Our D next year is extremely young

[SU in Hershey]

I don't know about that. For example, the experience Fontus gained by playing 36 games in the Big Ten in his career surely will help him be prepared to help the Syracuse defense this year, regardless of experience in the current defensive system.

Well, I did say “some.”

And, of course you’re right! I love what Fontus brings to our defense! But scheme, assignment, etc. matter as well, and that is in part, an equalizer, right?

 

[CbusCuse]

I don't know about that. For example, the experience Fontus gained by playing 36 games in the Big Ten in his career surely will help him be prepared to help the Syracuse defense this year, regardless of experience in the current defensive system.

Fontus was a valuable get as he is a proven capable starter type and should get on the field a lot. Unfortunately according to his PFF grade and stats, he doesn't seem likely to be too much of a difference maker. Then again 2025 was his first year playing a lot. A very solid add none the less.

 

[Niastri]

You missed these guys as well:

Ward - CB - Should be very valuable back-up - transfer from WKU.
Adeleye - DE/DL - large DE who should be solid - Transfer from UNLV
Snowden - S - has the measurables but not the experience yet as he was hurt last year - Transferred from Wisconsin to Toledo in 2025.

Thanks, I was struggling with the search feature in the recruiting forum... I worked from memory. I knew I was missing a couple.

 

[Niastri]

You missed these guys as well:

Ward - CB - Should be very valuable back-up - transfer from WKU.
Adeleye - DE/DL - large DE who should be solid - Transfer from UNLV
Snowden - S - has the measurables but not the experience yet as he was hurt last year - Transferred from Wisconsin to Toledo in 2025.

I guess part of why I miss those guys is because I've think of them as reserves… The guys I remembered I think of as potential starters are likely to be in the two deep right away...

Nobody has addressed the question from the original poster: how will the youth on the returning roster affect performance? Also, my follow up question how does our transfer class affect the relative youth of the team, and it's affect on performance?

 

[baggerbob]

I guess part of why I miss those guys is because I've think of them as reserves… The guys I remembered I think of as potential starters are likely to be in the two deep right away...

Nobody has addressed the question from the original poster: how will the youth on the returning roster affect performance? Also, my follow up question how does our transfer class affect the relative youth of the team, and it's affect on performance?

In any discussion of new players for the Defense you have to start with getting Perry back. With the new DC he should finally have a chance to be a really good player.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

You missed these guys as well:

Ward - CB - Should be very valuable back-up - transfer from WKU.
Adeleye - DE/DL - large DE who should be solid - Transfer from UNLV
Snowden - S - has the measurables but not the experience yet as he was hurt last year - Transferred from Wisconsin to Toledo in 2025.

With the success Kehres has had with secondary players, I am guessing Snowden will be a good pickup. While he was injured he had an entire season to learn the defensive system. Ideal size at Safety too.

 

[CbusCuse]

I guess part of why I miss those guys is because I've think of them as reserves… The guys I remembered I think of as potential starters are likely to be in the two deep right away...

Nobody has addressed the question from the original poster: how will the youth on the returning roster affect performance? Also, my follow up question how does our transfer class affect the relative youth of the team, and it's affect on performance?

I think all of those guys will be in the two deep.

Adeleye I think could be considered a starter type. He has a year of starting experience and was productive. He will likely get just as much PT as any other DE that is not undersized. We don't have many. I think Adeleye and Nyandoro share a lot of time at one DE spot along with maybe some minutes outside for Hastings, Pray or Gillians when we want to go really big at DE. The other smaller DE's and rush LB types; Keyshawn Johnson, David O and Tremble, probably share minutes at the other DE spot.

Ward could very well be CB3. I think him and Kerr probably fight it out for the starting nickel with Chase Geter being the other CB that sees time as well. We are very thin there but have two young returning starters.

Our depth at Safety is pretty thin and I think Snowden could be on the 2 deep despite not having any experience yet. Maybe a 2nd at the STAR position with those measurables.

The youth on the roster will effect in negatively unfortunately, it just has to. Pretty sure all data would point to less success on the field with a young roster. Despite nearly everyone pointing to the 2026 season being "The Season" before last year, mostly because of what was considered a very tough schedule and a new QB, we have to temper expectations in 2026 somewhat considering the youth. We just have to hope the youth leads to a better future outcome. But we can certainly still be much better than the 2025 disaster.

This transfer class helps the youth and performance positively as it almost always does. On average It adds more experience, seniority and leadership as most have played more than the others on the roster.

 

[orangeinohio]

Didn't we already have this conversation last summer?