We are officially 15 days out Fizz Nation! Syracuse squares off with Louisville in what figures to be a very exciting back-and-forth affair in the JMA Wireless Dome. As we continue to creep closer and closer to toe meeting leather on September 3rd, let’s finish our position group power ranking series. We ranked the offense earlier this week, now we flip to the other side of the line of scrimmage.
4. Defensive Line
This is both the worst position group on defense and the whole team. Syracuse has not done well to recruit and prepare for the crisis it faces in the trenches this year. SU lost a plethora of super seniors last year who were all big contributors. The Orange bring back two players that have previous starting experience but not much else.
Syracuse lacks experience and production heading into 2022 with no obvious answers. SU had chances to corral talent that went wayward as well as add key pieces in the transfer portal. However, Dino Babers and company were unsuccessful in both ventures. This position group may be what cripples this defense in the fall.
3. Safeties
When there’s two potential NFL draft picks starting at corner it’s difficult to slot this position group at two. Syracuse definitely has solid pieces in the outfield: Eric Coley, Jason Simmons Jr., Ja’Had Carter, and Rob Hanna come to mind. What SU needs from its centerfielders this year is more consistency with downfield coverage as well as sure-handed tackling in run support.
With the d-line as thin as sliced ham in a deli, the second level defenders will need to be as disciplined as an Army general with filling gaps and flowing to the football. Syracuse has the pieces and the talent to do it, we just haven’t seen it done both at a high level and from a Saturday-to-Saturday basis.
2. Cornerbacks
There’s definitely an argument to be made for the island players to take the top spot. The reason why they don’t is because of depth. Yes, you have two studs in Garrett Williams and Duce Chestnut, but what you don’t really have is options behind them. Think of last year, Williams was in and out with injury which thrusted Adrian Cole into the game.
Well that didn’t work out very great for the former safety who now suits up for Florida International. This defense is completely different if CB’s 1 & 2 are on the bench. Maybe Jeremiah Wilson can be the depth piece they’re looking for. The true freshman wide receiver has attracted rave reviews for his play in the spring and fall camp. However, we haven’t seen Wilson compete with some of the best pass catchers the east coast has to offer just yet.
1. Linebackers
The second level of Syracuse’s defense is stacked. SU brings back its starting three from last season including Mikel Jones, Stefon Thompson, and Marlowe Wax. The LB trio finished 1-2-3 last season in tackles with Jones leading the way in TFL’s and the Thompson/Wax duo finishing 2-3 on the squad in sacks.
All three studs return to lead this defense in 2022. The groups role might be heightened this year with the attrition and lack of experience along the defensive line. The trio needs to stay healthy and play some of its best football for Tony White’s 3-3-5 to be successful this season.
