SWC75
Bored Historian
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(I'm accelerating this because I want to get it done before the coach's show on Thursday.)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Seniors: #3 Isaiah Johnson 6-3 205, #14 Jason Simmons Jr. 6-0 198
Juniors: #8 Justin Barron 6-4 231 (was 220), #5 Alijah Clark 6-1 186, #34 Myles Farmer 6-31 200, #26 Aman Greenwood 5-10 197, #28 Jakobie Seabourn 6-1 208
Sophomores: #29 Berry Buxton III 6-2 205, #27 Malcolm Folk 6-1 192, #39 Clay Masters 5-11 182, #21 Bralyn Oliver 6-2 199, #40 Tommy Porter 5-11 202, #37 Cam Reirden 6-0 187, #24 Jeremiah Wilson 5-10 179
Freshmen: #23 Jayden Bellamy 5-11 180, #32 Gregory Delaine 6-0 180, #11 Jaeden Gould 6-2 205, #17 Jalil Martin 6-2 190, #19 Cornell Perry 6-1 192, #22 Quan Peterson 6-1 197 (was 178)
Isaiah Johnson was a 3 star out of Michigan, the #29 CB prospect that year. He opted for the Ivy league and went to Dartmouth, where he was an outstanding CB. He was there four years but was injured for one, granted a redshirt, and one year was canceled due to COVID and he’s been granted an extra year for that so when he transferred here last year to try his skills against ACC competition, he still had two years of eligibility and can thus play for us this year. With the loss of Duce Chestnut, that’s really important. He played 20 games at Dartmouth and had 69 tackles along with “one interception, six pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss”. (Cuse.com) Last year he played in all 13 games, including 6 starts with 53 tackles, a pass breakup and an interception on the season and also led the team with 6 special teams tackles. He’s a football player. A very smart one, but he was born to play this game and he’s doing it for us.
Jason Simmons Jr. was a 3 star from Texas, the 191st best safety. He went to New Mexico State, (where he played with Juwaun Pierce). As a freshman, he “played in 11 games with eight starts ... Finished the year tied for sixth on the team with 62 tackles (42 solo) ... Racked up 4.5 tackles for loss, tying for fifth most on the Aggies ... Broke up three passes, forced one fumble and had a fumble recovery.” NMS didn’t play in the Covid year of 2020 and transferred to SU for the 2021 season. He’s played 23 games, starting 14 of them. For us he has made 79 tackles, 3 for a loss, intercepted 2 passes and forced a fumble. (Cuse.com) Nunes: “He was a starter last year, he should start this year. Only thing possibly altering that would be one of the young guys making a huge jump, in which case he would still see a lot of the field and we’d be deeper for it.”
Justin Barron was a 3 star from Connecticut, the 99th best ‘athlete’ in that class. He’s a big boy for defensive back at 6-4 231. He’s our rover, essentially a fourth linebacker. He’s played in 36 games, with 21 starts. He has “Has 111 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his career.” (Cuse.com) He also holds for field goals. Nunes: “With the ability to lock down an opponent’s best receiver, expect Barron to be slotted all over the turf.” Justin will be a very big part of our defense again this season.
Alijah Clark was a 4 star from New Jersey, a teammate of Duce Chestnut, even higher rated than Duce was (and Duce was lauded as our highest-rated recruit in years). After some frustrations at Rutgers, he transferred here to play with his old friend. Duce has left for LSU, but we’ve still got Alijah. He played 12 games, with 11 starts for us last year, without surrendering a single passing touchdown in 576 plays. He made 55 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and had two pass breakups. Nunes says “played a solid safety, preventing little to no yards after catch. He held his positioning strong in the zone concepts that the Syracuse safeties play. Given the cornerback turnover, he may have to be moved back to his natural position, but it seems like the Orange are happy keeping him at the safety position. He was a newcomer last year, but this year he’s an impact leader.” His nickname is ‘Cinco’. That’s his number (5) in Spanish.
Myles Farmer was a 3 star from Georgia, the 82nd best safety in his group. He went to Nebraska, redshirted in 2019, was injured after 5 games in 2020, then played in 23 games in 2021-22, starting the last 15. That’s “31 games with 16 starts at Nebraska, where he had 110 tackles (62 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble.” (Cuse.com) But there were problems: He was suspended for a DUI last year and again this month for an unspecified violation of team rules. He hit the portal and Dino agreed to take him. That may be an indication of desperation about the state of the secondary or the need to win games now to save his job. If Farmer straightens himself out, he will give us a second ‘big corner’ to pair with Isaiah Johnson. But he’s got learn our defense fast – and learn to behave. (LeQuint can tell him all about the judicial board).
Aman Greenwood was a 3 star from DC, the 102nd safety in his class. In four years, he’s appeared in 20 career games with 28 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. (Cuse.com). Nunes: “After all the departures in the secondary, Greenwood is one of the most experienced players in the unit. If he’s healthy, he’s going to see a lot of action on passing downs and special teams.” In other words he’s not a star but kind of a ‘glue guy’ who will be available when we need him.
Jakobie Seabourn is a 3 star from California and the 10th best JUCO safety. who went to Santa Barbara City College, where he played for two seasons, where he made 50 tackles 2 TFLs and 2 interceptions. He’ll back up Simmons, Barron and Clark at safety. “I think Syracuse's football program is getting ready to shake things up,”
Berry Buxton III is another 3 star JUCO from California. He was the 12th rated cornerback. He also went to SBCC and made 23 tackles in 11 games, as well as “three interceptions, seven pass breakups, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery”. (CUSE.com) Nunes: “Buxton’s versatility and 6’2 frame make him an intriguing option for the Orange at both safety and cornerback.”
Malcolm Folk is a 3 star from Pennsylvania, the #78 safety in his class. He redshirted and didn’t play in 2021. Last year he appeared in 3 games, making four tackles, one for a loss. Nunes: “Folk is unlikely to start the year in the two-deep, but he should still play a role in a Rocky Long defense with a lot of moving parts. If he makes some big plays in early in the season, we could see him advance beyond that role and more firmly into the rotation.” His day will come.
Bralyn Oliver transferred in from Louisville. Oliver was influenced to come here by his friend, Jaitus Geer, who also left, leaving us with Oliver, much as Chestnut left us with Clark. He was a 3 star, and the 62nd best safety in his class. He appeared in 9 games and made 5 tackles last year. Nunes: “Syracuse has a lot of players competing for playing time in the defensive backfield and Oliver should be in the mix. The staff seems to like him at safety, so he’ll likely be backing up the group of Justin Barron, Jason Simmons and Alijah Clark.”
Jeremiah Wilson was a 3 star from Florida who was the #127 rated CB. “Appeared in all 13 games either on special teams or as a reserve corner. Made 21 tackles (16 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in his rookie season.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “After a phenomenal spring camp where he won the majority of one-on-one battles, Wilson is in line to start as the No. 2 corner. SU has had the most success developing secondary pieces, with Garrett Williams, Andre Cisco, and Ifeatu Melifonwu all landing on NFL rosters in the last couple years. Expect Jeremiah to take a big leap towards accomplishing the same this season.” If he does as well as those guys, our reputation will continue to evolve from “Punter U” to D-Back U”.
Jayden Bellamy was a 3 star from New Jersey, the #42 CB. He redshirted at Notre Dame last year but didn’t play in any games, then decided to come to SU. Nunes: “With the loss of some depth at corner and defensive versatility needed in coverage in the 3-3-5 scheme, Bellamy is a player with some upside in the Orange’s secondary. He’s shown an ability as a tackler and has the reputation on paper to be a great contributor, but his success in college remains somewhat of an unknown. Bellamy will be challenging for a starting corner spot this fall.”
Gregory Delaine Is a 3 star from Florida who was the #119 CB in the class. He redshirted last year but didn’t play: it’s a crowded field. Nunes: “With injuries common at the position in recent years for SU, expect Delaine to compete for a spot on the two-deep.”
Jaeden Gould is a 4 star, no less, from New Jersey, rated the #36 CB. He redshirted at Nebraska last year and played in the Oklahoma game. He was their top recruit in that class. Now he’s here. Our DC, Tony White went there only to find that 3 of his players came here. It’s exciting that we’re getting guys from Alabama, Notre Dame and Nebraska – who haven’t really done anything yet. But they might! Nunes: “The Orange are looking to replace the production of Ja’Had Carter from the safety position and Gould will be one of the players that gets a shot. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, he’s likely to see a lot of time next fall”.
Jalil Martin is the third guy from Nebraska, a 3 star from Chicago and the #59 ‘athlete’ in his class. He redshirted in Lincoln and played in no games. Nunes: “It remains to be seen if he plays corner or safety, although it’s more likely the latter. The natural 6-foot-2 height makes Martin an enticing option to have in the regular rotation of defensive backs for Rocky Long.” Alijah Clark: ““We’ve got Jaeden Gould, new guy Jalil (Martin) coming from Nebraska,” said Alijah Clarke. “Those two guys, incredible.” And that was before we got Myles Farmer.
Cornell Perry is a 3 star from Michigan, the #90 athlete in the class. He was injured in spring practice and missed the whole 2022 season. “Cornell was an early enrollee last spring, giving him a head start at adapting to the college level of competition. He told Syracuse.com’s Mike Curtis that it was a commitment he made in order to have the best chance at succeeding with SU.” Life stinks sometimes. “His best shot at cracking the two deep is as a nickel corner rather than his natural safety position.” (Nunes)
Quan Peterson is – wait for it – a 3 star from South Carolina rated the #133 CB. He played in two games last year – Wagner and the Pinstripe Bowl, (did we have that many opt-outs?) He had one tackle and that was in the bowl game. Nunes: “There is a lot of available playing time at corner heading into this season. Peterson will be in the mix to start but is heading towards lots of playing time on passing downs.”
Clay Masters was a 2 star running back from Oregon (#241 in his class) who came here as a PWO in 2021 but has yet to appear in any games. Nunes: “He had a few nice plays in camp but still has some work to do before getting a call for serious playing time.” Tommy Porter came all the way from California to walk on here. He was unrated by the services. He hasn’t played in a game in two years here, although he was injured and couldn’t play last year, (which put him in good company). Nunes: “The best opportunity for Porter to see the field would be on special teams. He’s more likely to serve as a scout team player but he’s got a strong athletic background which is useful in that role.” Cam Reirden is an unrated walk-on from Massachusetts who hasn’t played in two years. “Reirden’s likely slated for scout team duty again this season.”
That’s fifteen 3 stars and two 4 stars for five positions so, again we can go three deep with potentially ACC-level talents, even after losing Garrett Williams, Duce Chestnut and J’Had Carter. That’s a tribute to the efforts of the coaching staff to maintain the talent and depth we have in the defensive backfield. Rocky Long would have plenty to work with. That may be why he agreed to come here. November may not be the disaster it has been in recent years.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Seniors: #3 Isaiah Johnson 6-3 205, #14 Jason Simmons Jr. 6-0 198
Juniors: #8 Justin Barron 6-4 231 (was 220), #5 Alijah Clark 6-1 186, #34 Myles Farmer 6-31 200, #26 Aman Greenwood 5-10 197, #28 Jakobie Seabourn 6-1 208
Sophomores: #29 Berry Buxton III 6-2 205, #27 Malcolm Folk 6-1 192, #39 Clay Masters 5-11 182, #21 Bralyn Oliver 6-2 199, #40 Tommy Porter 5-11 202, #37 Cam Reirden 6-0 187, #24 Jeremiah Wilson 5-10 179
Freshmen: #23 Jayden Bellamy 5-11 180, #32 Gregory Delaine 6-0 180, #11 Jaeden Gould 6-2 205, #17 Jalil Martin 6-2 190, #19 Cornell Perry 6-1 192, #22 Quan Peterson 6-1 197 (was 178)
Isaiah Johnson was a 3 star out of Michigan, the #29 CB prospect that year. He opted for the Ivy league and went to Dartmouth, where he was an outstanding CB. He was there four years but was injured for one, granted a redshirt, and one year was canceled due to COVID and he’s been granted an extra year for that so when he transferred here last year to try his skills against ACC competition, he still had two years of eligibility and can thus play for us this year. With the loss of Duce Chestnut, that’s really important. He played 20 games at Dartmouth and had 69 tackles along with “one interception, six pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss”. (Cuse.com) Last year he played in all 13 games, including 6 starts with 53 tackles, a pass breakup and an interception on the season and also led the team with 6 special teams tackles. He’s a football player. A very smart one, but he was born to play this game and he’s doing it for us.
Jason Simmons Jr. was a 3 star from Texas, the 191st best safety. He went to New Mexico State, (where he played with Juwaun Pierce). As a freshman, he “played in 11 games with eight starts ... Finished the year tied for sixth on the team with 62 tackles (42 solo) ... Racked up 4.5 tackles for loss, tying for fifth most on the Aggies ... Broke up three passes, forced one fumble and had a fumble recovery.” NMS didn’t play in the Covid year of 2020 and transferred to SU for the 2021 season. He’s played 23 games, starting 14 of them. For us he has made 79 tackles, 3 for a loss, intercepted 2 passes and forced a fumble. (Cuse.com) Nunes: “He was a starter last year, he should start this year. Only thing possibly altering that would be one of the young guys making a huge jump, in which case he would still see a lot of the field and we’d be deeper for it.”
Justin Barron was a 3 star from Connecticut, the 99th best ‘athlete’ in that class. He’s a big boy for defensive back at 6-4 231. He’s our rover, essentially a fourth linebacker. He’s played in 36 games, with 21 starts. He has “Has 111 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his career.” (Cuse.com) He also holds for field goals. Nunes: “With the ability to lock down an opponent’s best receiver, expect Barron to be slotted all over the turf.” Justin will be a very big part of our defense again this season.
Alijah Clark was a 4 star from New Jersey, a teammate of Duce Chestnut, even higher rated than Duce was (and Duce was lauded as our highest-rated recruit in years). After some frustrations at Rutgers, he transferred here to play with his old friend. Duce has left for LSU, but we’ve still got Alijah. He played 12 games, with 11 starts for us last year, without surrendering a single passing touchdown in 576 plays. He made 55 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and had two pass breakups. Nunes says “played a solid safety, preventing little to no yards after catch. He held his positioning strong in the zone concepts that the Syracuse safeties play. Given the cornerback turnover, he may have to be moved back to his natural position, but it seems like the Orange are happy keeping him at the safety position. He was a newcomer last year, but this year he’s an impact leader.” His nickname is ‘Cinco’. That’s his number (5) in Spanish.
Myles Farmer was a 3 star from Georgia, the 82nd best safety in his group. He went to Nebraska, redshirted in 2019, was injured after 5 games in 2020, then played in 23 games in 2021-22, starting the last 15. That’s “31 games with 16 starts at Nebraska, where he had 110 tackles (62 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble.” (Cuse.com) But there were problems: He was suspended for a DUI last year and again this month for an unspecified violation of team rules. He hit the portal and Dino agreed to take him. That may be an indication of desperation about the state of the secondary or the need to win games now to save his job. If Farmer straightens himself out, he will give us a second ‘big corner’ to pair with Isaiah Johnson. But he’s got learn our defense fast – and learn to behave. (LeQuint can tell him all about the judicial board).
Aman Greenwood was a 3 star from DC, the 102nd safety in his class. In four years, he’s appeared in 20 career games with 28 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. (Cuse.com). Nunes: “After all the departures in the secondary, Greenwood is one of the most experienced players in the unit. If he’s healthy, he’s going to see a lot of action on passing downs and special teams.” In other words he’s not a star but kind of a ‘glue guy’ who will be available when we need him.
Jakobie Seabourn is a 3 star from California and the 10th best JUCO safety. who went to Santa Barbara City College, where he played for two seasons, where he made 50 tackles 2 TFLs and 2 interceptions. He’ll back up Simmons, Barron and Clark at safety. “I think Syracuse's football program is getting ready to shake things up,”
Berry Buxton III is another 3 star JUCO from California. He was the 12th rated cornerback. He also went to SBCC and made 23 tackles in 11 games, as well as “three interceptions, seven pass breakups, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery”. (CUSE.com) Nunes: “Buxton’s versatility and 6’2 frame make him an intriguing option for the Orange at both safety and cornerback.”
Malcolm Folk is a 3 star from Pennsylvania, the #78 safety in his class. He redshirted and didn’t play in 2021. Last year he appeared in 3 games, making four tackles, one for a loss. Nunes: “Folk is unlikely to start the year in the two-deep, but he should still play a role in a Rocky Long defense with a lot of moving parts. If he makes some big plays in early in the season, we could see him advance beyond that role and more firmly into the rotation.” His day will come.
Bralyn Oliver transferred in from Louisville. Oliver was influenced to come here by his friend, Jaitus Geer, who also left, leaving us with Oliver, much as Chestnut left us with Clark. He was a 3 star, and the 62nd best safety in his class. He appeared in 9 games and made 5 tackles last year. Nunes: “Syracuse has a lot of players competing for playing time in the defensive backfield and Oliver should be in the mix. The staff seems to like him at safety, so he’ll likely be backing up the group of Justin Barron, Jason Simmons and Alijah Clark.”
Jeremiah Wilson was a 3 star from Florida who was the #127 rated CB. “Appeared in all 13 games either on special teams or as a reserve corner. Made 21 tackles (16 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in his rookie season.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “After a phenomenal spring camp where he won the majority of one-on-one battles, Wilson is in line to start as the No. 2 corner. SU has had the most success developing secondary pieces, with Garrett Williams, Andre Cisco, and Ifeatu Melifonwu all landing on NFL rosters in the last couple years. Expect Jeremiah to take a big leap towards accomplishing the same this season.” If he does as well as those guys, our reputation will continue to evolve from “Punter U” to D-Back U”.
Jayden Bellamy was a 3 star from New Jersey, the #42 CB. He redshirted at Notre Dame last year but didn’t play in any games, then decided to come to SU. Nunes: “With the loss of some depth at corner and defensive versatility needed in coverage in the 3-3-5 scheme, Bellamy is a player with some upside in the Orange’s secondary. He’s shown an ability as a tackler and has the reputation on paper to be a great contributor, but his success in college remains somewhat of an unknown. Bellamy will be challenging for a starting corner spot this fall.”
Gregory Delaine Is a 3 star from Florida who was the #119 CB in the class. He redshirted last year but didn’t play: it’s a crowded field. Nunes: “With injuries common at the position in recent years for SU, expect Delaine to compete for a spot on the two-deep.”
Jaeden Gould is a 4 star, no less, from New Jersey, rated the #36 CB. He redshirted at Nebraska last year and played in the Oklahoma game. He was their top recruit in that class. Now he’s here. Our DC, Tony White went there only to find that 3 of his players came here. It’s exciting that we’re getting guys from Alabama, Notre Dame and Nebraska – who haven’t really done anything yet. But they might! Nunes: “The Orange are looking to replace the production of Ja’Had Carter from the safety position and Gould will be one of the players that gets a shot. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, he’s likely to see a lot of time next fall”.
Jalil Martin is the third guy from Nebraska, a 3 star from Chicago and the #59 ‘athlete’ in his class. He redshirted in Lincoln and played in no games. Nunes: “It remains to be seen if he plays corner or safety, although it’s more likely the latter. The natural 6-foot-2 height makes Martin an enticing option to have in the regular rotation of defensive backs for Rocky Long.” Alijah Clark: ““We’ve got Jaeden Gould, new guy Jalil (Martin) coming from Nebraska,” said Alijah Clarke. “Those two guys, incredible.” And that was before we got Myles Farmer.
Cornell Perry is a 3 star from Michigan, the #90 athlete in the class. He was injured in spring practice and missed the whole 2022 season. “Cornell was an early enrollee last spring, giving him a head start at adapting to the college level of competition. He told Syracuse.com’s Mike Curtis that it was a commitment he made in order to have the best chance at succeeding with SU.” Life stinks sometimes. “His best shot at cracking the two deep is as a nickel corner rather than his natural safety position.” (Nunes)
Quan Peterson is – wait for it – a 3 star from South Carolina rated the #133 CB. He played in two games last year – Wagner and the Pinstripe Bowl, (did we have that many opt-outs?) He had one tackle and that was in the bowl game. Nunes: “There is a lot of available playing time at corner heading into this season. Peterson will be in the mix to start but is heading towards lots of playing time on passing downs.”
Clay Masters was a 2 star running back from Oregon (#241 in his class) who came here as a PWO in 2021 but has yet to appear in any games. Nunes: “He had a few nice plays in camp but still has some work to do before getting a call for serious playing time.” Tommy Porter came all the way from California to walk on here. He was unrated by the services. He hasn’t played in a game in two years here, although he was injured and couldn’t play last year, (which put him in good company). Nunes: “The best opportunity for Porter to see the field would be on special teams. He’s more likely to serve as a scout team player but he’s got a strong athletic background which is useful in that role.” Cam Reirden is an unrated walk-on from Massachusetts who hasn’t played in two years. “Reirden’s likely slated for scout team duty again this season.”
That’s fifteen 3 stars and two 4 stars for five positions so, again we can go three deep with potentially ACC-level talents, even after losing Garrett Williams, Duce Chestnut and J’Had Carter. That’s a tribute to the efforts of the coaching staff to maintain the talent and depth we have in the defensive backfield. Rocky Long would have plenty to work with. That may be why he agreed to come here. November may not be the disaster it has been in recent years.
