OrangeXtreme
The Mayor of Dewitt
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Spring football preview: Carson Beck, Bill Belichick add intrigue to ACC
As spring practices get underway, we begin our conference-by-conference previews with the ACC.
Syracuse Orange
2024 record: 10-3 (5-3)
Spring storyline: Fran Brown surprised and impressed in Year 1, leading Syracuse to its first 10-win season since 2018, including a regular-season finale victory over Miami that kept the Hurricanes out of the ACC title game. But this will be a very different team on offense this spring with Kyle McCord, LeQuint Allen and Oronde Gadsden all gone to the NFL draft. Indeed, the biggest questions this spring surround how the Orange are going to replace all that production.
Position of intrigue: Replacing McCord is at the top of the list. Syracuse signed transfer Rickie Collins from LSU and returns backup Michael Johnson Jr. and redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams. In addition, the Orange signed two freshmen quarterbacks in Luke Carney and Rich Belin. Offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon said Syracuse will have an open quarterback competition this spring. Though the room is missing the veteran presence McCord brought last season, Nixon said he is pleased with the depth he has among his quarterbacks.
Player to watch: Syracuse was not nearly as aggressive in the transfer portal as it was a year ago, but landing defensive lineman Chris Thomas Jr. from Marshall should help shore up a run defense that was inconsistent for most of last season.
