There’s certainly plenty to get excited about for Syracuse football heading into 2019. Several key pieces return, including head coach Dino Babers on a new contract.
Uncontrollably, however, there will be some departures as well, most obviously that of quarterback Eric Dungey, who graduates after setting 20 individual school records.
This yields some question surrounding who will be the Orange’s starting signal caller next year.
Among the masses, the most common choice to take over for Dungey is Tommy DeVito, and I can‚Äôt argue that’s not also the most likely outcome. But Dino has yet to commit to a starter next year, and why should he? He‚Äôs got a whole offseason, an entire camp, and a full quarterback room heading into 2019. Furthermore, there also just might be a redshirt freshman who‚Äôs got a chance to challenge TD.
Chance Amie may not win the starting quarterback job, but even if he doesn’t, Syracuse fans could still grow fond of the Flint, Texas native.
One thing Amie has over DeVito is his ability to run. A three-star dual-threat quarterback out of Robert E. Lee High School, Amie’s skillset would likely mean less change to an offense losing its senior dual-threat signal caller.
At 6-foot-3 and about 200lbs, Amie has the mobility to thrive in the same system Syracuse ran en route to capturing 10 wins and a Camping World Bowl victory in 2018.
After all, Dungey himself has admired the similarities Amie’s game has to his own. So much so, that he’s even said he expects Amie to stand out among all of his potential successors. In fact, here are his exact words in a summer interview with Syracuse.com:
“I think the kid from Texas is going to be the best out of group.‚Äù
“He’s got that mindset, too. He’s not scared. He’s got a cannon, fast. He’s just got to learn the offense. I think he’s really going to take off.”
Now that’s some high praise.
If Amie doesn’t win the job, there still has to be a solid chance he gets some run. As a backup last season, Tommy DeVito saw the field on multiple occasions. If DeVito is the starter next year, that still should mean at least a few snaps for Amie. Garbage time or not, I’d be surprised if Dino didn’t try to mix in Amie’s speed at the position regardless. Also, who’s to say DeVito just takes the job and runs with it, should he get the nod to start the year.
All in all, Syracuse may have a special talent in Amie, and fans should be on the lookout in 2019. The Texas high school football scene is a busy one, and plenty of diamonds get lost in the rough in the recruiting circuit. Not saying Amie will wind up winning a Heisman and going in the first round of the NFL draft, but Johnny Manziel was also a three-star dual-threat quarterback coming out of Texas. So, hey, there can be hope.
At the end of the day, Syracuse is yet to sign a quarterback for the Class of 2019. However, between Amie and DeVito, Dino has reason to be at ease with SU’s long-term quarterback situation.
Click¬†here to check out Amie’s highlights from his senior season.
