#61 Syracuse - Season Preview

2019 RECAP

Syracuse was a surprising story in 2018 when they finished with a strong 10 wins. However, the loss of quarterback Eric Dungey proved to be a huge loss. The offense really sputtered in 2019 and the team struggled overall. Racking up just 5 wins, only two of which came against Power5 opponents. A very disappointing year for a Syracuse team that many people tagged as an up and coming program.

Syracuse was average defensively. They struggled to stop the run, including three games where they gave up over 300 on the ground against Maryland (354 yards), Boston College (496 yards), and Louisville (370 yards). Syracuse did enjoy a bit more success defending the pass, however. A solid secondary group led by Andre Cisco at safety.

Syracuse will look to bounce back from an overall disappointing 2019 offensive campaign. The up-tempo offense struggled to put things together consistently. Syracuse will possibly be even faster this year with the addition of Sterlin Gilbert as offensive coordinator. Gilbert has led up-tempo offenses in the past like the 2016 Texas team which ran over 80 plays a game with Shane Beuchele at the helm. Followed by a stint at South Florida where they averaged 83 plays per game with Quinton Flowers in 2017. Only one team (Wake Forest) averaged over 80 plays a game last year, Syracuse averaged 76. In his first head coaching gig last year at Mcneese State, Gilbert's offense averaged 77.

Finishing ranked 33rd in both rushing and passing yards among Power5 teams, however, 54th and 45th respectively in yards per play. The offensive line was a weak point. Protecting Tom Devito was an absolute nightmare for Cuse who finished with a 12% Sack Rate according to Football Outsiders which ranked 126th in the nation. That will need to improve before Syracuse makes any noise offensively in 2020. The unit returns 3 starters from a year ago and their improvement will be an integral part of Syracuse offensive success this year.

A big part of the offense that will need to be replaced is the production lost after WR Trishton Jackson left early for the NFL. Jackson caught 66 balls for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019, which basically doubles any returning receiver in every category. Taj Harris will be the obvious choice to lead the unit in their efforts to replace the production. 2 years ago before Trishton Jackson suddenly took over the unit, Nykeim Johnson, a short speedy slot guy caught 41 balls en route to over 500 yards. He played in all 12 games last year but was no longer a focal point with Jackson out there. In 2019 Johnson only caught 19 balls for 99 yards. He should see a return back to his 2018 numbers with Jackson and Sean Riley no longer there. Who steps up behind Harris and Johnson is to be determined. With just 5 total catches returning from other wideouts, it is certainly an open competition. Cameron Jordan saw the most action among the competition, with Sharod Johnson and Courtney Jackson being the only other 2 returning receivers to find their way into the stat book. A lot of Syracuse fans are holding out hope for Ed Hendrix, the highest-rated recruit in the group. The former 4-star wideout has unfortunately had a few leg injuries that have held him from playing at all in his first 2 years at Syracuse. He could be a dark horse candidate to step up and fill the void Jackson has left behind. Senior Tight End Adam Hackett will play a large role in the offense as well.

Syracuse will also lose close to 1000 rushing yards with the departure of Moe Neal. However, Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard will return with plenty of production and game experience to replace the loss. Explosive, redshirt freshman Jawhar Jordan, will also bring that big-play ability to the table with his sub 4.4 speed.

The cancellation of spring practice was not ideal for the Syracuse defense. In steps new defensive coordinator Tony White along with a new 3-3-5 system. White comes from Arizona State where he was the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator. Before ASU, he was a DBs coach at San Diego State under Rocky Long.

In addition to implementing the new scheme, Syracuse will also have to replace over half of its starters from a year ago. The secondary minded White, however, will have plenty to work with since the returning secondary has plenty of game experience. A solid secondary group overall is led by Junior safety Andre Cisco. The 2nd team All-ACC selection from a year ago led the ACC in interceptions despite only playing 9 games. Joining him in the secondary will be Trill Williams and Ifeatu Melifonwu at cornerback. Trill played primarily at Nickel in 2019, many are assuming he will fill in for Christopher Frederick at corner across from Melifonwu. At 6'2" and 6'3" respectively, Syracuse will have great size at the position with plenty of production. Without spring ball it is tough to say how Syracuse will round out the rest of the secondary, but many are assuming Eric Coley will play more of a hybrid role this year which adds another 6'2" athlete around the LOS. Leaving the last safety spot open for someone like Aman Greenwood, Devon Clarke, or Cam Jonas.

With the secondary in good shape, the focus will be on improving a dreadful rush defense from a year ago. Both starting linebackers have moved on, along with half of the DL. Moving to 3 linemen in 2020, the unit will likely be anchored by returning starter Josh Black in the middle. Kingsley Jonathan and McKinley Williams, who missed the first 9 games last year, will likely bookend Black. The veteran trio has a combined 109 games played over.

The linebacker unit may be concerning. Losing both starters from a year ago the unit currently ranks 65th, or dead last, in the Finnelytics Power5 Unit Rankings. Sophomore Mikel Jones is a talented backer who was forced into a starting role late last year as a true freshman. He was named as a member of the PFF Freshman AA 3rd team. Rounding out the unit will be Tyrell Richards and a combination of Steve Linton and Lee Kpogba.