PISCATAWAY, N.J. — A knee injury suffered last spring has helped Mohamed Toure bring a new outlook and perspective into this offseason. The Rutgers football linebacker took the time to not just rehabilitate and get stronger, but also to better understand the defense he projects to be a huge part in.
The injury happened last spring when, in a one-on-one drill, Toure overextended his knee. The torn ACL meant that Toure was out for the season.
It was a season where Toure was supposed to be a star player for Rutgers and a breakout candidate in the Big Ten.
But instead of hanging his head, Toure got to work. He got stronger and worked his way back to being ready to participate in spring practice. He also made sure that mentally he took a different perspective on the defense.
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Saying “it gives you a different understanding,” Toure’s time spent watching the defense and not being a part of it has given him a new outlook on his role.
“That honestly helped a lot because it actually gave me some time to sit back and really just see it from a different point of view, you know?” Toure said on Saturday following practice.
“I’m usually on the field, playing on the field, but sitting back, watching how everything plays out… seeing schemes…seeing how we do things…helped a lot.”
In 2021, Toure had 51 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.
His return to the field, almost a year from when he was injured last spring, has the Rutgers standout excited to be back and fully practicing. Last week, head coach Greg Schiano said that Toure and fellow linebacker Moses Walker were back and a full-go in spring practice.
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It was a return to the field that had Toure excited and chomping at the proverbial bit.
“It’s amazing for me, I just love being back with my brothers, getting to play the game again. Being away from it kind of made my love for the game grow more,” Walker said. “So just happy to be back.”
