Redshirt freshman, and former three-star recruit, Tre Allison has decided to transfer from Syracuse due to “personal reasons”. At 6-foot-2 and 233-pounds, Allison was expected to compete for playing time. CuseNation was first to report the linebackers intent to transfer. 
SU has now lost four other non-graduate linebackers this offseason, as it is tasked with replacing Ryan Guthrie and Kielan Whitner. Shyheim Cullen will not return for his redshirt senior season after being deemed ineligible by the NCAA following an academic suspension.
Incoming freshman Mikel Jones and Lee Kpogba could challenge for playing time behind seniors Andrew Armstrong and Lakiem Williams, who have worked with the first team so far, and sophomore Juan Wallace and redshirt sophomore Tyrell Richards who have worked with the second team. 
Syracuse could attempt to add a grad-transfer linebacker, since it has only filled 83 of 85 scholarship spots. Some of the top linebackers in the transfer portal are inside linebackers Tyler Dunning of Mississippi State and Antwuan Johnson of Bowling Green, according to 247 Sports. Top outside linebackers include Richard McBryde of Auburn and Cameron Townsend, who’s transferring from Texas. 
Allison becomes the fifth Orange player to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. Other include quarterback Chance Amie, wide receiver Devin Butler, and linebackers Nadarius Fagan and Tim Walton. 
Currently, SU only has one linebacker commit in Stefon Thompson, but expect that number to increase as the season goes on. After a large recruiting cycle at linebacker last class, some thought Babers and his staff could focus elsewhere during this cycle. However, with five transfers, SU has increased room in its 2020 class.
