Rutgers relying on area players to get program on track: ‘We are New York’s team’

Greg Schiano’s dream is actually a memory.

Entering the third season of his second stint as Rutgers football head coach, Schiano wants to see New York’s professional athletes hanging out on the Scarlet Knights’ sideline watching New York-bred football stars win big games. It might sound far-fetched if Justin Tuck and David Wright hadn’t cheered on Ray Rice and his teammates at the program’s peak about 15 years ago.

“We are New York’s team: We recruit it. We are the closest to it,” Schiano told The Post. “If you remember back to when we were here last time, that became a really big part of us. We need to get back to where this becomes an event, but the only way that happens is when you win.”

Rutgers (5-8 last season) is coming off its first bowl appearance since 2014.

“If we continue to out-Rutgers people — put in the extra work that other teams aren’t — I think the sky’s the limit for us,” offensive lineman J.D. DiRenzo said.

Ten players from the five boroughs (eight of whom are expected to contribute) are part of a young roster rebuilding, after sending four rookies to NFL rosters.

“You can’t describe these moments we’re out here,” said cornerback Kessawn Abraham, one of six Erasmus Hall High School alums. “It is rare you find teammates you’ve played with all your life on this next level, so that is a blessing in its own. Competition is at an all-time high — that only makes guys better.”

Here are three other Rutgers’ storylines to follow this season, which kicks off at noon Saturday at Boston College:

Who is the quarterback?

Rutgers entered training camp with a three-way race between sixth-year senior Noah Vedral (started 20 of the last 22 games), physically transformed former four-star recruit Gavin Wimsatt (nine pass attempts as a true freshman) and Evan Simon, who is the middle option in terms of experience and arm talent.

Schiano has started multiple quarterbacks in seven of 14 total seasons at Rutgers. The excitement for a heavy dose of Wimsatt is palpable within the fan base in an era of dual threats and underclass studs.

“It’s a matter of making a decision,” Schiano said. “If it’s not clear cut, we’ll play more than one. They’re all doing a good job. I’m not worried about that. We have a lot of things we have to do well, and that’s one of them. We’ll have different packages for different guys.”

Will the Schiano formula work?

Last September’s 17-7 win against Syracuse featured a blueprint — ball-hawking defense and dominant special teams — used countless times under Schiano. It was difficult to repeat, however, as Rutgers slipped to No. 81 in total defense by season’s end.

Rutgers is breaking in an entirely new defensive staff — coordinator Joe Harasymiak and four position coaches — and retooled the special teams staff. Schiano will have his fingerprints on both. With defensive end Mo Toure, Rutgers’ two-time sack leader, out for the season after surgery, the experience in the secondary needs to show, beginning with Abraham.

“He’s the emotional heartbeat of our team,” Schiano said. “Really good player, tough, shows up to work hard, a little undersized but never lets that be an issue. If you had a lot of those guys, you’d be in good shape.”

How quickly can the offensive line jell?

Don’t be fooled by the numbers (22 sacks allowed in 13 games last season): The offensive line was a mess. And it has been the most glaring disadvantage in Big Ten play since Rutgers joined the league in 2014.

“I know we’ll be better,” Schiano said. “How much? Our schedule is harder, too, so that will come out in the wash.”

Rutgers returned three starters but added 11 new offensive linemen. It is a tall order for seven true freshmen, but the four transfers need to make an impact. None more so than DiRenzo, a Sacred Heart transfer who had dozens of major programs after his services and is eager to prove he belongs in the Power Five ranks.

“My conversations with the coaches here were very different in a good way,” DiRenzo said. “They didn’t try pitching me this fantasy that other schools did. They told me they couldn’t guarantee me anything, but if I worked really hard and followed the culture then I would get my opportunity. I knew they were being truthful in everything they said because they didn’t pitch me a dream.”

Just a chance to update some memories.