Rutgers football: Texas Tech QB McLane Carter transfers to Scarlet Knights

Rutgers football fans things are looking up. The Scarlet Knights just got a huge upgrade at quarterback. McLane Carter will join the Scarlet Knights this season as a graduate transfer.

Anyone who follows Rutgers football knows incumbent starting quarterback Artur Sitkowski was in way over his head last season in Big 10 play. The prospect of watching the Scarlet Knights’ offense struggle with Sitkowski at the helm again this fall, was about as appealing as having a deep cavity filled at the dentist.

There was hope that Boston College transfer Johnny Langan would, at the very least, push Sitkowski in summer training camp. So far Rutgers has not heard one way or the other if Langan will be eligible to play in 2019. Fortunately for RU a new man has entered quarterback picture. McLane Carter is headed to the Scarlet Knights as a graduate transfer from Texas Tech. He is eligible to play immediately.

Carter, whose journey to Rutgers took a long diversion, is an experienced Big 12 quarterback. After two years of JUCO ball at Tyler Junior College, the 6-3, 230-pound passer, transferred to Tech in 2017. He started the season finale against the rival Texas Longhorns after three relief appearances earlier in the season. TTU won 27-23 despite Carter’s two picks.

It was his job in 2018 and Carter started the season opener at home against Ole Miss. His stint as Red Raiders quarterback lasted all of a quarter plus. Carter left the game in the second quarter when he injured his ankle. It took him a month to get back to game-ready, but by then he lost his starting job.

Carter made three relief appearances until once again starting the season-ending game. Red Raiders starter Alan Bowman and backup Jett Duffey were unable to play so the ball was given to Carter. Despite losing 37-21 to Baylor, he threw two touchdown passes.

For his Texas Tech career, McLane Carter completed 51 of 97 passing attempts for 677 yards, with four touchdowns and four picks. Those are not gaudy numbers whatsoever. However, if Carter had enough talent to impress then Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury, he’s got something special.

In all likelihood. Carter’s arrival could signal the beginning of the end of Sitkowski’s time leading the Rutgers offense. At the worst, Langan will be eligible for 2020. The BC transfer is a local product, staring for Bergen Catholic in high school. He’s mobile and has a good arm. With true freshman Cole Snyder also in the mix, that may leave Sitkowski as the odd man out.

Landing Carter is a huge coup for Rutgers football head coach Chris Ash. The Scarlet Knights could put a scare into some of their opponents this fall in the passing game.