It’s unclear just how much fans will be able to take away from today’s Spring Football game because, well, it’s not going to be a game. Scott Shafer said this week that the “Spring Game” will be more like a practice…
Anyways, it’s still the first time the team will perform in front of the public since last year’s dreadful 28-7 season finale loss to Boston College. The biggest question going into the game is what will SU’s secondary look like?
This is not going to be a very deep group for the Orange this season. Cornerback Brandon Reddish and safeties Ritchy Desir and Darius Kelly have graduated. Safety Durell Eskridge declared for the NFL draft. Senior Julian Whigham will start at one corner spot like he did last year and Wayne Morgan, another senior, should take the other; it’s his to lose. Behind them are junior Corey Winfield, and the trio of Florida sophomores, Antwan Cordy, Cordell Hudson and Juwan Dowels.
At safety, sophomore Rodney Williams is the player to watch. Syracuse’s coaching staff was high on Williams as a true freshman last season, but an injury sidelined him for most of the year. Chauncey Scissum will take the other safety spot today. Cordy, Hudson, and Dowells could all take reps here as well. Obviously they won’t play today, but freshmen Marquise Blair and Christopher Frederick could work their way into the safety rotation when they arrive on the Hill this fall.
Another interesting position for Syracuse is tight end. When Trey Dunkelberger transferred into the program he said that offensive coordinator Tim Lester wanted to get tight ends more involved in the offense. With Kendall Moore transitioning to the offensive line look for Dunkelberger as well as fellow tight ends Tyler Provo and Josh Parris to be involved in SU’s offense today.
Hopefully the practice like environment will still allow fans to see the progress the Orange has made since last season.
