Class of 2024 - TE Michael Smith (GA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (1/4/26) | Page 5 | Syracusefan.com

Class of 2024 TE Michael Smith (GA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (1/4/26)

CbusCuse said:
Lets Go Goal GIF by UEFA


I really like this pickup. TE wasn’t the first position thought of as a need but it really was a pretty big need. SC doesn’t pass to the TE much. I mean this dude started a bunch of games for an SEC team…as a freshman. That is not an easy thing to do. Slowed to start the year as a Soph due to a shoulder injury in the spring and then decided to shut it down due to how he was being used after that. Appears to have great upside. I think he may give us what Villari gave us this year and Smith has 3 more years. Angeli has to be very happy with this pickup. He is going to like this guy. And I have a good feeling that he will block better than Villari and really help the run game to boot. Love picking up a talented every down type of TE.
Expand...
Let's hope he's a lot more useful than Villari.
 
This guy played a lot of wide receiver in high school. Even watching his brief South Carolina highlights, he doesn't look 250 lbs, he looks like a big wide receiver. He has very good speed for a tight end.

I hadn't seen this one posted:

 
Actually, it was this one that I hadn't seen. The last one was worth it for the six minutes of high school highlights with an "analyst" with a southern accent getting excited over every play. Even when he's complaining about the camera angle. Lol

 
bnoro said:
Let's hope he's a lot more useful than Villari.
Expand...
Ehh…I was not sold on Vilari after the 2024 season either, but I think he played hurt a lot of that season. Villari in 2025 averaged 60 yds a game through the first 4 games with Angeli. That rate would be 660 yds over 11 games. I would be happy enough with those types of numbers, especially if he could add improved blocking.
 
Last edited:
CbusCuse said:
Ehh…I was not sold on Vilari after the 2024 season either, but I think he played hurt a lot of that season. Villari in 2025 averaged 60 yds a game through the first 4 games with Angeli. That rate would be 660 yds over 11 games. I would be happy enough with those types of numbers, especially if he could add improved blocking.
Expand...
Right, but the 2025 numbers you've assigned to him are a hypothetical.
 
CbusCuse said:
True. I'm just saying that for this year, you can really only evaluate Villari over the first 4 games and he was fairly good. Counting all others would be just unfair. I thought he looked solid when we had a QB this season.
Expand...

And not sure why i stated it over 11 games. that average would be 720 yds over a 12 game regular season.
 
CbusCuse said:
Ehh…I was not sold on Vilari after the 2024 season either, but I think he played hurt a lot of that season. Villari in 2025 averaged 60 yds a game through the first 4 games with Angeli. That rate would be 660 yds over 11 games. I would be happy enough with those types of numbers, especially if he could add improved blocking.
Expand...
I agree . Villari put in a ton of work and looked like a legit TE . I thought he was setting up for a monster season.
 
anomander said:
I agree . Villari put in a ton of work and looked like a legit TE . I thought he was setting up for a monster season.
Expand...
He was, I personally think we will get a few more into the NFL, not drafted than some people would expect after that season.
 
anomander said:
I agree . Villari put in a ton of work and looked like a legit TE . I thought he was setting up for a monster season.
Expand...
I was high on his athleticism from day 1 and had he not had to deal with a slew of injuries last year, I think he would have broken out as TE 2. Great attitude and hard worker, and he has a real shot at the NFL.
 
tep624 said:
I was high on his athleticism from day 1 and had he not had to deal with a slew of injuries last year, I think he would have broken out as TE 2. Great attitude and hard worker, and he has a real shot at the NFL.
Expand...
I agree. I can see him hanging on PS at very worse .
 
PAcuse said:
Yep FB (still a few left) and Blocking TEs are being replaced by the extra Olineman
Expand...
Kind of but not entirely. The Bills were the biggest user of an extra OL in recent years, but this year they drafted a great blocking TE and used him a ton, also increasing their FB’s snaps, essentially eliminating their usage of a 6th OL. Big part of why James Cook won the rushing title.

A 6th OL is easier to find in terms of actual usability but being able to go jumbo with TE/FB is much better in that it makes your offense less predictable, with the TE being an actual threat to catch passes.
 
Jdono927 said:
Kind of but not entirely. The Bills were the biggest user of an extra OL in recent years, but this year they drafted a great blocking TE and used him a ton, also increasing their FB’s snaps, essentially eliminating their usage of a 6th OL. Big part of why James Cook won the rushing title.

A 6th OL is easier to find in terms of actual usability but being able to go jumbo with TE/FB is much better in that it makes your offense less predictable, with the TE being an actual threat to catch passes.
Expand...
I agree they are still out there, Ravens have on of the best FBs and we still use him.
I think overall we are seeing less nand less of those types of players. When you can find a great FB or Blocking TE you still get them.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
175,854
Messages
5,271,642
Members
6,191
Latest member
OldBartman

Online statistics

Members online
267
Guests online
2,312
Total visitors
2,579
Totals may include hidden visitors.


P
Top Bottom