The hype and confidence around Syracuse football are higher than they’ve been in decades. The Orange just won 10 games this year, have a bona fide star of a head coach in Fran Brown, and there’s even hope that Kyle McCord could return at quarterback next year. Most fans are balancing the hope they have with some realism though, especially given the tough schedule SU has next year, which includes four teams that made the College Football Playoff this season. However, Syracuse’s potential weaknesses on the defensive end next year are flying under the radar.
The transfer portal hit all three phases of the Syracuse football roster, but not in the same way. On the offensive end, starting center J’Onre Reed left for USC, while some other backups entered the portal as well. Special teams also saw a departure, as former starting kicker Brady Denaburg transferred to Minnesota. However, the defense was absolutely ravaged.
Starting cornerback Marcellus Barnes, who had an impressive year as a true freshman, entered the transfer portal. He was joined by fellow starting cornerback Jayden Bellamy, as well as rotational players like safety Jaeden Gould, linebacker Kadin Bailey, and defensive lineman Michael Nwokocha.
The transfer portal isn’t the only place that’s taking away talent from the Syracuse football defense, though. Five other starters have either ran out of eligibility or entered their name in the NFL Draft, or both: cornerback Clarence Lewis, defensive end Fadil Diggs, linebacker Justin Barron, and linebacker Marlowe Wax, and safety Alijah Clark. The first four of those players earned All-ACC honors this season as well.
Between the transfer portal and the NFL Draft, Syracuse’s defense has a lot of holes to fill next year. And, remember, that’s a unit that finished in the lower third of the ACC in scoring defense and rushing defense this past season. The Orange’s defense already needed to be better next year, but now, that will be a lot harder of a job.
By no means is next year “over” because Syracuse football needs to rebuild its defense. However, it’s worth keeping in mind how difficult of a task that unit has next season.
