SWC75
Bored Historian
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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Seniors: #10 Fadil Diggs 6-5 261 (260) #52 Braylen Ingraham 6-4 314 (301), #4 Dion Wilson 6-5 296 (300)
Juniors: #99 Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff 6-4 289 (279), #11 Denis Jaquez Jr. 6-4 259 (254), #95 Michael Nwokocha 6-5 312 (290), #30 Chase Simmons 6-4 260 ( 245)
Sophomores: Isaiah Hastings 6-4 294 (290), #94 Kevin Jobity 6-4 277 (263), #92 Rashard Perry 6-3 291 (278)
Freshmen: #97 Clark Calloway ? (?)#19 KingJoseph Edwards 6-4 225 (230),#58 Xavier Miles 6-3 310 (300), Stan Modo 6-3 226 (235), #88 Maraad Watson 6-3 313 (285!), #93 Grant Winter 6-3 247 (250)
I’ll start with the sad news that Braylen Ingraham suffered a torn achilles tendon in fall practice, an injury that put him out for the season and probably will end his football career. He was a transfer from Alabama, which got a lot of people excited: “We’re gonna get an Alabama defensive lineman here!” But he played in 5 games and made 4 tackles there in 4 years, so he was a guy who wasn’t playing much there. He played in every game here last year and made 16 tackles, so he was more of a Syracuse-level player who had been on the Alabama roster. This was his Covid year and now he can’t get it. He’d been a 4-star coming out of high school but that was reduced to a 3-star when he transferred.
Fadil Diggs is more than a Syracuse-level player, although he may redefine what that is. He was a 4-star coming out of high school, (in Camden NJ), and coming out of the portal. At 6-5 260, he’s what an ‘edge’ should be – an NFL edge. He’s played 33 games at Texas A&M, starting his last 20, during which he recorded 64 tackles, 16 for a loss, 7 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, 7 QB ‘hurries’ and 2 pass break-ups. He was a captain of the team. He was the second most lauded acquisition out of the transfer portal for Fran Brown, (although his pal Elijah Robinson surely deserves the credit for this one), behind Kyle McCord. His “edge” coach, Robert Wright said: "You know, Fadil was at Texas A&M with us, so he has a good idea of what this defense needs to look like," Wright said. "And the main thing is: living up to the standard. Then the young guys will see that. More than anything you can tell them [younger players], that speaks volumes." We’ve seen what a dominant defensive end can do for a team here. Is he the next Dwight Freeney? I’ll take the next Alton Robinson or Kendall Coleman, (our strong defensive end duo from 2018). He’ll be here for one year. Hopefully, it will be a special one.
This highlight film is about the entire A&M DL but Diggs (#10), gets in on a lot of plays:
Dion Wilson is our third guy who transferred here from New Mexico State, (Juwaun Price and Jason Simmons are the others). He’d been at Arizona three seasons before that. He was a 3-star coming out of high school and out of the portal. He’s played 34 games of FBS football, starting 4 of them last year. “Has 62 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup across the two schools.” (Cuse.com) I like that his nickname is “Tank”. If you can’t have a ‘Bubba’, it’s good to have a ‘Tank’. Nunes: “Wilson enters as the largest build on the defensive side of the ball, revamping a d-line that has been frequently called “undersized” compared to others. He joins Fadil Diggs as an upperclassmen transfer who will ideally act as a leader for the bulk of younger guys coming in. SU badly needed interior help, and Wilson can make a strong case to start immediately. He’s an interesting piece to watch once spring camp gets underway and we see what the defensive structure looks like.” SB Nation did a round table on our likely defensive starters and Wilson was on everyone’s DL.
Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff was a popular choice, as well. He’s a 3-star out of the Bronx who has built himself up to 289 pounds, (from 267 two years ago), so he can play inside in the 4-2-5. In three years, he’s played in 22 games with 1 start. He has 22 career tackles and a pass break-up. Nunes: “The switch to a 4-3 defense should lead to more playing time for Fuentes-Cundiff this season. He’ll need to show he can hold up against the run to stay in the interior line rotation as the Orange have some new bodies joining the group this summer.”
Denis Jaquez Jr. (we are full of ‘Juniors’), a 3-star from New Jersey, was another popular choice for a starter. He would be the ‘edge’ opposite Diggs. He’s had some injuries but has played 12 games here, with 3 starts. “Has 15 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a blocked punt and a forced fumble in his SU career.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “The biggest question mark surrounding Jaquez is his availability. There’s no denying his talent, as he appears to be locked in as a starter on the defensive end.”
Michael Nwokocha “Spent two seasons at Tyler Junior College … Was rated as a 4-star prospect out of the JUCO ranks by On3, (3 by everyone else) … Had 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 10 games played.” (Cuse.com) "I believe in what the coaching staff is trying to do here. I believe we're going to win a lot next year."
Chase Simmons has an ideal name for a defensive player. A 3-star, (2 from Rivals), from South Carolina, he’s been here three years and “Has appeared in 15 games with 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.” (Cuse.com). He’s another edge. Nunes: “Simmons could see more of a sizable role compared to his previous two years. He’s entering as one of the more-experienced defensive lineman Syracuse has on roster, but it’s also a position where the competition is plentiful.”
The guy everybody wants to see is Rashard Perry from Bennett High in Buffalo who dominated offensive lines in leading his high school to the state championship. Our recruiting page was full of images showing an intimidating looking Perry.
Class of 2023 - DL Rashard Perry (NY) COMMITTED / SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (4/9/22)
He averaged 10 tackles a game and had 24 sacks. 24! As a junior. As a senior “Had 93 tackles, including 21 for loss, and had 13 sacks.” (Cuse.com) All it got him was 3 stars but we’ve got him. He’s built himself up from 6-3 245 to 291 so he can dominate college offensive lines, too. Last year, “appeared in 10 games as a reserve defensive tackle and also played offense on short yardage situations ... Recorded one tackle on the season”. He’ll get a better chance this year. Nunes: “Perry has some fierce competition for a spot atop the two-deep, as even with an extra starting job in the 4-3, there are guys with more experience he’d have to beat out. Still, he seemed to have an early advantage in spring camp.”
Isaiah Hastings is a 4 star from Toronto who went to Alabama, played in one game in two years and now he’s here. Is he Braylen Ewards 2.0? 247: Maybe not: “A big, athletic interior pass rusher with plenty of upside. Still learning the game of football after growing up in Canada, but has the potential to emerge as a difference maker at the Power 5 level given how he moves for someone that’s 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. Equipped with longer arms owning a near 84-inch wingspan and more importantly a nice initial burst. Uses wide base to wedge himself through gaps and overpower opposing offensive linemen. Wins more times than not with a simple bull rush, but has also developed a few different pass-rushing moves and is pretty versed in hand-to-hand combat. Not the type of player to give up on many plays and finds ways to make stops outside the hashes. Transferred into a small private school outside of Tampa, Fla. for his senior season and didn't need much, if any, time to adjust to the speed of American football totaling 24 quarterback hurries and 6.5 sacks in seven games. Will need to keep progressing and spend some time in a college weight room, but should eventually work his way into the rotation at a College Football Playoff contender given his size and ability to get after the quarterback. Could be used in a variety of different alignments depending on what is needed at the college of his choice, but will be at his best when he's simply creating push up the middle.” Nunes: “Based on spring camp, Hastings is currently with the twos but could still challenge Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff or Rashard Perry for one of the interior spots on the line.”
Kevin Jobity, a 3-star, (oops, 2 from Rivals), from Buffalo - made a lot of noticeable plays last year. In two years, he’s “played in 21 games with 2 starts” with ”43 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his career”. (Cuse.com), Nunes: “The Buffalo native should open the year as a starting edge rusher alongside Texas A&M transfer Fadil Diggs.” I see him sharing the job with Jacquez and spelling Diggs.
The most lauded freshman is KingJoseph Edwards. That’s right. Not “King Joseph Edwards”. He’s a four star from Georgia. He’s a 4-star to 247 and ESPN, a 3-star to Rivals and On3. 247: “A twitched-up edge rusher that has the physical makeup to make things difficult for quarterbacks on Saturdays. Missed significant time during junior season due to a shoulder injury, but started to really show flashes of what he could be at the next level as a senior in the Peach State’s highest classification, totaling 11 quarterback hurries and six sacks. At one point billed himself as more of a tight end, but finally bought into the idea of being a full-time defender, which makes sense given initial get-off and lateral movement patterns. Weight has fluctuated a bit over the years, but looks to have plenty of growth potential and like someone that could eventually carry 255 pounds or more. More notably, has tested in the upper percentile multiple times with a 7.2-second effort in the three-cone drill on file to go along with a near 10-foot broad jump. Must keep progressing and fine-tuning his craft, but has a higher ceiling as he can dip and shed while attacking corner. Initially was viewed as more of a 3-4 linebacker, but worked primarily out of a three-point stance as a 12th grader and could likely fit into a variety of different schemes depending on how his body matures.” Nunes: “Who knows what the summer will bring, but it should feel very good for Edwards and Syracuse fans that the promising defensive lineman was running with the twos regularly in spring practice and the spring game. Edwards’ speed and hands on the line could throw opposing offensive linemen off when a defensive line rotation comes in.” Brent Axe just mentions on his “Syracuse Orangesport on Syracuse.com” podcast that King Joseph “won the Heisman in the EA Sports videos games the team was playing. I don’t know what to make of that, (or what ‘twitched up’ means).
Xavier Miles is a 310lb 3-star from New Jersey who “concluded his high school career with 206 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 9 sacks”. (Cuse.com) Nunes: “The injury to Braylan Ingraham could open an opportunity for Miles to get some early-season snaps. If he’s able to hold up on the interior, he could find himself in the rotation at the defensive tackle spot this fall.”
Maraad Watson is a 313lb 3-star from New Jersey who “recorded 72 tackles (9 TFL), 15 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in seven games as a senior.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “Watson was an early enrollee and his spring camp reps will help in the effort to get in-game snaps. A redshirt is possible, but his size alone makes it hard to dismiss him entirely.”
Grant Winter and Stan Modo are walk-ons. I’ve been able to find out nothing about Clark Calloway, except that he comes from Georgia. I was, however, able to obtain this highlight film:
Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher (feat. The Blues Brothers) - 1080p Full HD
Seniors: #10 Fadil Diggs 6-5 261 (260) #52 Braylen Ingraham 6-4 314 (301), #4 Dion Wilson 6-5 296 (300)
Juniors: #99 Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff 6-4 289 (279), #11 Denis Jaquez Jr. 6-4 259 (254), #95 Michael Nwokocha 6-5 312 (290), #30 Chase Simmons 6-4 260 ( 245)
Sophomores: Isaiah Hastings 6-4 294 (290), #94 Kevin Jobity 6-4 277 (263), #92 Rashard Perry 6-3 291 (278)
Freshmen: #97 Clark Calloway ? (?)#19 KingJoseph Edwards 6-4 225 (230),#58 Xavier Miles 6-3 310 (300), Stan Modo 6-3 226 (235), #88 Maraad Watson 6-3 313 (285!), #93 Grant Winter 6-3 247 (250)
I’ll start with the sad news that Braylen Ingraham suffered a torn achilles tendon in fall practice, an injury that put him out for the season and probably will end his football career. He was a transfer from Alabama, which got a lot of people excited: “We’re gonna get an Alabama defensive lineman here!” But he played in 5 games and made 4 tackles there in 4 years, so he was a guy who wasn’t playing much there. He played in every game here last year and made 16 tackles, so he was more of a Syracuse-level player who had been on the Alabama roster. This was his Covid year and now he can’t get it. He’d been a 4-star coming out of high school but that was reduced to a 3-star when he transferred.
Fadil Diggs is more than a Syracuse-level player, although he may redefine what that is. He was a 4-star coming out of high school, (in Camden NJ), and coming out of the portal. At 6-5 260, he’s what an ‘edge’ should be – an NFL edge. He’s played 33 games at Texas A&M, starting his last 20, during which he recorded 64 tackles, 16 for a loss, 7 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, 7 QB ‘hurries’ and 2 pass break-ups. He was a captain of the team. He was the second most lauded acquisition out of the transfer portal for Fran Brown, (although his pal Elijah Robinson surely deserves the credit for this one), behind Kyle McCord. His “edge” coach, Robert Wright said: "You know, Fadil was at Texas A&M with us, so he has a good idea of what this defense needs to look like," Wright said. "And the main thing is: living up to the standard. Then the young guys will see that. More than anything you can tell them [younger players], that speaks volumes." We’ve seen what a dominant defensive end can do for a team here. Is he the next Dwight Freeney? I’ll take the next Alton Robinson or Kendall Coleman, (our strong defensive end duo from 2018). He’ll be here for one year. Hopefully, it will be a special one.
This highlight film is about the entire A&M DL but Diggs (#10), gets in on a lot of plays:
Dion Wilson is our third guy who transferred here from New Mexico State, (Juwaun Price and Jason Simmons are the others). He’d been at Arizona three seasons before that. He was a 3-star coming out of high school and out of the portal. He’s played 34 games of FBS football, starting 4 of them last year. “Has 62 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup across the two schools.” (Cuse.com) I like that his nickname is “Tank”. If you can’t have a ‘Bubba’, it’s good to have a ‘Tank’. Nunes: “Wilson enters as the largest build on the defensive side of the ball, revamping a d-line that has been frequently called “undersized” compared to others. He joins Fadil Diggs as an upperclassmen transfer who will ideally act as a leader for the bulk of younger guys coming in. SU badly needed interior help, and Wilson can make a strong case to start immediately. He’s an interesting piece to watch once spring camp gets underway and we see what the defensive structure looks like.” SB Nation did a round table on our likely defensive starters and Wilson was on everyone’s DL.
Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff was a popular choice, as well. He’s a 3-star out of the Bronx who has built himself up to 289 pounds, (from 267 two years ago), so he can play inside in the 4-2-5. In three years, he’s played in 22 games with 1 start. He has 22 career tackles and a pass break-up. Nunes: “The switch to a 4-3 defense should lead to more playing time for Fuentes-Cundiff this season. He’ll need to show he can hold up against the run to stay in the interior line rotation as the Orange have some new bodies joining the group this summer.”
Denis Jaquez Jr. (we are full of ‘Juniors’), a 3-star from New Jersey, was another popular choice for a starter. He would be the ‘edge’ opposite Diggs. He’s had some injuries but has played 12 games here, with 3 starts. “Has 15 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a blocked punt and a forced fumble in his SU career.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “The biggest question mark surrounding Jaquez is his availability. There’s no denying his talent, as he appears to be locked in as a starter on the defensive end.”
Michael Nwokocha “Spent two seasons at Tyler Junior College … Was rated as a 4-star prospect out of the JUCO ranks by On3, (3 by everyone else) … Had 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 10 games played.” (Cuse.com) "I believe in what the coaching staff is trying to do here. I believe we're going to win a lot next year."
Chase Simmons has an ideal name for a defensive player. A 3-star, (2 from Rivals), from South Carolina, he’s been here three years and “Has appeared in 15 games with 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.” (Cuse.com). He’s another edge. Nunes: “Simmons could see more of a sizable role compared to his previous two years. He’s entering as one of the more-experienced defensive lineman Syracuse has on roster, but it’s also a position where the competition is plentiful.”
The guy everybody wants to see is Rashard Perry from Bennett High in Buffalo who dominated offensive lines in leading his high school to the state championship. Our recruiting page was full of images showing an intimidating looking Perry.
Class of 2023 - DL Rashard Perry (NY) COMMITTED / SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (4/9/22)
He averaged 10 tackles a game and had 24 sacks. 24! As a junior. As a senior “Had 93 tackles, including 21 for loss, and had 13 sacks.” (Cuse.com) All it got him was 3 stars but we’ve got him. He’s built himself up from 6-3 245 to 291 so he can dominate college offensive lines, too. Last year, “appeared in 10 games as a reserve defensive tackle and also played offense on short yardage situations ... Recorded one tackle on the season”. He’ll get a better chance this year. Nunes: “Perry has some fierce competition for a spot atop the two-deep, as even with an extra starting job in the 4-3, there are guys with more experience he’d have to beat out. Still, he seemed to have an early advantage in spring camp.”
Isaiah Hastings is a 4 star from Toronto who went to Alabama, played in one game in two years and now he’s here. Is he Braylen Ewards 2.0? 247: Maybe not: “A big, athletic interior pass rusher with plenty of upside. Still learning the game of football after growing up in Canada, but has the potential to emerge as a difference maker at the Power 5 level given how he moves for someone that’s 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. Equipped with longer arms owning a near 84-inch wingspan and more importantly a nice initial burst. Uses wide base to wedge himself through gaps and overpower opposing offensive linemen. Wins more times than not with a simple bull rush, but has also developed a few different pass-rushing moves and is pretty versed in hand-to-hand combat. Not the type of player to give up on many plays and finds ways to make stops outside the hashes. Transferred into a small private school outside of Tampa, Fla. for his senior season and didn't need much, if any, time to adjust to the speed of American football totaling 24 quarterback hurries and 6.5 sacks in seven games. Will need to keep progressing and spend some time in a college weight room, but should eventually work his way into the rotation at a College Football Playoff contender given his size and ability to get after the quarterback. Could be used in a variety of different alignments depending on what is needed at the college of his choice, but will be at his best when he's simply creating push up the middle.” Nunes: “Based on spring camp, Hastings is currently with the twos but could still challenge Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff or Rashard Perry for one of the interior spots on the line.”
Kevin Jobity, a 3-star, (oops, 2 from Rivals), from Buffalo - made a lot of noticeable plays last year. In two years, he’s “played in 21 games with 2 starts” with ”43 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his career”. (Cuse.com), Nunes: “The Buffalo native should open the year as a starting edge rusher alongside Texas A&M transfer Fadil Diggs.” I see him sharing the job with Jacquez and spelling Diggs.
The most lauded freshman is KingJoseph Edwards. That’s right. Not “King Joseph Edwards”. He’s a four star from Georgia. He’s a 4-star to 247 and ESPN, a 3-star to Rivals and On3. 247: “A twitched-up edge rusher that has the physical makeup to make things difficult for quarterbacks on Saturdays. Missed significant time during junior season due to a shoulder injury, but started to really show flashes of what he could be at the next level as a senior in the Peach State’s highest classification, totaling 11 quarterback hurries and six sacks. At one point billed himself as more of a tight end, but finally bought into the idea of being a full-time defender, which makes sense given initial get-off and lateral movement patterns. Weight has fluctuated a bit over the years, but looks to have plenty of growth potential and like someone that could eventually carry 255 pounds or more. More notably, has tested in the upper percentile multiple times with a 7.2-second effort in the three-cone drill on file to go along with a near 10-foot broad jump. Must keep progressing and fine-tuning his craft, but has a higher ceiling as he can dip and shed while attacking corner. Initially was viewed as more of a 3-4 linebacker, but worked primarily out of a three-point stance as a 12th grader and could likely fit into a variety of different schemes depending on how his body matures.” Nunes: “Who knows what the summer will bring, but it should feel very good for Edwards and Syracuse fans that the promising defensive lineman was running with the twos regularly in spring practice and the spring game. Edwards’ speed and hands on the line could throw opposing offensive linemen off when a defensive line rotation comes in.” Brent Axe just mentions on his “Syracuse Orangesport on Syracuse.com” podcast that King Joseph “won the Heisman in the EA Sports videos games the team was playing. I don’t know what to make of that, (or what ‘twitched up’ means).
Xavier Miles is a 310lb 3-star from New Jersey who “concluded his high school career with 206 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 9 sacks”. (Cuse.com) Nunes: “The injury to Braylan Ingraham could open an opportunity for Miles to get some early-season snaps. If he’s able to hold up on the interior, he could find himself in the rotation at the defensive tackle spot this fall.”
Maraad Watson is a 313lb 3-star from New Jersey who “recorded 72 tackles (9 TFL), 15 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in seven games as a senior.” (Cuse.com) Nunes: “Watson was an early enrollee and his spring camp reps will help in the effort to get in-game snaps. A redshirt is possible, but his size alone makes it hard to dismiss him entirely.”
Grant Winter and Stan Modo are walk-ons. I’ve been able to find out nothing about Clark Calloway, except that he comes from Georgia. I was, however, able to obtain this highlight film:
Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher (feat. The Blues Brothers) - 1080p Full HD
