My 2024 SU Football Preview - the O-Line | Syracusefan.com

My 2024 SU Football Preview - the O-Line

SWC75

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OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Seniors: #74 Jakob Bradford 6-5 304 (309), #55 Josh Ilaoa 6-3 323 (334), #72 Mark Petry 6-4 301(292), #50 J'Onre Reed 6-3 316 (315)
Juniors: #56 Patrick Alberga 6-3 288 (287), #70 Enrique Cruz Jr. 6-6 319, (311), #54 Codie Hornsby 6-3 322 (280!!), #71 Lysander Moeolo 6-6 349, (360), #77 Savion Washington 6-8 340 (320), #57 Da’Metrius Weatherspoon 6-7 330 (335 ) #79 Dave Wohlabaugh Jr. 6-6 301 (315)
Sophomores: #78 Joe Cruz 6-5 308 (was 302),
Freshmen: #65 Adam Boeheim 6-4 ? (235), #76 Travis Brown-Miller 6-6 254 (300?!?), #66 Willie Goodacre 6-5 331 (300!), #75 Trevion Mack 6-6 312 (305), #73 Joshua Miller 6-4 303 (300), #53 Ted Olsen 6-2 271 (285), #67 Noah Rosahac 6-6 301 (285), #68 Vito Shevchenko 6-7 292 (291),


That’s 20 Ols for 5 positions, so we won’t run out of offensive linemen. The issue is quality. We should have a pretty good starting line-up and a rather imposing one if we put all the really big guys in at once. Can we have a strong 2-deep? Can we absorb injuries?

The line for our 1959 national champions was called the “sizable seven”. They averaged 215 pounds per man. In the late 1960’s, we had an All-East defensive lineman named Herb Stecker who weighed 190 pounds. I recall sitting in the stands before the first game at the Carrier Dome in 1980 and being impressed that our interior offensive line averaged 255 pounds per man. That was NFL sized! The biggest factor in our going from 5-6 in 1986 to 11-0 in 1987 is that a group of linemen Coach Mac had recruited after our 1985 team went to the Cherry Bowl basically took over our offensive line and suddenly the plays worked as they were drawn up on the blackboard. They averaged 275 pounds per man. I also recall a caller into one of our sports talk shows in the early 2000’s complaining that “We run the option and if you are going to run the option, you’ve got to have big guys up front. Our guys are too small. The coaches have to get out there and recruit big guys.” Firstly, I think you need quick guys to run the option. Secondly, our interior offensive line at the time averaged 306 pounds per man. How big do you want them to get?

Well, Fran Brown wants them even bigger. Even before Byron Washington, (who is 6-8 and 400 pounds) gets here next year, we could assemble an offensive line of Lysander Moeolo 6-6 349, Savion Washington 6-8 340 Da’Metrius Weatherspoon 6-7 330, Josh Ilaoa 6-3 323 and Willie Goodacre 6-5 331. That would come to 335 pounds per man. Where is this trend going? I think it could work for the offense Brown intends on running, with a pocket QB and a single running back, going between the tackles. We won’t be running the option and you don’t see the Green Bay Sweep being run much anymore.


Big guys can make a pretty good fort for the QB and can push directly ahead better than pulling and running to get to their blocks on the outside. I think, though that Kyle McCord’s back-ups are more likely to be running and scrambling QBs who need mobile linemen. And, even on the straight-ahead, circle the wagons stuff, you need some mobility to keep guys in front of you. Our monsters may be imposing but they may not be the answer to everything. I also see our most experienced players at the top of the depth chart, at least for now. We’re going to see a lot of the guys we’ve been seeing.

The holdovers are:

Jakob Bradford is a 3-star, (2 on Rivals), from Minnesota who has been a reserve most of his career here. He finally got 9 starts last year, largely; due to injuries. . Cuse.com: “Played 555 offensive snaps allowing just four sacks ... Played the first six games of the season at right guard and the rest of the year at left guard… When Syracuse turned to a run-focused attack late in the season, he helped pave the way for an offense that finished with over 172 yards per game on the ground.” 172 is hardly a steam-roller but we had 392 yards rushing against Pittsburgh when we went to the wildcat. But then teams adjusted to it and it got harder. In a Nunes article about Bradford and Mark Petry, Bradford said: “We’ve been here just waiting for our time, and now we got the opportunity,” Bradford said. “It’s rewarding, but it’s not nothing that we’re not used to, so we’re just embracing it and still playing with a chip on our shoulder.”

Josh Ilaoa sounds like he’s from Hawaii but he was born in Seattle and grew up in North Carolina. His parents have a Hawaiian/Samoan background. He was a 3 star, (also 2 on Rivals), and has also worked his way up the depth chart. A center and guard, he’s played 46 games, starting two of them, at center and guard. “Played 122 offensive snaps, allowing two sacks in that time.” (Cuse.com)

Mark Petry is a German who came over with Max Mang and has also worked his way up to first team and a position of leadership. He was a 2-star coming out of high school, probably because he hadn’t played the game all his life. He’s played 26 games here and started 11 times after spending a year in junior college. “Played 758 offensive snaps and allowed just three sacks and one quarterback hit.” (Cuse.com) The fact that these guys did a great job of protecting the quarterback suggests that our recent quarterback injuries had more to do with the QB running on his own than his pocket collapsing.

J'Onre Reed came out of junior college with quite a reputation:” J'Onre Reed calls himself “The Big General”. He was the anchor of a Hutchinson JC line that led that team to an 11-1 record and the junior college national championship game.” He was a 3-star, (2 from Rivals- what’s their problem?), from Kansas but blew past Josh Ilaoa to grab the starting center spot. “Per PFF, Reed has faced 80 allowed pressure opportunities from opposing defenders. So far, he’s allowed two pass rushes and two quarterback hurries.” That’s from this excellent article on Reed:

J’Onre Reed steps up vocally, physically to become SU's 'Big General'

Nunes said this last year: “The newcomer’s extreme physicality could earn him opportunity for playing time this fall.” They were right.

Enrique Cruz Jr. got his own source of NIL money when a group of Syracusefan,com posters got together to form a fund and they made a good choice as Enrique made his way up the depth charts. He’s appeared in 21 games with 18 starts as our starting left tackle. “Played 803 snaps on the season, not allowing a single sack and was responsible for just three hits on the quarterback.” (Cuse.com) Enrique is that rarity – a 4-star, (247 and On3 – ESPN and Rivals had him 3 stars) who came to Syracuse and stayed a 4-star.

Joe Cruz is no relation to Enrique but he’s also given us good service, even though he was only a 3-star from Long Island. He’s played in 15 games with 3 starts. “Played 208 snaps on the season (68 on pass plays) and did not allow a sack.” (Cuse.com) More good news for Kyle McCord.

Dave Wohlabaugh Jr. is, naturally, the son of Dave Wohlabaugh Sr. Dave senior played for SU, the for the Patriots, Browns and Rams from 1995-2003. Dave junior was a 3-star, (4 from On-3), from Stow, Ohio, (which also gave us Larry Csonka). He played for Kentucky in ten games, with one start and hit the transfer portal to go to Dad’s alma mater. Unfortunately, he was another player, (along with Oronde Gadsden and Stephan Thompson), who got hurt in the Western Michigan blow-out in the second game of the season. Enter Enrique Cruz, (also a Jr.). “Appeared in 12 games over the past three seasons with three starts between the two schools ... Before transferring, appeared in 10 games with two starts at Kentucky. Played 108 offensive snaps on the season and did not allow a sack.” (Cuse.com) Of course, not allowing a sack vs. Colgate and Western Michigan is not like not allowing a sack against ACC teams.

Lysander Moeolo transferred in from junior college, redshirted and didn’t play in any games, (even though red shirts can). He’s one of the big boys at 349, (he was 360 last year), but he wasn’t ready to help us, (a favorite Jim Boeheim term), last year. Bigger isn’t always better. He’s a Samoan who went to high school in Lacey, Washington, (where he was a 3-star), and then to Navarro Community College for two years, where he played 16 games. Nunes: “It’s anyone’s guess how the new offensive line will shake out, but Moeolo fits the size profile that Fran Brown seems to target for the position group. With experience and three years in a college strength program, Moeolo could compete for one of the tackle positions.”

Trevion Mack is a 3-star, (2 from Rivals, grrr…), from Minnesota who played in two games last year. Nunes: “He’s got a tough climb ahead of him this season to crack the two-deep on the line.”

Patrick Alberga is a Preferred Walk-on from Saranac Lake, NY. His next appearance in a game will be his first after four years here.

We could put together a pretty good offensive line of Bradford, Ilaoa, Petry, Reed, the Cruzes, Wohlabaugh and maybe Moeolo but we couldn’t afford many injuries and we always have them. They are all 300 pounders but most are around 300 pounds. They may be more mobile than the biggers guys Coach Brown is looking for.

Here are the new guys:

Cody Hornsby is a 322 pounder who started 21 games in the last two years for Grambling. He was regarded as a 3-star as a transfer. Nunes: “Hornsby is likely a backup interior lineman for the Orange. His massive frame should allow for playing time as an injury replacement.”

Byron Washington may someday look like Savion Washington. Both are 6-8 but Savion has melted down to 340, which is a more workable weight for this level of play. (Coach Fran wants him to lose some more – does he want him to play basketball?), Savion has played 22 games with 19 starts at Kent State, then Colorado. “Pro Football Focus gave Washington a 69.4 grade in pass blocking on the season.” That’s better than any returning SU player, (so it must be pretty good). But it fell off late in the year due to a high ankle sprain. He followed Nick Williams here from Colorado. “Washington’s size was what caught Syracuse’s immediate attention and spurred it into pursuing him. It’s been no secret the Orange has looked to add both height and weight, particularly in the trenches, since Fran Brown took over in December. In addition, Brown said that on film he saw a confidence in Washington, a trust in what he was doing and general athleticism.” (Syracuse.com) He was a 4-star as a transfer, a 3 star out of high school, (but a 2 to Rivals). But he “heard his critics” at Colorado:

MSN

Da’Metrius Weatherspoon is not as big as Savion Washington: he is only 6-7 330. He came here from Howard U., where he started all 12 games last year. PFF graded “Big Spoon” at an impressive 77.4! But that was against FCS opponents. He was a 2-star coming out of high school but he was named HBCU All-American and was 3-star transfer recruit, per Nunes.

The well-named Willie Goodacre is 6-5 331. He’s a 3-star from Texas. Nunes: “Allowed only two sacks and was named as first team All-State by the Dallas Morning News. Goodacre picked up 19 pancakes during his senior season, with 26 during his junior year… Goodacre will likely represent the scout team to start the season. With the Orange’s struggles on the o-line over recent seasons, there is still the possibility that Goodacre could get some first-team reps, particularly if the team experiences as many injuries as last season.” “Pancakes” are blocks where he knocks his man off of his feet. I hope.

Joshua Miller is a 3-star from Virginia who redshirted at Georgia last year. The Bulldogs have little use for 3-stars and Fran Brown was able to get him to join him at Syracuse, the land of the 3-stars. He’s only 303 but he may be ready to play now. Nunes: “At the end of spring camp, OL Coach Dale Williams said that Miller was battling with Enrique Cruz for a starting spot. Miller got a lot of reps with the 1s at left guard, and judging by those comments, he also practiced at left tackle. While Miller wasn’t with the top unit in the Spring Game, don’t be surprised if he keeps gaining traction over summer and into the fall.”

Noah Rosahac is a 301 pound 3-star from Pennsylvania. Nunes: Arriving in Syracuse in January gives Rosahac a better chance to make the travel squad this Fall, but the plan is for him to gain weight to prepare to play offensive tackle. He’s likely to play only enough to allow him to keep his redshirt as he acclimates to college football.” Interesting that a 301 pounder has to gain weight. I assume he passed the Rosahac test.

Vito Shevchenko is an interesting guy. He’s 6-7 292. Two and half years ago, he was a 6-5 180 tennis player. He’s from Vancouver but played his high school ball in Florida and got 3 stars. He’s only played football for two years. Nunes: “The Orange should be able to use this season to get Shevchenko and the other freshman lineman into the strength and conditioning program while seeing reps with the scout team. He’s a player that will likely need time to work into the rotation.”

Adam Boeheim, Travis Brown-Miller and Ted Olsen are walk-ons, unlikely to appear on the two-deep if they play at all.

So, will the big guys power their way into the starting line-up, making an awesome front wall and…if they do power their way into the starting line-up, will that give us an awesome front wall? Chris Carleson of Syracuse.com reported that Savion Washington and Da’Metrius Weatherspoon are now our tackles in first team offense. That shows the direction Coach Brown is going in the offensive line. Let’s look at this again:

Class of 2025 - OL Byron Washington (TX) COMMITTED TO SYRACUSE (3/23/24)

You can't look at that too many times.
 

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