Rutgers names Dylan Lonergan starting QB for 2026 season
Rutgers has named Dylan Lonergan its starting quarterback for the 2026 season, ending a prolonged camp battle with redshirt sophomore AJ Surace. The Boston College transfer will start the Sept. 3 opener against UMass, televised on BTN at 6 p.m. ET, ESPN first reported Monday morning.
Key Takeaways
- Dylan Lonergan beat out AJ Surace after a spring and training-camp competition coaches called too close to call.
- The redshirt junior transfer starts Week 1 vs. UMass on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. ET on BTN.
- Lonergan threw for 2,025 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions at Boston College in 2025.
- He replaces Athan Kaliakmanis, who passed for 5,820 yards and 48 touchdowns across 25 Rutgers starts.
- Coach Greg Schiano said he prefers one quarterback so that player can grow into the job.
The decision landed early Monday after Rutgers wrapped its final training-camp scrimmage Saturday without naming a starter. Head coach Greg Schiano had said a call on Surace or Lonergan was coming soon. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Lonergan won the job.
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Who is Dylan Lonergan and why did Rutgers choose him?
Lonergan is a 6-foot-2, 211-pound former four-star recruit from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. On3 ranked him No. 182 overall and No. 16 among quarterbacks in the 2023 class before he signed with Alabama under Nick Saban.
He appeared in three games over two seasons with the Crimson Tide, then transferred to Boston College. In 2025 he was the Eagles' primary starter, playing 487 snaps across 10 appearances and nine starts while completing 66.9% of his passes (190-of-284).
247Sports noted Lonergan brings experience and still has two years of eligibility remaining. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca said in the spring that Lonergan's skill set fit the offense and that he saw growth potential.
How close was the battle with AJ Surace?
Surace, a redshirt sophomore who backed up Kaliakmanis for two seasons in Piscataway, pushed Lonergan through spring and summer camp. Rutgers coaches described an even fight between "two similar quarterbacks" with strong mentality, maturity and leadership.
After Saturday's scrimmage, Schiano framed the choice as the "total body of work," saying he was confident in both players but had to pick one. Per NJ.com, Schiano wants the starter to feel he is "our guy" and prefers playing one quarterback unless circumstances demand otherwise.
On3 lists Surace, redshirt freshman Sean Ashenfelder and true freshman Xavier Stearn behind Lonergan on the depth chart.
What does this mean for Rutgers' 2026 season opener?
Lonergan steps into a role vacated by Kaliakmanis, one of the most productive quarterbacks in program history. Kaliakmanis threw for 5,820 yards, 48 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 57.9% passing across 25 starts, including a 3,124-yard season last fall.
Rutgers is coming off a 5-7 year without a bowl bid. A win over UMass on Sept. 3 would be an early step toward bowl eligibility. The Scarlet Knights host that opener with Lonergan under center and the QB debate, at least for now, settled.