Rutgers defensive back Robert Longerbeam, who was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, is ready to take his game to the next level.
In 2024, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are poised to take a big step forward. While the team’s offense is key to winning more games in a loaded Big Ten, its defense is paramount to staying consistent against better competition. After all, it is a defensive unit that kept Rutgers in close games against powerhouse opponents like Ohio State. On the Rutgers defensive unit, one of the most important players is cornerback Robert Longerbeam.
Longerbeam is a rangy player who can make plays downhill in the running game or overtop in the passing game. To put it lightly, Longerbeam is vital to Rutgers’ 2024 success.
Player Spotlight: Robert Longerbeam
At the college level, a defense needs their cornerbacks to be versatile. Are they able to cover the middle of the field and the various routes playmakers run? Can they make tackles consistently? Can they be on an island? Longerbeam answers those questions and fits that mold for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 175 pounds, the cornerback has the necessary size to play cornerback at a high level. It shows in his film, as Longerbeam has fluid hips and solid upper body strength to matchup with most college wide receivers. He can play in both the slot and outside, recording 85 snaps in the slot in addition to over 500 on the outside.
How do Longerbeam’s traits and ability translate to the field? The cornerback was only targeted 65 times, allowing 280 yards on 32 receptions. He had seven pass breakups, one interception, and quarterbacks had a 70.0 QBR when targeting him.
In the run game, Longerbeam had 34 tackles and four assists, only missing seven tackles on the season. He raised his PFF run defense grade to 64.9 from 54.1, an extremely impressive one-year jump. The cornerback also had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
As an overall player, it is no surprise why Longerbeam is one of Rutgers’ best. He provides production at every possible level for the defense, fitting the mold of what a lockdown cornerback should be in the Big Ten and college football as a whole. The fun part for the Scarlet Knights, though, is that there is still room for the senior to grow.
2024 Expectations for Longerbeam
Longerbeam provides a great baseline of production when it comes to coverage and tackling, two of the biggest tenets for a player in the secondary. In 2024, that production should be no different.
As a tackler, expect Longerbeam to continue improving. In a year, he dropped his missed tackle percentage from 20 to 15.6, meaning that his hard work should help reduce that number even further. One would also anticipate the sack and pressure total to rise slightly in 2024; Longerbeam has great straight-line speed and will likely be utilized by Rutgers out of the slot for the occasional blitz.
In coverage, Longerbeam will likely keep up his same level of production. His interception total could jump up if he is more aggressive, considering he has the ball skills and athleticism necessary to make those plays. If he remains more conservative, however, he still has the traits and ability to shut down most Big Ten wideouts.
Overall, fans should expect Longerbeam to have the best season of his career in 2024. A declining missed tackle rate, combined with constantly improved coverage numbers and inside-outside versatility, is a recipe for a dominant performance. Longerbeam is already one of the best defensive players for Rutgers. If what is expected of him occurs in 2024, he will have a chance to solidify that claim.
