LeQuint Allen’s future is certainly in doubt. We’ll see what happens in the court system regarding his suspension, but the possibility that he doesn’t play for Syracuse this year, or ever again, is certainly there. So, while we wait for clarity on what Allen’s future holds, let’s examine what else Syracuse has at running back.
Juwaun Price
Price was brought in with big expectations as a transfer from New Mexico State prior to last season. He scored 10 touchdowns in 2021, while averaging over five yards per carry. His overall production totals were low, with just 692 rushing yards, but it was on only 135 carries.
Many thought that Price would be Sean Tucker’s backup last year, but was beaten out by Allen. This year, he was set to be the undisputed backup. If Allen doesn’t play, odds are Price would be the starting running back, at least at the beginning of the season.
Ike Daniels
Daniels was a three star prospect in the class of 2023, and ended up being Syracuse’s highest rated recruit. He was the 900th best player in the country and 62nd best running back, according to 247Sports. He ran for over 1.700 and had more than 2,000 at Mountain View High School in Virginia.
Daniels got a heavy workload in the spring game and looked quick. He’s not very big, listed at 5’11 180. He may be too small at this point to absorb the punishment of being an every down running back, but he could have a significant role in a hypothetical backfield that doesn’t feature LeQuint Allen.
Muwaffaq Parkman
Speaking of freshmen, Parkman was Syracuse’s second-highest rated recruit in 2023. He wasn’t one of 247’s top 1,000 players, and was the 111th best athlete in the class. He was not listed as a running back as a recruit, but played there during spring ball and will continue to do so.
The Newark, New Jersey native is listed at 5’11 175 pounds, similar in size to Daniels. Syracuse hopes that at least one of those two develops into a productive player, or, better yet, they turn into a dynamic tandem. It may be a lot to ask, however, of both of them this early in their careers.
Mario Escobar
Escobar is a redshirt sophomore and has never gotten a collegiate carry. He was a regular on special teams last year, but never got into the offensive mix. That changed this spring when he was thought to be at least in the running for the number three running back spot. He has a brother, Joshua, who’s also a running back on the team.
