sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Tyler Thompson, One of NJ's Finest in the Class of 2016, Has SU on Top After Weekend Visit (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse wide receivers coach Bobby Acosta has kept in close contact with Ocean Township (Oakhurst, N.J.) High School running back Tyler Thompson despite him breaking his tibia and fibula midway through his junior year.
And after Thompson's unofficial visit to SU on Sunday, he has Acosta and the Orange on top.
"Syracuse is my No. 1." Thompson said in an interview on Monday.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Class of 2016 prospect was a 1,000-yard rusher in his first two high school seasons before suffering the injuries. At the time, he had rushed for 680 yards and four touchdowns, according to NJ.com.
Thompson said his rehabilitation is still on target for the six-month recovery and that he has offers from Syracuse, Old Dominion, Boston College, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt and Temple.
During the visit, he and his mother spoke with SU running backs coach DeAndre Smith. Smith's message to Thompson was that he would be a great fit for the Orange's H-back position — a spot that is expected to line up in the slot, on the wing and in the backfield in offensive coordinator Tim Lester's new offense.
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Syracuse Kicks Off Spring Practice (acc.sportswar.com; Cates)
The Orange finished 2014 with a 3-9 overall record (1-7 ACC) and tied for last place in the ACC Atlantic Division with Wake Forest. Head coach Scott Shafer enters his third season at the helm in Syracuse with many wondering what to expect. Will it be a repeat of the underwhelming three-win campaign or a return to respectability like his seven-win debut that included a win in the Texas Bowl? The answer will become clearer as spring football practice begins to sort out personnel at key spots.
Terrel Hunt returns for his senior season at quarterback after missing seven games in 2014 following a fractured fibula suffered in a loss to Louisville. Hunt is an athletic playmaker who sometimes struggles with his passing. His career completion percentage is just under 60% but his 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions illuminate some of the shortcomings in his ability to recognize coverages and make sight adjustments. His best plays are made with his feet as evidenced by 792 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground during his time at Syracuse.
That mobile threat at quarterback is valued by offensive coordinator Tim Lester who was promoted to replace George McDonald last season. His playbook is still something of a mystery as this is the first offseason he’s had to install everything, but it will include multiple looks that are easily adaptable to the players at his disposal.
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