Syracuse Football has been rather quiet this offseason in terms of well, everything. Several other programs have had a spring roster out since the beginning of April. However, when you go 1-10 as a power five school you probably should just sit in the corner and do your thing.
Anyways, if you’re a weirdo like me, you’ve been anticipating a new roster for a few months. During the spring months of football this is one of the few things you can enjoy about the sport until the fall. So let’s take a look at the new roster and see if we can find some number changes, height changes, weight changes, maybe even position changes. 
Well right off the bat, none of the returning players had their weights or heights updated. The staff just recycled last season’s measurables so we’ll have to wait to gain any further insight on the #gainszn. What we can see however, is if any incoming player has been getting busy in the gym.
Incoming Freshman Size Jumps
For this exercise, we’ll compare a prospects height and weight to that listed on each players 247sports.com account.
CB: #20 РDarian “Duce” Chestnut Р5-11, 180 > 6-0, 196
QB: #10 – Justin Lamson – 6-3, 210 > 6-3, 216
DB: #22 – Malcolm Folk – 6-1, 191 > 6-1, 199
DT: #90 – Terry Lockett – 6-1, 255 > 6-2, 261
TE: #81 – Landon Morris – 6-5, 210 > 6-6, 228
There’s some great improvement here! It’s unclear if these weights reflect any post-spring development or if the players came to ‘Cuse in March at these heights and weights. However, these measurables could change previous outlooks on how soon these early enrollees could touch the field.
Duce Chestnut needed to add some size to be able to compete physically on the outside and he’s done that and apparently got an inch taller as well. Justin Lamson didn’t really need to add anything to his frame, it’s solid for a signal caller as is. A few extra pounds can’t hurt though, especially as the dual-threat player he is. 
Malcolm Folk is a guy we’ve talked to in the past and he has some good size to eventually play safety. At 199 pounds he has good size to be durable in the back end, but the secondary room is stacked so he may still need to wait before getting big minutes. 
Terry Lockett definitely helped his cause by putting on some mass. He may need to add 10 more over the offseason, but he has the size and skill to step in and be in the defensive line rotation. 
Last but certainly not least, Landon Morris. Wow, this is impressive! When we wrote about him months ago, we said he needed to add size if he wanted to play tight end. Well he must be reading our stuff because he got big. At 6-6, 228 he can be a serious weapon for Syracuse and can now play on the line or split outside as a flex. I’d be very excited for his early progressions if I’m an SU fan. 
Number Changes
LB – Mikel Jones – 13 > 3
CB – Garrett Williams – 14 > 8
OL – Josh Koscoil – 70 > 64
DL – Joe Rondi – 61 > 92
Position Changes
Justin Barron – WR > DB
Trebor Pena – RB > WR
Patrick Alberga – DL > OL
Nothing major to report here. Justin Barron actually made the position switch last season in SU’s final three games for depth purposes. The freshman made a career-high three tackles vs Notre Dame and was primarily a special team contributor.
Barron played wideout and safety in high school so he has some familiarity with the other side of the ball. In his senior season, the Connecticut native logged 36 tackles and two picks. This is a good move considering how stacked the wideout room is and at 6-4, 219 pounds Barron has good size/range to play in the secondary.
Trebor Pena is an athlete in every sense of the word. He played in nine games last season as a kick returner and reserve running back. The freshman had a 98-yard kickoff return score vs NC State (SU’s first since 2011). Pena can be a weapon for the Orange in the slot and could’ve played as a scat back as well, but SU has plenty of options in the backfield.
In his senior season of high school, Pena racked up 1,666 total yards from scrimmage and scored 23 touchdowns. He can be an exciting player for a Syracuse team that’s seeking electricity in the slot position, especially with Nykeim Johnson now playing ball at Kent State.
Finally, Patrick Alberga’s case is pretty predictable. Every offseason, teams move defensive lineman to the other side of the ball if they’re buried in the depth chart and need bodies. Alberga will be a redshirt-freshman so he still has plenty of time to grow on the offensive side.
In high school, Alberga was voted his conference’s offensive and defensive lineman of the year. So he has some versatility and could blossom at some point.
Surprises?
These may not be surprises because if you have Twitter (be sure to follow us @orangefizz) you’ve probably heard about guys transferring in and out. Think of this as a reminder.
Who’s In?
#16 – QB – Garrett Shrader – IN > Transfer from Mississippi State
#21 – LB – Lee Kpogba – IN > Still rostered despite suspension
Who’s Out?
DB – Devon Clarke – OUT > Transfer? Not enrolled at SU.
QB – David Summers – OUT > Transfer
QB – Rex Culpepper – OUT > Transfer
WR – Ed Hendrix – OUT > Transfer? Not enrolled at SU.
RB РMarkenzy Pierre РOUT > Transfer 
RB – Jawhar Jordan – OUT > Transfer
LB – Tyler Cook – OUT > Transferred to Fordham
DB – Kevin Nusdeo – OUT > Transfer?
DB – Nate Erickson – OUT > Transfer
LB – Tyrell Richards – OUT > Transfer
RB – Devin Flowers – OUT > Transfer?
LB – Abrahim Kenneh – OUT > Transfer?
OL РQadir White РOUT > Transfer 
TE – Aaron Hackett – OUT > Transferred to TCU
DL РJason Muñoz РOUT > Transfer 
P/PK – Noah Nwosu – OUT > Transfer?
DL – Kevin Lemieux – OUT > Transfer
DL РCooper Dawson РOUT > Transfer 
DL РZach Morton РOUT > Transfer 
Quite a few transfers and outbound players here. Well as college football and sports fans, you better get used to it because this is now the norm. Instead of selling out for productive upperclassmen years, young guns are now more likely to transfer out than stay.
Several of these names you’ve never even heard of because many are walk-ons or reserves. However, there are a few surprises here. *Keep in mind any player that enters the transfer portal can return to its original school*
Ed Hendrix hits the portal after a rather disappointing start to his career at SU. The redshirt-sophomore caught three passes for 24 yards. We need to keep in mind he was slowed by a knee injury during preseason camp of his freshman year. Maybe that played an impact, but still Hendrix was a highly sought recruit for a reason and just never panned out. He’ll be remembered as the guy who ended Andre Cisco’s collegiate career.
Well Jawhar Jordan went from RB1 last season (minus opt-outs Jarveon Howard and Abdul Adams) to the portal. Tyrell Richards was a lock to be the LB two-deep for SU, but he wants to go somewhere and start.
Gosh, how about Qadir White. He redshirted his freshman season in 2018, didn’t play at all in ‘19, and missed all of last season with an injury. He was SU’s second highest recruit in the 2018 class that also brought in NFL bound Trill Williams. Hopefully he can avoid the injury bug at his next destination.
