Rutgers football names starting QB as training camp battle ends

The decision is in.

Rutgers football has named Dylan Lonergan its starting quarterback, with the Boston College transfer beating out AJ Surace in a competition that began in the spring.

Lonergan and Surace, in his third year with the program, were in a close battle throughout training camp but coach Greg Schiano said following the team’s second and final scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 22 that he and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca would make their decision “soon.”

“Soon” has arrived.

Lonergan will succeed Athan Kaliakmanis as the team’s starting QB, giving him a major opportunity after an up-and-down season at Boston College, who Rutgers will play in Chestnut Hill on Sept. 11.

ESPN's Pete Thamel was first to report Lonergan had won the job.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Lonergan, a Georgia native who previously spent two seasons at Alabama as a Nick Saban recruit, completed 190-of-284 passes (66.9 percent) for 2,2025 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games (nine starts) last season.

Lonergan transferred to Rutgers in the offseason, immediately bringing experience to a quarterback room that includes Surace and Sean Ashenfelder as the other two scholarship quarterbacks.

Surace was QB2 last season, and he’s drawn praise for his strong arm, accuracy and ability to read defenses.

The son of longtime Princeton head coach Bob Surace, AJ Surace has only seen action in three games.

Now Surace will be Lonergan’s backup as the Scarlet Knights turn their focus to their Sept. 3 season opener against UMass.

Lonergan has big shoes to fill. Kaliakmanis left Rutgers ranked seventh in program history in career passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense after making 25 starts for the program.

Kaliakmanis was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Commanders.

Lonergan will command an offense that features a potential first-round draft pick in wide receiver KJ Duff and one of the elite running backs in the country in Antwan Raymond.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football names starting QB as training camp battle ends