Then and Now - football - Part 6 | Syracusefan.com

Then and Now - football - Part 6

SWC75

Bored Historian
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
32,269
Like
62,389
(Again, what is in italics is what I wrote in August. Was isn't I'm saying now.)

Linebackers
Seniors: None
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Geoff Cantin-Arku 6-4 230, (was 228); Mikel Jones 6-1 220 (was 6-0 211)
Freshmen: Ryan Dolan 6-0 225, Leon Lowery 6-4 225, Malik Matthew 6-3 210, John O’Connor 6-1 210, Austin Roon 6-3 215, Anwar Sparrow 6-1 225 (was 204), Stefon Thompson 6-1 (was 6-0) 235 Marlowe Wax 6-0 235 (was 230)

Dino Babers and his staff have filled up the roster with defensive backs and last year their recruiting in the linebacker unit showed signs of catching up to the D-backs. Ever since we lost the unit of Zaire Franklin, Parris Bennett and Jonathan Thomas after the 2017 season, we’ve struggled to fill this unit and the starting line-up has completely changed each year. But last year we played a lot of young talents that we can watch grow into a great unit. … There are still 10 of them for 3 positions and some of those listed as linemen or backs can play here as well. Steele: “For the first time in four years, this unit is experienced and should show significant improvement.” Lindy’s: “The second level as a hole projects to be more dynamic with Marlowe Wax, Stefon Thompson and Geoff Cantin-Arku all having at least three years of eligibility left.”

But the player with the most star-quality is Jones, whose ball-hawking ability was compared that of All-America safety Andre Cisco and big play cornerback Trill Williams. Unfortunately we don’t those guys any more but we do have Jones. Cuse.com: “Honorable Mention All-ACC … Started all-11 games at linebacker … Fifth nationally with four interceptions, the most in the ACC and most nationally by a linebacker … Was involved in eight different Syracuse takeaways (INT, FFs – recovered by Syracuse, FR). That’s the most takeaways by any individual player in the FBS in 2020 … Was part of eight of Syracuse’s FBS-leading 24 takeaways this season … Team lead with 69 tackles, which ranks 14th in the ACC in total tackles … 69 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions on the season.” That’s quite a resume. How in heck did we lead the country in takeovers, (that’s what I call them) and go 1-10? That shows what a weird year last season was. Nunes: “The leader of the linebacker corps, Jones is on the preseason Butkus Award list and receiving All-ACC consideration … His ability to play in space is important when facing spread offenses and he can help a younger defensive backfield as they take on starting roles…. Add to that the fact that he was the team’s best pass-rusher (rated 80.9 out of 100 says Pro Football Focus), and it’s exciting to think about what he may be able to progress into in year three here.” Steele #45, 247 #24

Thompson is a three-star from North Carolina. WAER: “How impactful is Thompson? Here’s your answer: impactful enough to be the first true freshman linebacker to start a season opener since Dyshawn Davis, back in 2011. The North Carolinian hit the ground running early last year. In Syracuse’s first game against North Carolina, Thompson tallied a career-high seven tackles. His first career sack came a week later against 25th-ranked Pittsburgh. Thompson finished 2020 with 35 tackles, seven and a half tackles for loss, and three sacks.” He also had “one forced fumble, which earned him recognition as a freshman All-American.” (SI) Nunes: “Among returning ACC linebackers and edge defenders, he’s ranked 14th overall (by last year’s PFF ratings) and is a top-five returning run defender in the conference. For him, the key is how he progresses playing in coverage, but he has sneaky upside as (quietly) one of the better linebackers in the league already.” Steele: #150, 247: #51

Wax is a three-star from Maryland. He reminds me a bit of Josh Hough, (or, since Marlowe is a class ahead, maybe I should say that Josh reminds me of Marlowe). He was both a steam-rolling fullback, (err…big running back) in high school and a dominating linebacker. Babers and his coaches saw Marlowe as a defender on this level and Josh as a runner but I think either could play on either side. If this was the 1950’s, when players played two ways, they’d both be All-Americans. Nunes: “When Wax first committed, we thought we were getting a power running back at 6-feet tall and 232 pounds, but instead is the heaviest linebacker on the squad (not a knock at all), and one of its best tacklers. He’s shown himself adept at getting into opposing backfields, and with another year at the college level, we should see even more of it. The fact he put up big numbers without starting much is notable, and a great sign for SU’s newfound depth here.” SI: “Although Wax is a very physical player, his hands and block shedding ability display a “wax on and wax off” science. With such an immediate impact, the Orange is hoping Wax will take a step forward in his development this season.” Steele: #110, 247: #77

Cantin-Arku, Jones and Thompson should continue to progress as a starting unit and Wax will surely see plenty of action as well. I have a feeling that we’ll hear from Mr. Sparrow, as well. (He might have to change his name to ‘Hawk’.) Guys like Slater, Kinsler, Linton and McDonald could also be available here, as could a big defensive back like Barron.


Jones, Wax and Thompson made an excellent starting group and were key to the success of the defense. Unfortunately, Cantin-Arku and Kinsler are in the transfer portal and Jones is considering a jump to the pros.

Other guys who were at least 3 stars:

Lowery is a three star from New Jersey who got into two games last year. Nunes: “Lowery’s the last of the returning scholarship linebackers to see the field last year, and he actually made his limited time count while logging five tackles (0.5 for loss) in three games. Another surer tackler with pass-rushing talent, he seems likely to increase his role here in year two — again, something that gets a lot more straightforward for him if Kpogba doesn’t return.” He didn’t. Steele nothing, 247 #73

Lowery played against Albany and NC State and had 2 tackles.

Matthew is not “Matthews” although that how Steele spells it. He’s a 3 star from the Bronx. Nunes: “The 6-foot-3 Bronx product was New York’s top linebacker in the class of 2021, and now he’s likely to get a year to take in the scheme and adjust to college life. We could see him here and there on special teams without burning the redshirt, but would expect him to get a redshirt…At first glance, Malik has the look of a Babers linebacker: athletic, a tad undersized weight wise, but makes up for it with length and explosiveness. While playing middle linebacker, Matthews showed an ability to explode into the backfield, even after waiting on reads on option or misdirection plays. That kind of lateral quickness will be crucial in the 3-3-5, especially if he plays in one of the outside roles. (He played inside linebacker while in high school.) Linebacker is a crowded position for Syracuse right now, which plays in Matthews’ favor: another 10-15 pounds would make him an ideal size to best utilize his explosiveness and tendency to go for the big play.” Steele #198, 247 #123.

Matthew didn’t appear in a game this year.

Roon is a three-star from Michigan. Nunes: “Roon’s a talented athlete who can play on the outside and seems to take great angles to make stops — both in the open field and behind the line. He could probably add a few pounds in a college weight room (he’s listed at 215 pounds right now)…. The linebacker group is pretty thin at the moment, and while Roon is a bit undersized at the moment, we’ve seen those types of players get chances to appear in games under Babers if their mental grasp on the game is there. I wouldn’t expect to see Roon outside of the FCS game/special teams roles reserved for true freshman, but a few injuries create another “break glass in case of emergency” roster crunch.” Steele: #206, 247: #151.

He didn’t appear in a game this year.

Sparrow is a 3 star from Virginia who didn’t play in any of last year’s games. Cuse.com: “As a senior, logged 103 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.” Nunes: “Back in high school, Sparrow was a major playmaker on defense… While the team’s theoretically moved away from “smaller” linebackers, just one of the top four players at the position is taller than 6-foot-1. So a 6-foot Sparrow isn’t going to be stopped from seeing the field — especially if he can look anything like the guy that logged 19 TFLs as a high school senior.” Steele: nothing, 247: #76.

Sparrow played against Albany, Florida State and Wake Forest. He had 2 tackles.

Thompson is a three-star from North Carolina. WAER: “How impactful is Thompson? Here’s your answer: impactful enough to be the first true freshman linebacker to start a season opener since Dyshawn Davis, back in 2011. The North Carolinian hit the ground running early last year. In Syracuse’s first game against North Carolina, Thompson tallied a career-high seven tackles. His first career sack came a week later against 25th-ranked Pittsburgh. Thompson finished 2020 with 35 tackles, seven and a half tackles for loss, and three sacks.” He also had “one forced fumble, which earned him recognition as a freshman All-American.” (SI) Nunes: “Among returning ACC linebackers and edge defenders, he’s ranked 14th overall (by last year’s PFF ratings) and is a top-five returning run defender in the conference. For him, the key is how he progresses playing in coverage, but he has sneaky upside as (quietly) one of the better linebackers in the league already.” Steele: #150, 247: #51

Wax is a three-star from Maryland. He reminds me a bit of Josh Hough, (or, since Marlowe is a class ahead, maybe I should say that Josh reminds me of Marlowe). He was both a steam-rolling fullback, (err…big running back) in high school and a dominating linebacker. Babers and his coaches saw Marlowe as a defender on this level and Josh as a runner but I think either could play on either side. If this was the 1950’s, when players played two ways, they’d both be All-Americans. Nunes: “When Wax first committed, we thought we were getting a power running back at 6-feet tall and 232 pounds, but instead is the heaviest linebacker on the squad (not a knock at all), and one of its best tacklers. He’s shown himself adept at getting into opposing backfields, and with another year at the college level, we should see even more of it. The fact he put up big numbers without starting much is notable, and a great sign for SU’s newfound depth here.” SI: “Although Wax is a very physical player, his hands and block shedding ability display a “wax on and wax off” science. With such an immediate impact, the Orange is hoping Wax will take a step forward in his development this season.” Steele: #110, 247: #77


Know any good linebackers? We’re going to need them because this vital unit is getting thinner and thinner.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
167,134
Messages
4,682,059
Members
5,900
Latest member
DizzyNY

Online statistics

Members online
319
Guests online
2,305
Total visitors
2,624


Top Bottom