All eyes on Cuse
The Syracuse Orange are back in camp to prepare for the 2025 season. That means we need to get ourselves ready as well, and what better way then a little Friday roundtable… let’s get to it:
Which incoming transfer will you be watching in practice?
Kevin: I’m going to say Austin Collins. To me the biggest question after quarterback, is about the offensive line – especially center. I’m curious to see if Collins gets the first shot at being the player helping a first-time starting quarterback get into the right reads and setting the protection.
Dom: Moving to the defense, Gary Bryant III is an important name to keep an eye on. Syracuse has obviously lost both its starting linebackers (Marlowe Wax and Justin Barron), and Bryant is coming off his best season with the South Dakota Coyotes. How much can the former FCS linebacker produce to help replace the experience and talent lost at the position?
Calvin: I’m excited to see how Johntay Cook does with the Orange. He’s had some issues in the past; however, he has the talent to take hold of this WR room that has lost a lot of key contributors. With a new QB coming in, no matter what, the WR room is going to be a key part of whoever is under center’s success this upcoming season. Cook is poised to be a really big part of that, and I’m interested to see how he handles it.
Mike: I had to hop back on the site for some camp talk… and unlike last fall, the QB spot looks wide open now. Fran said after day one that Rickie Collins and post-spring addition Steve Angeli are starting off neck and neck, and I’m excited to see who wins out between the LSU and Notre Dame transfers.
Which incoming freshman will you be watching in practice?
Kevin: Demetres Samuel drew a lot of attention in the spring for seeing time on offense and defense. While I don’t think this year’s team will need him at wide receiver, the Orange do need to find corners who can hold up in man coverage. Will the 17 year old be up to the task?
Dom: Byron Washington, mainly because the offensive line will have so many new pieces, and there’s genuinely a case he could become a familiar face to fans at the line of scrimmage. The six-foot-seven, 380-pound lineman brings plenty of size and promise to the table.
Calvin: Outside of the major QB battle between Angeli and Collins, I’m interested to see how Luke Carney does this camp. Carney was an extremely talented HS QB, winning four Texas state championships, and putting up some ridiculous stats as a four-year starter along the way. I’m very interested in seeing how he does and if he could be our QB of the future.
Mike: I’ll mirror Kevin’s point about needing corner depth and take the other big recruit there, Rivals four-star Kaylib Singleton. He was on campus early and those extra practices should have given him a head start towards cracking the two-deep. His track background can’t hurt either.
Which returning player do you think will have the biggest improvement this season?
Kevin: David Omopariola started the Holiday Bowl and this year he could take a big step forward as a disruptor on the edge. An outstanding high school athlete, Omopariola could emerge as a player who can get to the quarterback or use his height and wingspan to defend against short passes.
Dom: Yasin Willis, and the case is pretty straightforward. LeQuint Allen is now gone, and he was not only productive, but durable in 2024. Even if coach Fran Brown adopts the “running back by committee” approach, Willis is still clearly on the inside track for the most reps. Something else to consider: if Syracuse’s passing game is less reliant than last year and has to use the run more, that further opens the door for Willis to be unleashed.
Calvin: As I mentioned before, I will be keeping an eye on this WR room, and I think Darrell Gill Jr. is poised to make a huge jump. The WR had a more limited role last season, only starting three games, but still managed to make over 500 yards. He also had a huge game in the Holiday Bowl, showing his ability to step up in big games. I could see him making a huge jump with a much bigger role next season.
Mike: I agree with Calvin, so let’s go to my second choice on the other side. The Orange D-Line is leaning a lot on transfers, but an exception is Junior Rashard Perry. He started the last three games plus the Bowl and could be in line for more consistent time on the inside this year – but he won’t just be handed a starting job with a rather thin linebacker group behind him.
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What players are you keeping a close eye on this month?