News:D.C. Jefferson had three catches for 27 yards on Saturday against Kent State.
Analysis:D.C. Jefferson has had a quiet season as other large targets have come to the fore for Rutgers. The 6-6 tight end has not had more than four catches and 38 yards in any game.
News:D.C. Jefferson had four receptions for 38 yards in the over South Florida on Thursday.
Analysis: The tight end also had penalties on two early plays, but settled down to make a couple of very nice grabs. D.C. Jefferson is just one of many huge Scarlet Knight receiving targets.
Rutgers' D.C. Jefferson Likely to Start vs. Green Wave
News:D.C. Jefferson will likely start in the Rutgers opener because of an unspecified injury to Paul Carrezola, according to the Star-Ledger.
Analysis:D.C. Jefferson was expected to start coming into the season, but came back slowly from offseason ankle surgery. He will likely return to the starting lineup, but you are probably better off going with another tight end option for the opening week until the depth chart stabilizes for the Scarlet Knights.
News:D.C. Jefferson will back up Paul Carrezola to start the season, according to the Star-Ledger.
Analysis:D.C. Jefferson was named to the Mackey Award Watch List, but had offseason ankle surgery and is still working his way back into shape. He only had 12 receptions for 118 yards in 2011, but was expected to be a big part of the Scarlet Knight offense. You may need to be patient with him while someone else starts in your fantasy lineup.
News:D.C. Jefferson has come to camp 25 pounds lighter than a year ago and is hopeful to be a big part of the Scarlet Knights' offense, according to Tom Luicci of The Star Ledger.
Analysis:D.C. Jefferson was limited to 12 receptions for 118 yards as a junior in 2011. He was slowed by injuries, but was not a big part of the Rutgers offense. With new offensive coordinator Dave Brock in place, Jefferson - who is on the Mackey Award list - might have the opportunity to have a breakout season.
News: Rutgers will start D.C. Jefferson at tight end today against North Carolina. Paul Carrezola got the start last week against North Carolina Central.
Analysis: Jefferson's a very good athlete, and maybe he can find some openings down the field. But Carrezola will still get reps, which likely means that there are better options for your fantasy team.
News: While much of the focus at tight end for Rutgers tends to shift towards D.C. Jefferson, another player stepped up during fall camp and could be a factor this season. Paul Carrezola, who saw limited action last season, is a good fit in Frank Cignetti's pro-style attack and will be heard from this year.
Analysis: The question for Carrezola is how many passes head his way given Rutgers' strength at wide receiver in addition to Jefferson. But he will get onto the field more, and that's a big part of the battle for Carrezola.
News: Rutgers tight end Anthony La Lota informed head coach Greg Schiano of his decision to leave the team and focus on his education. La Lota was the top-ranked prep prospect in New Jersey back in 2009.
Analysis: La Lota transferred to Rutgers from Michigan after two games last season to be closer to home, and with the likes of D.C. Jefferson on the field it was going to be tough for him to see much playing time.
News: ![CDATA[Four Big East players were named to the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award last week, an award given to the nation's best tight end. The four players are: Josh Chichester (Louisville), Ryan Griffin (Connecticut), D.C. Jefferson (Rutgers) and Nick Provo (Syracuse).
]]
Analysis: The last Big East player to win the Mackey was Miami's Kellen Winslow Jr. back in 2003. Something interesting about this watch list is that a player who would have been a lock for it (WVU's Tyler Urban) is now a slot receiver in order to fit new head coach Dana Holgorsen's system.
News: Jefferson (ankle) has been significantly limited in Rutgers' past five games, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Jefferson hasn't made an impact at tight end this year and, given how unimpressive Tom Savage and Chas Dodd have been for the Scarlet Knights, we have to wonder if Rutgers made a big error by not playing Jefferson at quarterback, where he was originally recruited. Jefferson could be on the quarterback depth chart for Auburn or LSU right now, but he did Rutgers a favor. He hasn't exactly been rewarded thus far.
News: Jefferson caught two passes for 57 yards Saturday against Army.
Analysis: Jefferson hasn't put up big numbers this year but he's a decent tight end option in Big East only leagues.
News: Jefferson caught four passes for 57 yards Friday against Connecticut.
Analysis: Jefferson hasn't done much lately, but finally produced with Chas Dodd throwing him the ball.
News: Jefferson only caught one pass but it went for 24 yards an a touchdown against Florida International.
Analysis: The Scarlet Knights' passing game has not been very productive this year, so Jefferson doesn't have a lot of value.
News: Jefferson caught one pass for 25 yards in Rutgers' win against Norfolk State.
Analysis: Jefferson is the Scarlet Knight's top option at tight end, but they didn't need to throw the ball much against Norfolk State.
News: Jefferson had two catches for 24 yards in Rutgers' win against South Florida on Thursday.
Analysis: These were Jefferson's first two catches of the year. He should remain a non-factor for the rest of the season.
News: Jefferson has moved ahead of Shamar Graves at tight end, ESPN reports.
Analysis: Jefferson moved to tight end from quarterback late in summer camp, so his role in the offense could grow quickly.
News: With the Rutgers quarterback competition down to Dom Natale and Tom Savage, Jefferson will move to tight end in an attempt to see the field this year, the Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: This might end up being a one year experiment, as Jabu Lovelace and Dom Natale will both be gone next year, leaving a competition between Savage and Jefferson for the quarterback spot. For now, the 6-6, 240 pound Jefferson will try to see the field as a tight end. Junior Shamar Graves, who posted 227 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches last year, will likely start over Jefferson.
Rutgers' Jefferson not on Two-Deep, but Competitive at QB
News: Though not listed on Rutgers' two-deep depth chart at quarterback, Jefferson is, according to head coach Greg Schiano, "in the mix" for the starting role, MyCentralJersey.com reports.
Analysis: "He's right in the middle of it," says Schiano of the redshirt freshman, who is currently in competition for starting quarterback with Dom Natale and Jabu Lovelace, as well as redshirt freshman Steve Shimko and true freshman Tom Savage. "It's hard to get five guys repetitions, but everything is watched on video and it's all being charted," adds Schiano. "So they're all in the mix."
