Austin and Wharton Gaining Experience
Nov 27 | Football
By Tom Luicci
Scarlet Knights.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - It wasn't that long ago that they were making their collegiate debuts. Isaiah Wharton and Blessuan Austin both started the season opener.
But as Rutgers' two starting freshmen cornerbacks near the end of their first regular season, having combined for 20 starts heading onto Saturday's home finale against Maryland, they've flipped the script. They're still young, but they're no longer inexperienced - or untested.
Now, suddenly, they're part of a promising future for the Scarlet Knights' secondary.
"We might have been seen as a weakness when the season started but each and every day we've worked to become a strength and I think we're getting there," said Wharton, a 6-1, 210-pound redshirt freshman from Kissimmee, Fla. "I look at this whole season as being a blessing. Some people may look at it as crazy because of the way it happened.
"But I feel I really took advantage of the opportunity I was given. I'm sure (Austin) does, too."
Austin, a 6-1, 185-pound true freshman from Queens, N.Y., by way of Milford Academy (N.Y.), says he sees the change in himself every time he's watching film now.
"It's confidence, it's technique and it's knowing what I'm doing on the field. I see the growth I've made," he said. "I'm definitely more composed now. Your first few games as a freshman you're going to have some jitters. You haven't played at this level before in your life and you're out there in front of thousands of fans. You're going to feel some type of nervousness. But that's not the case anymore."
What Wharton and Austin immediately brought to a secondary that desperately and unexpectedly needed help was athleticism and size. Going forward, they'll add experience to that.
The season, in fact, has been a prolonged crash course in a variety of offenses, from Washington State's fast-tempo to Indiana's no huddle to Wisconsin's power running game to a dual threat quarterback at Ohio State to Penn State's pro-style offense to Army's triple option.
"I feel like we've seen it all," said Wharton. "I've learned a lot about the game from formations to tendencies, things like that, because of all the different offenses we've seen. Each week I feel like I learn something new about the game. It's very detailed.
"This year has been all about growth for me. There have been ups and downs but the experience I'm getting now is going to help in the future. I've wanted an opportunity like this for a long time."
Wharton has had the better season statistically, ranking fourth on the team with 50 tackles, leading the defense with six pass breakups and recording an interception while starting all 11 games so far.
But Austin has the unforgettable highlight - a 50-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown at Wisconsin. He has started nine games, missing one so far due to an injury.
"It felt great to get into the end zone once again and get that feeling," said Austin, who also played quarterback in prep school. "People are always asking me if I'm surprised by what I've done this year. It doesn't really come as a surprise to me. I knew what I was capable of doing if I had the chance.
"I mean, it happened real fast, but it hasn't come as a surprise."
With the Terps' uncertain quarterback situation for Saturday, Austin and Wharton - in game 12 - may finally have the advantage. Maryland's 28 interceptions, the result of constantly changing quarterbacks, are the most in the country.
That could mean opportunities for both Wharton and Austin, although they have their sights set on something bigger now that they have almost a full season of experience and burgeoning confidence.
"We want to bring Defensive Back U. back to Rutgers," Wharton said. "You see all the defensive backs from here playing in the NFL now. We want to carry on that legacy."
