Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="SoBristol, post: 2283814, member: 485"]
Encyclopedic!

You used class status based on eligibility, as opposed to years in the program.  That obscures the fact that seniors Franklin, Bennett and Thomas are 4th years in the program -- as are Slayton & Samuels at DT (RsJr), and in the secondary Cordy, Dowels, Hudson (though he is injured), and Williams (all RsJrs).  You can then add 5th years in the grad transfers Martin, Butler & Valdez as primary reserves.  It adds up to a highly experienced core group on defense, both in terms of seniority and playing experience.  This program has not had comparable senior leadership on its defensive side in several years.   A trio of underclassmen in the secondary have pushed ahead of the 4th years, namely sophomores Bradshaw & Foster & Frederick (a third year), which seems like a good thing.

The one defensive position that is truly young is DE.  Coleman & Anton Robinson might prove (in 2018 and 2019) to be one of the better DE pairings to play at SU.  At least there are good numbers for a rotation, among those 2 plus Black, Berry, and the true freshman, Kingsley Jonathan.

Notably, the defense dominated the scrimmage held in mid-August.  Maybe that was due to familiarity with the plays; maybe this defense is just better than we have had in recent years.
[/QUOTE]

Verification

What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?