Syracuse heads to UConn with a projected depth chart that still leaves a few spots open to competition, but the Orange’s main pieces are clearly taking shape in year three under Fran Brown.
The season has already swung from one extreme to another. Syracuse opened with a 66-3 rout of New Hampshire, then dropped back-to-back games, falling 21-18 to California and 27-13 to Pittsburgh. Now the Orange stays on the road for game four, looking to steady itself after a 10-3 debut in Brown’s first season and a 3-9 follow-up in year two.
At quarterback, Steve Angeli is listed as the starter, with Amari Odom or Malachi Nelson behind him. The backfield shows a crowded mix of options, with Tylik Hill listed at the top and Ju’Juan Johnson, Shavane Anderson and Ahmad Miller all also in the picture.
Tight end belongs to David Clement, with Daunte Bacheyie or Noah Meyers behind him. Out wide, Umari Hatcher and Darius Johnson are locked in as starters, while the other receiver spots are still being sorted out.
Cole Weaver or Justus Ross-Simmons are listed at one spot with Calvin Russell behind them, and Zamondre Merriweather backs up Hatcher. Darien Williams is the backup to Johnson.
Up front, Syracuse’s offensive line projects with Trevion Mack at left tackle, Oluwafunto Akinshilo at left guard, Joe Cruz at center, Byron Washington at right guard and Kam Pringle at right tackle. The backups include Naquil Betrand, Zach Rice or Matthew Hawn, Khalil Stewart or Matthew Hawn, Jayden Mann and Skyler Harvey.
The defense also features some OR tags that suggest the rotation is still fluid. Tunmise Adeleye and Nissi Ogbebor are listed as starters on the line, with Rashard Perry or Dillan Fontus at the other defensive tackle spot and Keyshawn Johnson or David Omopariola at the other end. At linebacker, Antoine Deslauriers or Gary Bryant are listed at one spot, while Chris D’Appalonia or Gary Bryant are at the other, with Zyian Moultrie-Goddard, Jamie Tremble or Gemaus Sackie behind them.
In the secondary, Davien Kerr is listed at the nickel spot, Demetres Samuel or Nazir Ward at one corner, Cornell Perry or Ziyyon Bredell at strong safety, Braheem Long at free safety, and Chris Peal or Nazir Ward at the other corner. Javon Lawrence, Amare Snowden, Chase Geter and Cam Hairston-Taylor are among the backups there.
Syracuse calls this a projected depth chart, so nothing is locked in. But heading into UConn, the Orange has laid out the blueprint for how it wants to line up as it tries to get back on track.
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For Syracuse fans, the early debate is less about where those players landed and more about what their departures mean for the roster that remains. The mixed start has underscored how unpredictable transfer movement can be, with some exits already looking like immediate contributors elsewhere and others still in limbo as the season settles in. [Read more 🡒]
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