Rutgers University head football coach Greg Schiano unveiled the 2024 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football captains earlier today as the team breaks camp and prepares for their August 29 season opener against Howard University. The six players were chosen after a team vote and include three returning captains.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Rutgers football captains.
2024 Rutgers Football Captains
QB Athan Kaliakmanis
Kaliakmanis is entering his first season as a member of the Scarlet Knights. The senior quarterback transferred into the program after playing in 23 games (17 starts) over the past two seasons for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. The senior signal caller was named the starting quarterback during Spring practice after beating out 2023 starting quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. Kaliakmanis has one additional year of eligibility after the 2024 season.
DB Robert Longerbeam
Longerbeam is coming off his most productive season at Rutgers in 2023. The Alexandria, Virginia native was one of two Big Ten players with at least 10 pass breakups and ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 0.85 passes defended per game. Longerbeam was named 2023 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten member by the media and was named third-team Preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports. He has played in 41 career games for the Scarlet Knights since 2020.
DB Joe Lusardi
Lusardi is one of three Scarlet Knights to earn the captain vote for a second consecutive year. The Summit, New Jersey native has played in 37 games for the Scarlet Knights dating back to 2020. A special teams ace, Lusardi has received Academic All-Big Ten honors for three consecutive seasons.
RB Kyle Monangai
Monangai returns as a captain for the second consecutive season. The Don Bosco Prep (NJ) product was the Big Ten’s leading rusher in 2023 with 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns. Monangai capped the 2023 season with MVP honors in the Scarlet Knights 31-24 win over Miami (FL) in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. He was also named Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. Monangai has been selected to the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award watch lists for 2024.
LB Tyreem Powell
The Vineland, New Jersey native is entering his fourth full season with Scarlet Knights and has played in 33 games. Powell was leading the Scarlet Knights in tackles (53) last year before missing the final five games with an injury. Prior to the 2023 season, Powell was named to the Butkus Award watch list. He has been named to the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year watch list.
LB Mohamed Toure
Toure returns as a captain for the second consecutive season. The 2023 season was a breakout season for Toure after missing all of 2022 with an injury. The Pleasantville, New Jersey native accumulated 93 tackles including a team-high 9.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. He was named a 2023 Comeback Player of the Year semifinalist. Toure was also named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. The 37-game veteran enters 2024 as a Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten and was selected to the Butkus Award watch list.
