SWC75
Bored Historian
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The Team
I’m not one of those who follow every recruiting tidbit and I don’t look at practice sessions. (I’m going to be at the play and don’t need to see the rehearsals.) As a result, when I look at the roster, I recognize the names of players who played last year and have a fair idea of how they played. I’ve heard some things about some of the most interesting recruits. Behind them there are a sea of guys I’ve never heard of, either because they are new or they redshirted or they haven’t played much. I’m going to cover each area of the team and each player in each area by class, (seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen, whether redshirt or true). In the latter groups most of what I’m saying is based on what I’m reading when I google their names.
When we lose players we often wonder where the players in that positon are coming from. It seems sometimes as if we expect to look out on the field and see no one there. It’s a 104 man roster. I count five quarterbacks, 8 running backs, 15 wide receivers, 7 tight ends, 15 offensive linemen, 13 defensive linemen, 14 linebackers, 20 defensive backs and, amazingly 7 kickers. (Some players are listed at more than one positon.) We aren’t going to run out of guys. The question is, how good or ready are the guys we use? And will we play somebody out of positon because he’d be a better option than what is available at that spot?
My sources, besides what I remember of certain players, are Street and Smith’s, (they have returned to that name after being under The Sporting News brand for the last few years), Lindy’s and Phil Steele’s preseason magazines, what I could find when I googled the names (Especially from Cuse.com, the University’s site, Syracuse.com, the local newspaper’s site and TroyNunesisanAbsoluteMagician.com, probably the top SU blog) and comments from the board by other posters.
Quarterbacks
Seniors: Zach Mahoney; Juniors: Eric Dungey; Sophomores: Clayton Welch; Freshmen: Rex Culpepper and Tommy DeVito
Eric Dungey is clearly the incumbent. He replaced Terrell Hunt 9 plays into the season opener as a true freshman and has never surrendered it, despite a series of injuries which ended his season early in each of his first two years. And that’s the problem: he’s a ticking time bomb. He’s built himself up to 6-4 222 but that doesn’t protect his head and he seems to have had multiple concussions. SU has a policy about how many concussions a player can absorb and still play and they’ve DQ’d several players in recent years because of it; (some have enrolled at other schools in an attempt to continue their careers). The details of the policy seem unclear although it appears to have some flexibility. They don’t give out the details of injuries. As a result we don’t know how close Dungy might be to suddenly being DQ’d. When healthy, he’s, (ironically) a heady QB who knows how to run the offense, is a good leader, throws a catchable ball, (I don’t think he has NFL arm strength), and is athletic enough and courageous enough to run the ball, sometimes not in his own best interests. That’s why having a good back-up is a necessity.
SU is blessed there. Zach Mahoney was recruited almost as an afterthought by the previous regime as a JUCO transfer. He started the season as a 5th string QB, basically an emergency guy. But a series of injuries, (including a DQ of a QB due to concussions), put him in the #2 job and when Dungey got leveled by Central Michigan, (see below), Zach found himself our starting QB against LSU. We expected to get destroyed but Zach passed for 154 yards and 3 TDs, one a 40 yard bomb and ran for 40 yards as we lost only 24-34 to a national title contender. I remember talking to some LSU fans who were shocked that that was our 5th string guy. Later in the season, he took over again when Dungey had a season ending injury against Louisville and the started the next week against #1 ranked Clemson. Again a disaster was expected but we got a great game, losing 27-37. Mahoney didn’t have any TD passes but ran for two scores. He then led the team in a 29-42 loss at NC State and a 20-17 season ending victory over Boston College. Last season he again had to take over for the last three games. We lost all of them but scored 95 points in those games, including the amazing Pittsburgh game, where he threw for 5 TDs and ran for two more! He accounted for 489 yards total offense, (it might have been less if anyone was playing any defense). Zach has a stronger arm than Dungey but less accurate. He was recruited for an offense where the QB ran so he is mobile but Dungey does better throwing on the run. Zach completed 46% of his passes his first year but 60% last year so he’s improving. In two years he’s passed for 15TDs vs. 6 int while attempting 252 passes and ran for 4 scores while Dungey, in 531 attempts threw 33TD passes vs. 12 int. and ran for 11 scores. So we are blessed with a competent, experienced back-up QB, something not a lot of schools can say. It’s a good thing we can say it.
Tommy DeVito, (6-2, 204), is the first bright, shinning quarterback recruit of the Babers era. The consensus is that he is the most talented of any of these potential field generals. People have seen it in practice: easily the strongest arm and the most accurate. He’ll probably be the guy that takes us wherever we will eventually go in this era. The question is: when does his era begin? Many want to redshirt him since Dungey will presumably be back next year and we’d want DeVito in reserve with three years as the starter to come. Some are suggesting he should displace Mahoney as the back-up this season and be the one to take over if Dungey is again unable to finish the season. Fortunately, a redshirt decision is not set in stone: Babers can wait and see if he needs DeVito this year. But he is the future. His film shows everything you’d want to see. He puts good zip on the ball, especially on those sideline passes, (Dungey’s take a while to get there and are “catchable” for either team). He can tone it down when he needs some touch. He runs the ball very well. Babers may not like that but off of what happened last year, it’s a good quality to have.
Tommy DeVito on Hudl
Rex Culpepper, (son of Brad Culpepper, who played for 9 years as a DT in the NFL, 6-3 221) was one of the last touted recruits of the Shafer Era. Babers had a chance to pass on him but decided he had good potential and completed his recruitment. At one time he was considered the likely successor to Dungey but he seems to have faded into the background, especially since the recruitment of DeVito. But quarterbacks do get injured and he may get his chance. If he doesn’t, he might look elsewhere for an opportunity. He redshirted last year. There have been some suggestions that he was over-rated all along because of the reputation of his father, even though Brad didn’t play the same positon. Everybody looks good in a highlight film. I’d say that Rex’s passes seem to have a higher arc and to “float” a little more than DeVito’s. I think Rex would be more dependent on his receivers to go and get the ball in traffic than Tommy, who can really “thread the needle”. Rex is bigger than DeVito and runs with the more power but that’s not what Babers is looking for.
Clayton Welch, (a big dude at 6-5 235), is an unheralded junior college transfer who will be our emergency back-up – exactly what Zach Mahoney was when he arrived here. Welch seems like more of a runner than a passer:
College
There’s been no updated depth chart posted on Syracuse.com but Stephen Bailey, who covers the team for Syracuse.com and has been to the practices made some educated guesses about Baber’s options at each positon in an article in the Sunday paper. Bailey says that Babers “surely hopes Dungey will take every meaningful snap this season (but) I believe if Dungey goes down with a long-term injury in the first half of the season, DeVito will step in…A short term injury to Dungey or one sustained later in the season would likely lead to Mahoney taking over.” That’s an impressive thing for DeVito – that he could move into what normally would be a set situation with an experienced starter and back-up with the possibility of blowing his redshirt with Dungey still available next year. DeVito must be very good, a guy who could elevate the program even beyond Dungey.
I’d rate our quarterback situation as “well above average” although the continuing good health of Dungey is an issue.
Running Backs
Seniors: None Juniors: Tyrone Perkins and Dontae Strickland; Sophomores: Moe Neal and Otto Zaccardo Freshmen: Chris Elmore, Luke Erickson, Jack Guida, Markenzy Pierre and Allen Stritzinger
Two years ago Scott Shafer and his coaches recruited three good-looking running back recruits: Jordan Fredericks, the NYS player of the year, Dontae Strickland one of the top recruits out of New Jersey and Tyrone Perkins, another New York State star. I remember looking at films of them, trying to decide who was best, (playing against high school players). It seemed close. When they got here, it was not close. In 2015, Fredericks gained 607 yards at 5.7 yards per carry. Strickland gained 81 yards at 3.9. Perkins had 1 carry for 5 yards. Last year everyone assumed that Fredericks would be the “feature back” Babers wants to give him the running game he needs to offset his passing game. He was bigger, faster and had more moves than Strickland and we’d seen nothing of Perkins. For reasons that no doubt made sense to him but were unfathomable to SU fans, Babers soured on Fredericks and made him third string behind Strickland and slender recruit Moe Neal. Fredericks ran for 139 yards at 5.0 per pop. Strickland ran for 566 but at only 3.5/carry. Neal, who had good straight ahead speed but “a high school body” according to Babers, gained 357 yards at 5.3 per carry. Perkins never even carried the ball. Fredericks transferred out. Baber’s staff brought in some more promising RBs but reports from camp are that Babers remains ‘in love’ with Strickland as a his running back, leaving fans to expect more of the same from last year. And more of the same isn’t going to get it done.
Strickland (5-11 207) did have one good game last year- against South Florida, when he ran for 127 yards on 30 carries (4.2) but didn’t score. The rest of the year he was 132/439 (3.3). The RB calls out the blocking assignments in Baber’s offense and Strickland was supposed to be a whiz at that. He caught 21 passes for 132 yards (6.3). Reports from camp are that he’s looking stronger and faster. It would help if he ran the ball in more than one type of play. Hopefully there will be more games like the South Florida game.
Moe Neal is 5-11 182, (up from 169 last year). He’s got great speed but doesn’t really have the body of a feature back. He’s better off as more of a hybrid player, running the ball and catching passes. He was in fact, moved to that kind of positon but then moved back to RB, suggesting that the new recruits did not impress and might be redshirted. Moe had a handful of plays where he burst through the defense and out-ran people for big plays but was not able to consistently gain ground. Moe might be able to help us as a kick returner.
Tyrone Perkins has basically disappeared from games, (they gave him a try at wide receiver), but is still on the roster. Perhaps he might emerge with some kind of role at the end of his college career. Otto Zaccardo, (5-10 199) is in the same boat. He saw some time on special teams in his first year but that was it.
The freshmen are an interesting group but I don’t know how much we’ll see of them this year. The key one would appear to be Markenzy Pierre (5-11 214) from Florida who ran for 2537 yards (10.4 yards a pop), and 31TDs last year. Looking at his film, he looks impressive, with power, good but conservative moves, an awareness of what’s going on around him and enough speed to out-run high school players. I think some of those long TD runs would be 10-15 yarders in college but I have no prejudice against 10-15 yard runs.
Markenzy Pierre on Hudl
Chris Elmore is an interesting specimen. He’s 6-0 280 and could provide some real help on the defensive line. But Babers has been trying him out as a fullback or “H” back, thinking he could help more on offense.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know H-back/DT commit Chris Elmore
Allen Stritzinger (6-1 190) is an “athlete” who could play DB as well as RB, except we have plenty of people there at the moment. He was rated the #108 RB in the country but as high as #46 as a safety and #41 as a cornerback but "running back is where my heart is at”. Syracuse.com: “How Syracuse handles Stritzinger position-wise will be very interesting. He doesn't fit the traditional mold for a running back in head coach Dino Babers' system, but none of the currently rostered backs do either. Only commit Markenzy Pierre runs with that bruising, between-the-tackles style.” Stritzinger’s highlight tape seems unexceptional, leading me to believe that his future is more likely to be on defense:
Allen Stritzinger on Hudl
Luke Erickson (6-0 200) is a walk-on whose immediate future might be with special teams. I’ve been able to find out very little about Jack Guida (6-0 185) except he’s also a lacrosse player. I suspect his future will be similar to Erickson’s.
Bailey has reported that Strickland has shown “a harder and more efficient running style during camp so he should be the primary early down running back. I do expect the Orange to make a concerted effort to get Neal touches. He’s a legitimate home run threat who can line up anywhere on the field” I hope they are a lot better than what we saw last year. Bailey also said that Pierce “may need time to earn some reps” and that Perkins has been working out with the second team.
I would rate our running back group as “below average” unless Pierre blows by everyone to make runs like the ones we saw on his tape. (One last shot: I think Jordan Fredericks was better than any of these guys.)
Wide Receivers
Seniors: Sean Avant, Steve Ismael, Ervin Phillips; Juniors: Jamal Custis, Adley Enoicy and Ben Brickman; Sophomores: Devin C. Butler and Sean Riley; Freshman: Russell Thompson- Bishop, Tyler Giftus, K. K. Hahn, Cameron Jordan, Nykeim Johnson and Sherod Johnson
Amba Etta-Tawo had the greatest season a Syracuse receiver ever had: 94 catches, 1,482 yards, (15.8), and 14TDs. All three were SU records, (the third a tie). He was big (6-2 202), fast enough to get separation, athletic enough and with good enough hands to go up and get the ball in a crowd. He had moves he could use to get free. He was a pleasure to watch all season. And his numbers were not simply the product of Baber’s system. They were the product of AET’s talent. Our quarterback looked first for him, then for Erv Phillips. Other receivers came after that. Now AET is gone, (he was a grad transfer). The good news is that his past history did not suggest that he was anything special: In three years at Maryland he’d caught 61 passes for 938 yards, (15.4), and 2 scores. That leaves hope that a player could emerge and be that good this year, or at least in the future and we’ve got some people who might have at least the raw ability to do that.
Steve Ismael, (6-2 209), was thought to be our ace receiver going into last season. In his first two years, under Scott Shafer’s system, he caught 66 balls for 985 yards, (14.9) and 10TDs. With AET, he became the “possession” receiver, (if you don’t have possession, you aren’t a receiver), with 48 catches for 559 yards (11.6) and only 1 score. He figures to move back into the quarterback’s cross-hairs this year- unless someone else emerges.
If one does, that will probably be either Jamal Custis or one of two players we have named Devin Butler. Custis is big (6-5 227: there’s been a thought of using him as a tight end) with unusual speed for his size but he’s never quite put it all together. Having to learn a different offense every year he’s been here probably didn’t help. Halfway through his career he has 5 catches for 22 yards. But reports are he’s in the thick of the battle for the other WR slot. Butler played QB in high school but projected as a WR in college. He also has good size, (6-3 196) and athletic ability. He had two catches for 14 yards last year.
Erv Phillips is a converted running back, (who would also make a fine traditional halfback), who plays in the “slot” these days. Last year he caught almost as many balls as AET: 90 for 822 yards (9.1) and 6TDs. He’ll have a similar role this year but is unlikely to top those numbers. Erv is not big (5-11 181) but he has some speed and great moves. But he did not prove to be a big play threat last year. He’s more of a dump-off guy if the deep threat is covered. He’ll get you more first downs than touchdowns.
Adley Enoicy is similar to Custis, (6-5 228) but keeps getting hurt. So does Sean Avant, who has an unusual physique for a WR: 5-10 217. Sean Riley is a water-bug type (5-8 155) who mostly returns kicks. Ben Brickman is only slightly bigger (5-8 178) but caught only 3 passes in junior college last year. I don’t expect to see much of any of them this season.
I think Babers is more likely to go to his freshmen for depth here. He’s recruited very well here with an eye to what he wants the SU offense to look like going forward. Russell Thompson-Bishop (6-1 200) was rated a 3 star recruit and ESPN said he was the 105th best wide receiver in the country. As a senior, he caught 46 passes for 1025 yards (22.3) and 14 scores. He ran a 4.46 forty, which is very good, if not blazing speed for a WR. His film shows he has a great awareness of where the ball, (and in one case the edge of the end zone) and the hands and athleticism to fight off defenders and get the ball. I think that’s more important than speed. He’ll make any quarterback look good.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know WR Russell Thompson-Bishop
Cameron Jordan (6-3 195, per SU’s website. Syracuse.com says 6-4 187- either way, he’s tall) was also 3 star and the #135 WR per 247Sports.com. He ran a 4.51 forty. In his tape he looked a bit faster than RTB. With that size, he could be a big red zone weapon. He’d be perfect for those fades to the corner of the end zone.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know WR Cameron Jordan
Nykeim Johnson and Sherod Johnson are not related except they are now ‘brothers’ in Orange. Sharod is bigger at 5-11 170 vs. 5-8 163. Both were 3 star recruits. Sharod was rated the #78 receiver by ESPN. He’s from Miami and had 50 catches for 764 yards (15.3) and 7 touchdowns. Nykeem , from DC, caught 75 passes for 1,100 yards (14.7) and 19 touchdowns. He runs a 4.42 forty and was rated #114 by ESPN. Sharod looks like more of a “moves” guy. He ran a 4.63 forty. He may be similar to Erv Phillips. Nykeem is more Brisley Estime: moves + speed.
Nykeim: Nykeim Johnson on Hudl
Sharod: LOOSE SCREW !! (Sr.Year)
K.K. (Kerrick) Hahn (5-10 172) and Tyler Giftus (6-1 195) redshirted last year and were walk-ons. Hahn was coached by former Florida State Heisman winner, (and Syracuse Chief’s third baseman) Chris Weinke. Giftus was a QB in high school.
Bailey praised Ismael as having “some of the best hands in the country”, (two of them, presumably). He says Custis has “created some separation from Butler” but he lists Sharod Johnson as the #2 wide-out behind Ismael, which is a surprise. Erv Phillips in the slot (where Sharod started- he moved out to the wing when Enoicy got hurt), and Bailey calls him “Syracuse’s most dynamic offensive threat”. He has Riley as the backup and says that he “appears a step faster” but that Nykeim Johnson “isn’t far behind”.
I would rate our wide receiver corps above average- and they’re going to get better.
Tight Ends
Seniors: none Juniors: Ravian Pierce, Kyle Kleinberg and Joe Pasquale; Sophomores: none; Freshman: Jesse Connors, Chris Elmore, Aaron Hackett and Donny Sanders
I’m a big fan of fullbacks and of tight ends. Apparently Babers also likes tight ends. We haven’t had a good pass-catching tight end since Nick Provo and Becket Wales early in this decade. But Dino went out and got one in JUCO transfer Ravian Pierce, (6-3 237), He caught 77 passes for 733 yards (9.5) and 5 touchdowns in two years in junior college and was rated the second best JCU tight end by ESPN. Lindy’s says he has “sharp hands and fluid hips”. (Is that good?). His film shows me everything I’d like to see: size, speed, (he runs a tight end around), and blocking ability.
Ravian Pierce on Hudl
One of the things I noticed about Baber’s passing attack last year is that everything was either deep or to the sideline. We never seemed to throw to the middle of the field. When Ryan Nassib was pitching to Provo and Wales, as well as Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales, those guys carved teams up over the middle. I hope the recruitment of Pierce is a sign that Babers, as he opens up his offense, will be exploiting that part of the field more this year. Kleinberg is listed as a TE but he’s small for that spot (6-0 208) and is mostly a special teams player. Pasquale has the size for the positon (6-6 244) but is a walk-on.
Any depth will come from the freshmen.
Aaron Hackett (6-3 225) figures to be Pierce’s back-up. He was rated 2-3 stars and anywhere from the #31 Y-tight end, (I don’t know what a Y-tight end is), to #101 in the class. "They want me to be a receiving threat downfield, a guy they can get the ball to consistently, as well as be able to stay in and hold my own block." He was coached by former SU tight end Becket Wales. I wasn’t able to find a lot of film on him. This was the longest one:
Signing Day 2017 | Aaron Hackett
Chris Elmore is listed on the roster as a “FB/TE”. A 6-0 280 tight end? Maybe… Donny Sanders (6-6 235) has a highlight film but it’s as a quarterback. Jesse Connors (6-2 222) is a redshirt freshman but his redshirt year was at Holy Cross. He walked at Syracuse but has to sit out 2017 due to the transfer rule. It’s kind of too bad because he impressed in spring practice: Syracuse.com: “He surprised some of the returners with his physicality and catching ability.” We may see him in the mix next year.
So it’s basically Pierce and Hackett. Since neither has played yet, I’m going to list this unit as “average” but that assessment could go up quickly if Pierce is the real deal. Bailey thinks he is: “Pierce appears capable of providing exactly what the SU staff envisioned- a dynamic contributor in the passing game and a willing blocker.”
Offensive Linemen
Seniors: Jamar McGloster Juniors: Cody Conway and Kenton Darvey Sophomores: Colin Byrne, Samuel Clausman and Andreias Duerig; Freshmen: Austin Chandler, Mike Clark, Dakota Davis, Patrick Davis, Sam Heckel, Liam O’Sulllivan, Airon Servias
Doug Marrone was determined to build us a good offensive line and he did. For a few short years we had a good situation: we always had 3-4 veteran lineman who would from the core of the next line and bring the new guys up to their level. That ended when injuries wiped out the unit in 2014. It’s been patchwork since.
McGloster (6-7 309) is the one senior and thus the leader of the group. He can play but we don’t have 3-4 of him. Starting guard Aaron Roberts ripped up a knee in off-season workouts and won’t be able to play at all this year. Conway played a lot last year (6-6 296). Foster (6-3 314) is a former walk-on who played 6 games at center last year due to injuries. Darney (6-3 285) has played mostly on the punt team. (Late Update: Foster will not be returning to the team after a knee injury last spring didn’t heal.)
Byrne (6-5 299) was the guy Foster replaced at center after Colin replaced the injured Jason Emerich. We had three 500 yard offense games when he was in there, per the SU website. (He snapped the ball really well.) . Clausman (6-3 331) played mostly on the PAT team. Duerig (6-3 321) did the same and also played on the punt team.
Babers said he wanted offensive linemen with lower body strength and mobility. He wasn’t happy with what he had last year. Thus the development of the freshmen will be significant.
Coaches love tall offensive linemen. Backs can hide behind them before making their cut and defenders can’t jump over them to block passes. Mike Clark, a 6-8 292 redshirt freshman qualifies. He was a 3 star recruit out of Pennsylvania. Liam O’Sullivan is a booked at 6-8 270. He is a redshirt from Illinois with an 80 inch wingspan. He was a 3 star and the #116 best tackle prospect. Babers started recruiting where he knows the players: in the Midwest. His first three SU recruits were Aaron Serviais, Sam Heckel and O’Sullivan. Heckel, (6-4 292) a 3 star from Wisconsin, also red-shirted. He had been rated the #48 tackle by ESPN. He’s said to be the front-runner to replace Roberts. Serviais (6-6 305), is another Wisconsin red shirt. He’s in the mix at center this year, next to Heckel. He was wearing a “boot” and saw limited action early in fall practice but Coach Babers said of him and the DE’s Jake Pickard and Josh Black, (see below): "All those guys are OK. They're not injuries. Some of those guys are just precautionary stuff. If a guy's got a swollen ankle, you put a boot on it. It's not like it's broken or anything. So those guys should be good."
Dakota Davis (6-5 315) is a 3 star true freshman from Maryland who was rated the #58 guard prospect and #96 tackle prospect in the country, per ESPN. Syracuse.com says he: “enjoys breaking opponents' wills and making them want to quit.” That’s a good attitude. He “paved the way for consecutive 2,000 yard rushers in high school” per Nunes. The unrelated Patrick Davis is a 6-5 320 Canadian who was rated the #3 overall prospect in Canada. He was rated 3 stars and the #86 guard available by ESPN. He was an early enrollee and joined the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Austin Chandler (6-4 290) is a 2 star “preferred” walk-on who came here all the way from California. Scout rated him the #109 guard in the country, which is a pretty good rating for a walk-on. DIY College rankings: “The preferred walk-on has actually been recruited by the coach who generally has offered the player a spot on the roster. The player isn’t offered any scholarship money as a freshman but there is the possibility in the future. A plain walk-on player is someone who has decided to try out for the team without the coach’s support. It’s possible that the coach actually knows the athlete but never actually pursued him.” So Chandler is a guy who has the potential to be a decent player but Babers didn’t want to waste a scholarship on him- yet.
Bailey has his own depth chart for the O-line. Comparing it to the preseason depth chart issued by Babers, Heckel replaces Roberts. Duerig moves into his former spot backing up Servais at center, replacing Foster. The rest of it remains the same. Conway, Heckel, Servais, Adams and McGloster are the starters. O’Sullivan, Pat Davis, Byrne and Clark are the other back-ups. That’s 1senior, 1 junior, 3 sophs and 5 freshmen, one a true freshman, so these guys will have a chance to grow as a group that will be here a while. Bailey notes that Babers likes to cross-train linemen so the best guys can play multiple positons, which increases depth. Bailey did say Servias has been bothered by his “nagging ankle injury”. Ankles are pretty important, especially when you are a big guy trying to push other big guys out of the way.
Babers has obviously focused on recruiting the type of offensive linemen he likes and those players will someday be part of an above average line. I remember how an influx of young, big talented offensive linemen turned us form a 5-6 team into an 11-0 team in 1987. I don’t expect that but I do believe there will be a significant upgrade here over the next couple of years and that that will lead to our next breakthrough season. But it’s not going to be overnight this time. For now I have to rate them as average, although they are going to have hard time looking even that good against the defensive front sevens they will be facing. It will be a battle of 3 stars vs. 4 and 5 stars.
I’m not one of those who follow every recruiting tidbit and I don’t look at practice sessions. (I’m going to be at the play and don’t need to see the rehearsals.) As a result, when I look at the roster, I recognize the names of players who played last year and have a fair idea of how they played. I’ve heard some things about some of the most interesting recruits. Behind them there are a sea of guys I’ve never heard of, either because they are new or they redshirted or they haven’t played much. I’m going to cover each area of the team and each player in each area by class, (seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen, whether redshirt or true). In the latter groups most of what I’m saying is based on what I’m reading when I google their names.
When we lose players we often wonder where the players in that positon are coming from. It seems sometimes as if we expect to look out on the field and see no one there. It’s a 104 man roster. I count five quarterbacks, 8 running backs, 15 wide receivers, 7 tight ends, 15 offensive linemen, 13 defensive linemen, 14 linebackers, 20 defensive backs and, amazingly 7 kickers. (Some players are listed at more than one positon.) We aren’t going to run out of guys. The question is, how good or ready are the guys we use? And will we play somebody out of positon because he’d be a better option than what is available at that spot?
My sources, besides what I remember of certain players, are Street and Smith’s, (they have returned to that name after being under The Sporting News brand for the last few years), Lindy’s and Phil Steele’s preseason magazines, what I could find when I googled the names (Especially from Cuse.com, the University’s site, Syracuse.com, the local newspaper’s site and TroyNunesisanAbsoluteMagician.com, probably the top SU blog) and comments from the board by other posters.
Quarterbacks
Seniors: Zach Mahoney; Juniors: Eric Dungey; Sophomores: Clayton Welch; Freshmen: Rex Culpepper and Tommy DeVito
Eric Dungey is clearly the incumbent. He replaced Terrell Hunt 9 plays into the season opener as a true freshman and has never surrendered it, despite a series of injuries which ended his season early in each of his first two years. And that’s the problem: he’s a ticking time bomb. He’s built himself up to 6-4 222 but that doesn’t protect his head and he seems to have had multiple concussions. SU has a policy about how many concussions a player can absorb and still play and they’ve DQ’d several players in recent years because of it; (some have enrolled at other schools in an attempt to continue their careers). The details of the policy seem unclear although it appears to have some flexibility. They don’t give out the details of injuries. As a result we don’t know how close Dungy might be to suddenly being DQ’d. When healthy, he’s, (ironically) a heady QB who knows how to run the offense, is a good leader, throws a catchable ball, (I don’t think he has NFL arm strength), and is athletic enough and courageous enough to run the ball, sometimes not in his own best interests. That’s why having a good back-up is a necessity.
SU is blessed there. Zach Mahoney was recruited almost as an afterthought by the previous regime as a JUCO transfer. He started the season as a 5th string QB, basically an emergency guy. But a series of injuries, (including a DQ of a QB due to concussions), put him in the #2 job and when Dungey got leveled by Central Michigan, (see below), Zach found himself our starting QB against LSU. We expected to get destroyed but Zach passed for 154 yards and 3 TDs, one a 40 yard bomb and ran for 40 yards as we lost only 24-34 to a national title contender. I remember talking to some LSU fans who were shocked that that was our 5th string guy. Later in the season, he took over again when Dungey had a season ending injury against Louisville and the started the next week against #1 ranked Clemson. Again a disaster was expected but we got a great game, losing 27-37. Mahoney didn’t have any TD passes but ran for two scores. He then led the team in a 29-42 loss at NC State and a 20-17 season ending victory over Boston College. Last season he again had to take over for the last three games. We lost all of them but scored 95 points in those games, including the amazing Pittsburgh game, where he threw for 5 TDs and ran for two more! He accounted for 489 yards total offense, (it might have been less if anyone was playing any defense). Zach has a stronger arm than Dungey but less accurate. He was recruited for an offense where the QB ran so he is mobile but Dungey does better throwing on the run. Zach completed 46% of his passes his first year but 60% last year so he’s improving. In two years he’s passed for 15TDs vs. 6 int while attempting 252 passes and ran for 4 scores while Dungey, in 531 attempts threw 33TD passes vs. 12 int. and ran for 11 scores. So we are blessed with a competent, experienced back-up QB, something not a lot of schools can say. It’s a good thing we can say it.
Tommy DeVito, (6-2, 204), is the first bright, shinning quarterback recruit of the Babers era. The consensus is that he is the most talented of any of these potential field generals. People have seen it in practice: easily the strongest arm and the most accurate. He’ll probably be the guy that takes us wherever we will eventually go in this era. The question is: when does his era begin? Many want to redshirt him since Dungey will presumably be back next year and we’d want DeVito in reserve with three years as the starter to come. Some are suggesting he should displace Mahoney as the back-up this season and be the one to take over if Dungey is again unable to finish the season. Fortunately, a redshirt decision is not set in stone: Babers can wait and see if he needs DeVito this year. But he is the future. His film shows everything you’d want to see. He puts good zip on the ball, especially on those sideline passes, (Dungey’s take a while to get there and are “catchable” for either team). He can tone it down when he needs some touch. He runs the ball very well. Babers may not like that but off of what happened last year, it’s a good quality to have.
Tommy DeVito on Hudl
Rex Culpepper, (son of Brad Culpepper, who played for 9 years as a DT in the NFL, 6-3 221) was one of the last touted recruits of the Shafer Era. Babers had a chance to pass on him but decided he had good potential and completed his recruitment. At one time he was considered the likely successor to Dungey but he seems to have faded into the background, especially since the recruitment of DeVito. But quarterbacks do get injured and he may get his chance. If he doesn’t, he might look elsewhere for an opportunity. He redshirted last year. There have been some suggestions that he was over-rated all along because of the reputation of his father, even though Brad didn’t play the same positon. Everybody looks good in a highlight film. I’d say that Rex’s passes seem to have a higher arc and to “float” a little more than DeVito’s. I think Rex would be more dependent on his receivers to go and get the ball in traffic than Tommy, who can really “thread the needle”. Rex is bigger than DeVito and runs with the more power but that’s not what Babers is looking for.
Clayton Welch, (a big dude at 6-5 235), is an unheralded junior college transfer who will be our emergency back-up – exactly what Zach Mahoney was when he arrived here. Welch seems like more of a runner than a passer:
College
There’s been no updated depth chart posted on Syracuse.com but Stephen Bailey, who covers the team for Syracuse.com and has been to the practices made some educated guesses about Baber’s options at each positon in an article in the Sunday paper. Bailey says that Babers “surely hopes Dungey will take every meaningful snap this season (but) I believe if Dungey goes down with a long-term injury in the first half of the season, DeVito will step in…A short term injury to Dungey or one sustained later in the season would likely lead to Mahoney taking over.” That’s an impressive thing for DeVito – that he could move into what normally would be a set situation with an experienced starter and back-up with the possibility of blowing his redshirt with Dungey still available next year. DeVito must be very good, a guy who could elevate the program even beyond Dungey.
I’d rate our quarterback situation as “well above average” although the continuing good health of Dungey is an issue.
Running Backs
Seniors: None Juniors: Tyrone Perkins and Dontae Strickland; Sophomores: Moe Neal and Otto Zaccardo Freshmen: Chris Elmore, Luke Erickson, Jack Guida, Markenzy Pierre and Allen Stritzinger
Two years ago Scott Shafer and his coaches recruited three good-looking running back recruits: Jordan Fredericks, the NYS player of the year, Dontae Strickland one of the top recruits out of New Jersey and Tyrone Perkins, another New York State star. I remember looking at films of them, trying to decide who was best, (playing against high school players). It seemed close. When they got here, it was not close. In 2015, Fredericks gained 607 yards at 5.7 yards per carry. Strickland gained 81 yards at 3.9. Perkins had 1 carry for 5 yards. Last year everyone assumed that Fredericks would be the “feature back” Babers wants to give him the running game he needs to offset his passing game. He was bigger, faster and had more moves than Strickland and we’d seen nothing of Perkins. For reasons that no doubt made sense to him but were unfathomable to SU fans, Babers soured on Fredericks and made him third string behind Strickland and slender recruit Moe Neal. Fredericks ran for 139 yards at 5.0 per pop. Strickland ran for 566 but at only 3.5/carry. Neal, who had good straight ahead speed but “a high school body” according to Babers, gained 357 yards at 5.3 per carry. Perkins never even carried the ball. Fredericks transferred out. Baber’s staff brought in some more promising RBs but reports from camp are that Babers remains ‘in love’ with Strickland as a his running back, leaving fans to expect more of the same from last year. And more of the same isn’t going to get it done.
Strickland (5-11 207) did have one good game last year- against South Florida, when he ran for 127 yards on 30 carries (4.2) but didn’t score. The rest of the year he was 132/439 (3.3). The RB calls out the blocking assignments in Baber’s offense and Strickland was supposed to be a whiz at that. He caught 21 passes for 132 yards (6.3). Reports from camp are that he’s looking stronger and faster. It would help if he ran the ball in more than one type of play. Hopefully there will be more games like the South Florida game.
Moe Neal is 5-11 182, (up from 169 last year). He’s got great speed but doesn’t really have the body of a feature back. He’s better off as more of a hybrid player, running the ball and catching passes. He was in fact, moved to that kind of positon but then moved back to RB, suggesting that the new recruits did not impress and might be redshirted. Moe had a handful of plays where he burst through the defense and out-ran people for big plays but was not able to consistently gain ground. Moe might be able to help us as a kick returner.
Tyrone Perkins has basically disappeared from games, (they gave him a try at wide receiver), but is still on the roster. Perhaps he might emerge with some kind of role at the end of his college career. Otto Zaccardo, (5-10 199) is in the same boat. He saw some time on special teams in his first year but that was it.
The freshmen are an interesting group but I don’t know how much we’ll see of them this year. The key one would appear to be Markenzy Pierre (5-11 214) from Florida who ran for 2537 yards (10.4 yards a pop), and 31TDs last year. Looking at his film, he looks impressive, with power, good but conservative moves, an awareness of what’s going on around him and enough speed to out-run high school players. I think some of those long TD runs would be 10-15 yarders in college but I have no prejudice against 10-15 yard runs.
Markenzy Pierre on Hudl
Chris Elmore is an interesting specimen. He’s 6-0 280 and could provide some real help on the defensive line. But Babers has been trying him out as a fullback or “H” back, thinking he could help more on offense.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know H-back/DT commit Chris Elmore
Allen Stritzinger (6-1 190) is an “athlete” who could play DB as well as RB, except we have plenty of people there at the moment. He was rated the #108 RB in the country but as high as #46 as a safety and #41 as a cornerback but "running back is where my heart is at”. Syracuse.com: “How Syracuse handles Stritzinger position-wise will be very interesting. He doesn't fit the traditional mold for a running back in head coach Dino Babers' system, but none of the currently rostered backs do either. Only commit Markenzy Pierre runs with that bruising, between-the-tackles style.” Stritzinger’s highlight tape seems unexceptional, leading me to believe that his future is more likely to be on defense:
Allen Stritzinger on Hudl
Luke Erickson (6-0 200) is a walk-on whose immediate future might be with special teams. I’ve been able to find out very little about Jack Guida (6-0 185) except he’s also a lacrosse player. I suspect his future will be similar to Erickson’s.
Bailey has reported that Strickland has shown “a harder and more efficient running style during camp so he should be the primary early down running back. I do expect the Orange to make a concerted effort to get Neal touches. He’s a legitimate home run threat who can line up anywhere on the field” I hope they are a lot better than what we saw last year. Bailey also said that Pierce “may need time to earn some reps” and that Perkins has been working out with the second team.
I would rate our running back group as “below average” unless Pierre blows by everyone to make runs like the ones we saw on his tape. (One last shot: I think Jordan Fredericks was better than any of these guys.)
Wide Receivers
Seniors: Sean Avant, Steve Ismael, Ervin Phillips; Juniors: Jamal Custis, Adley Enoicy and Ben Brickman; Sophomores: Devin C. Butler and Sean Riley; Freshman: Russell Thompson- Bishop, Tyler Giftus, K. K. Hahn, Cameron Jordan, Nykeim Johnson and Sherod Johnson
Amba Etta-Tawo had the greatest season a Syracuse receiver ever had: 94 catches, 1,482 yards, (15.8), and 14TDs. All three were SU records, (the third a tie). He was big (6-2 202), fast enough to get separation, athletic enough and with good enough hands to go up and get the ball in a crowd. He had moves he could use to get free. He was a pleasure to watch all season. And his numbers were not simply the product of Baber’s system. They were the product of AET’s talent. Our quarterback looked first for him, then for Erv Phillips. Other receivers came after that. Now AET is gone, (he was a grad transfer). The good news is that his past history did not suggest that he was anything special: In three years at Maryland he’d caught 61 passes for 938 yards, (15.4), and 2 scores. That leaves hope that a player could emerge and be that good this year, or at least in the future and we’ve got some people who might have at least the raw ability to do that.
Steve Ismael, (6-2 209), was thought to be our ace receiver going into last season. In his first two years, under Scott Shafer’s system, he caught 66 balls for 985 yards, (14.9) and 10TDs. With AET, he became the “possession” receiver, (if you don’t have possession, you aren’t a receiver), with 48 catches for 559 yards (11.6) and only 1 score. He figures to move back into the quarterback’s cross-hairs this year- unless someone else emerges.
If one does, that will probably be either Jamal Custis or one of two players we have named Devin Butler. Custis is big (6-5 227: there’s been a thought of using him as a tight end) with unusual speed for his size but he’s never quite put it all together. Having to learn a different offense every year he’s been here probably didn’t help. Halfway through his career he has 5 catches for 22 yards. But reports are he’s in the thick of the battle for the other WR slot. Butler played QB in high school but projected as a WR in college. He also has good size, (6-3 196) and athletic ability. He had two catches for 14 yards last year.
Erv Phillips is a converted running back, (who would also make a fine traditional halfback), who plays in the “slot” these days. Last year he caught almost as many balls as AET: 90 for 822 yards (9.1) and 6TDs. He’ll have a similar role this year but is unlikely to top those numbers. Erv is not big (5-11 181) but he has some speed and great moves. But he did not prove to be a big play threat last year. He’s more of a dump-off guy if the deep threat is covered. He’ll get you more first downs than touchdowns.
Adley Enoicy is similar to Custis, (6-5 228) but keeps getting hurt. So does Sean Avant, who has an unusual physique for a WR: 5-10 217. Sean Riley is a water-bug type (5-8 155) who mostly returns kicks. Ben Brickman is only slightly bigger (5-8 178) but caught only 3 passes in junior college last year. I don’t expect to see much of any of them this season.
I think Babers is more likely to go to his freshmen for depth here. He’s recruited very well here with an eye to what he wants the SU offense to look like going forward. Russell Thompson-Bishop (6-1 200) was rated a 3 star recruit and ESPN said he was the 105th best wide receiver in the country. As a senior, he caught 46 passes for 1025 yards (22.3) and 14 scores. He ran a 4.46 forty, which is very good, if not blazing speed for a WR. His film shows he has a great awareness of where the ball, (and in one case the edge of the end zone) and the hands and athleticism to fight off defenders and get the ball. I think that’s more important than speed. He’ll make any quarterback look good.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know WR Russell Thompson-Bishop
Cameron Jordan (6-3 195, per SU’s website. Syracuse.com says 6-4 187- either way, he’s tall) was also 3 star and the #135 WR per 247Sports.com. He ran a 4.51 forty. In his tape he looked a bit faster than RTB. With that size, he could be a big red zone weapon. He’d be perfect for those fades to the corner of the end zone.
Syracuse football recruiting: Get to know WR Cameron Jordan
Nykeim Johnson and Sherod Johnson are not related except they are now ‘brothers’ in Orange. Sharod is bigger at 5-11 170 vs. 5-8 163. Both were 3 star recruits. Sharod was rated the #78 receiver by ESPN. He’s from Miami and had 50 catches for 764 yards (15.3) and 7 touchdowns. Nykeem , from DC, caught 75 passes for 1,100 yards (14.7) and 19 touchdowns. He runs a 4.42 forty and was rated #114 by ESPN. Sharod looks like more of a “moves” guy. He ran a 4.63 forty. He may be similar to Erv Phillips. Nykeem is more Brisley Estime: moves + speed.
Nykeim: Nykeim Johnson on Hudl
Sharod: LOOSE SCREW !! (Sr.Year)
K.K. (Kerrick) Hahn (5-10 172) and Tyler Giftus (6-1 195) redshirted last year and were walk-ons. Hahn was coached by former Florida State Heisman winner, (and Syracuse Chief’s third baseman) Chris Weinke. Giftus was a QB in high school.
Bailey praised Ismael as having “some of the best hands in the country”, (two of them, presumably). He says Custis has “created some separation from Butler” but he lists Sharod Johnson as the #2 wide-out behind Ismael, which is a surprise. Erv Phillips in the slot (where Sharod started- he moved out to the wing when Enoicy got hurt), and Bailey calls him “Syracuse’s most dynamic offensive threat”. He has Riley as the backup and says that he “appears a step faster” but that Nykeim Johnson “isn’t far behind”.
I would rate our wide receiver corps above average- and they’re going to get better.
Tight Ends
Seniors: none Juniors: Ravian Pierce, Kyle Kleinberg and Joe Pasquale; Sophomores: none; Freshman: Jesse Connors, Chris Elmore, Aaron Hackett and Donny Sanders
I’m a big fan of fullbacks and of tight ends. Apparently Babers also likes tight ends. We haven’t had a good pass-catching tight end since Nick Provo and Becket Wales early in this decade. But Dino went out and got one in JUCO transfer Ravian Pierce, (6-3 237), He caught 77 passes for 733 yards (9.5) and 5 touchdowns in two years in junior college and was rated the second best JCU tight end by ESPN. Lindy’s says he has “sharp hands and fluid hips”. (Is that good?). His film shows me everything I’d like to see: size, speed, (he runs a tight end around), and blocking ability.
Ravian Pierce on Hudl
One of the things I noticed about Baber’s passing attack last year is that everything was either deep or to the sideline. We never seemed to throw to the middle of the field. When Ryan Nassib was pitching to Provo and Wales, as well as Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales, those guys carved teams up over the middle. I hope the recruitment of Pierce is a sign that Babers, as he opens up his offense, will be exploiting that part of the field more this year. Kleinberg is listed as a TE but he’s small for that spot (6-0 208) and is mostly a special teams player. Pasquale has the size for the positon (6-6 244) but is a walk-on.
Any depth will come from the freshmen.
Aaron Hackett (6-3 225) figures to be Pierce’s back-up. He was rated 2-3 stars and anywhere from the #31 Y-tight end, (I don’t know what a Y-tight end is), to #101 in the class. "They want me to be a receiving threat downfield, a guy they can get the ball to consistently, as well as be able to stay in and hold my own block." He was coached by former SU tight end Becket Wales. I wasn’t able to find a lot of film on him. This was the longest one:
Signing Day 2017 | Aaron Hackett
Chris Elmore is listed on the roster as a “FB/TE”. A 6-0 280 tight end? Maybe… Donny Sanders (6-6 235) has a highlight film but it’s as a quarterback. Jesse Connors (6-2 222) is a redshirt freshman but his redshirt year was at Holy Cross. He walked at Syracuse but has to sit out 2017 due to the transfer rule. It’s kind of too bad because he impressed in spring practice: Syracuse.com: “He surprised some of the returners with his physicality and catching ability.” We may see him in the mix next year.
So it’s basically Pierce and Hackett. Since neither has played yet, I’m going to list this unit as “average” but that assessment could go up quickly if Pierce is the real deal. Bailey thinks he is: “Pierce appears capable of providing exactly what the SU staff envisioned- a dynamic contributor in the passing game and a willing blocker.”
Offensive Linemen
Seniors: Jamar McGloster Juniors: Cody Conway and Kenton Darvey Sophomores: Colin Byrne, Samuel Clausman and Andreias Duerig; Freshmen: Austin Chandler, Mike Clark, Dakota Davis, Patrick Davis, Sam Heckel, Liam O’Sulllivan, Airon Servias
Doug Marrone was determined to build us a good offensive line and he did. For a few short years we had a good situation: we always had 3-4 veteran lineman who would from the core of the next line and bring the new guys up to their level. That ended when injuries wiped out the unit in 2014. It’s been patchwork since.
McGloster (6-7 309) is the one senior and thus the leader of the group. He can play but we don’t have 3-4 of him. Starting guard Aaron Roberts ripped up a knee in off-season workouts and won’t be able to play at all this year. Conway played a lot last year (6-6 296). Foster (6-3 314) is a former walk-on who played 6 games at center last year due to injuries. Darney (6-3 285) has played mostly on the punt team. (Late Update: Foster will not be returning to the team after a knee injury last spring didn’t heal.)
Byrne (6-5 299) was the guy Foster replaced at center after Colin replaced the injured Jason Emerich. We had three 500 yard offense games when he was in there, per the SU website. (He snapped the ball really well.) . Clausman (6-3 331) played mostly on the PAT team. Duerig (6-3 321) did the same and also played on the punt team.
Babers said he wanted offensive linemen with lower body strength and mobility. He wasn’t happy with what he had last year. Thus the development of the freshmen will be significant.
Coaches love tall offensive linemen. Backs can hide behind them before making their cut and defenders can’t jump over them to block passes. Mike Clark, a 6-8 292 redshirt freshman qualifies. He was a 3 star recruit out of Pennsylvania. Liam O’Sullivan is a booked at 6-8 270. He is a redshirt from Illinois with an 80 inch wingspan. He was a 3 star and the #116 best tackle prospect. Babers started recruiting where he knows the players: in the Midwest. His first three SU recruits were Aaron Serviais, Sam Heckel and O’Sullivan. Heckel, (6-4 292) a 3 star from Wisconsin, also red-shirted. He had been rated the #48 tackle by ESPN. He’s said to be the front-runner to replace Roberts. Serviais (6-6 305), is another Wisconsin red shirt. He’s in the mix at center this year, next to Heckel. He was wearing a “boot” and saw limited action early in fall practice but Coach Babers said of him and the DE’s Jake Pickard and Josh Black, (see below): "All those guys are OK. They're not injuries. Some of those guys are just precautionary stuff. If a guy's got a swollen ankle, you put a boot on it. It's not like it's broken or anything. So those guys should be good."
Dakota Davis (6-5 315) is a 3 star true freshman from Maryland who was rated the #58 guard prospect and #96 tackle prospect in the country, per ESPN. Syracuse.com says he: “enjoys breaking opponents' wills and making them want to quit.” That’s a good attitude. He “paved the way for consecutive 2,000 yard rushers in high school” per Nunes. The unrelated Patrick Davis is a 6-5 320 Canadian who was rated the #3 overall prospect in Canada. He was rated 3 stars and the #86 guard available by ESPN. He was an early enrollee and joined the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Austin Chandler (6-4 290) is a 2 star “preferred” walk-on who came here all the way from California. Scout rated him the #109 guard in the country, which is a pretty good rating for a walk-on. DIY College rankings: “The preferred walk-on has actually been recruited by the coach who generally has offered the player a spot on the roster. The player isn’t offered any scholarship money as a freshman but there is the possibility in the future. A plain walk-on player is someone who has decided to try out for the team without the coach’s support. It’s possible that the coach actually knows the athlete but never actually pursued him.” So Chandler is a guy who has the potential to be a decent player but Babers didn’t want to waste a scholarship on him- yet.
Bailey has his own depth chart for the O-line. Comparing it to the preseason depth chart issued by Babers, Heckel replaces Roberts. Duerig moves into his former spot backing up Servais at center, replacing Foster. The rest of it remains the same. Conway, Heckel, Servais, Adams and McGloster are the starters. O’Sullivan, Pat Davis, Byrne and Clark are the other back-ups. That’s 1senior, 1 junior, 3 sophs and 5 freshmen, one a true freshman, so these guys will have a chance to grow as a group that will be here a while. Bailey notes that Babers likes to cross-train linemen so the best guys can play multiple positons, which increases depth. Bailey did say Servias has been bothered by his “nagging ankle injury”. Ankles are pretty important, especially when you are a big guy trying to push other big guys out of the way.
Babers has obviously focused on recruiting the type of offensive linemen he likes and those players will someday be part of an above average line. I remember how an influx of young, big talented offensive linemen turned us form a 5-6 team into an 11-0 team in 1987. I don’t expect that but I do believe there will be a significant upgrade here over the next couple of years and that that will lead to our next breakthrough season. But it’s not going to be overnight this time. For now I have to rate them as average, although they are going to have hard time looking even that good against the defensive front sevens they will be facing. It will be a battle of 3 stars vs. 4 and 5 stars.
