Rutgers football: Defensive backup shifts position for Pinstripe Bowl

Rutgers moves defensive end Kenny Fletcher to tight end for Pinstripe Bowl, potentially opening up more playing time for him.

Rutgers has made a significant change to their lineup, moving sophomore Kenny Fletcher from defensive end to reserve tight end for their upcoming game against Miami at the Pinstripe Bowl. This decision comes after Fletcher played 100 snaps at defensive end across 12 appearances this season. He has been practicing with the tight end group and will be warming up with them during pregame preparations at Yankee Stadium.

It is uncertain whether this change is permanent or just a temporary adjustment for the game. However, with key starters returning to the defensive line next season, this move could potentially provide Fletcher with more playing time. In the last nine games of the 2023 regular season, he only played a few snaps, primarily as a pass rusher on third downs.

The move to tight end comes after Rutgers lost their starting tight end, Johnny Langan, to a season-ending injury. This means that Maine transfer Shawn Bowman is expected to make his fourth start of the season at the position. Behind Bowman, the depth is unproven, with limited action from redshirt sophomore Victor Konopka and redshirt freshman Mike Higgins this season.

Fletcher's performance on the defensive end was notable, with five tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack in his 12 appearances. His switch to tight end will bring him back to his high school roots, as he played the position at Delran, where he caught 72 passes for 980 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons. As a senior, he had 34 receptions for 383 yards and three touchdowns.

Overall, this move presents an opportunity for Fletcher to showcase his skills on the offensive side of the ball and potentially contribute to the team's success in a different role. It will be interesting to see how this change unfolds and if it will have a lasting impact on his position within the team.