Of all the things that Fran Brown has done this offseason, the thing that has impressed me the most, without a doubt, is the emphasis on strengthening the offensive line. The Orange have brought in three big time transfers in the trenches in the Spring portal. Austin Collins from Louisville, Zach Rice from North Carolina, Kam Pringle from South Carolina, and TJ Ferguson from Florida State.
All four of these new additions to the ‘Cuse are absolutely massive. They easily eclipse 1,000 pounds. Last year the line held the Orange back at times. Even with Kyle McCord and LeQuint Allen the offense struggled to move the ball at times, and the reason was the line. Syracuse lost a lot in the trenches this offseason but that isn’t a bad thing with how they played. The ‘Cuse will replace last year’s starters with power five transfers who were highly rated out of high school and are massive.
The line will be extra important next year with a new quarterback under center and an absolutely brutal schedule ahead. Teams like Tennessee, Clemson, and Notre Dame, which Syracuse travels to, are all always known for having big and talented offensive and defensive lines.
Brown made it clear at the end of last season that he knew bolstering the line would be key for SU to take the next step this season. Fran has made it clear since the second he took over the job that his goal is for Syracuse to win the Atlantic Coast Conference and National Championships. To do that, or to get anywhere close to that level where you can even compete, the lines have to be up to par. So far this spring, Brown has done what he’s needed to help his team in the trenches. Syracuse is on the right path.
