility for Rutgers

At 6-2, and receiving votes in the AP Poll, this is a different program since right before Greg Schiano returned to Piscataway. With No. 1 Ohio State coming to town, Schiano already detailed the challenges of playing a team like that, especially with players like Marvin Harrison Jr.

The long-time head coach is not one to look too far ahead, but he’s proud of what he’s rebuilt since 2020 and he’s not stopping anytime soon.

“The similarity is we are building a program,” Schiano said. “I keep talking about the pipeline and just like then, the pipeline wasn’t full yet. We’re getting closer. I think this (2024) class, once we get them here, will fill the pipeline.

“So then when you ask me questions about depth, we’ll have more experienced depth and when you ask me about our front line players, they will have cumulative representations. We have that in some areas, but not all yet. That’s part of building a program the way we do it.”

Rutgers had a bye week following becoming bowl eligible at Indiana. Two weeks to prepare for the now-No. 1 team in the country has its benefits. Still, it’s a tough hill to climb.