One of the biggest questions hanging over Syracuse as the season opener creeps closer is still unanswered: who exactly is going to carry the load at running back?
The Orange lost projected starter Yasin Willis to Kansas through the transfer portal, and while the staff brought in Ahmad Miller from Jackson State and Ju’Juan Johnson from LSU, the picture at the top of the depth chart remains cloudy with just a week left before kickoff.
Running backs coach Dennis Thomas met with the media after Friday’s practice and didn’t give much away.
"We don't have that solidified yet. But what I can tell you is the guys are working hard.."
Thomas is entering his first season coaching the running backs after spending the previous two years in a quality control role with the program. Syracuse hired him in 2023 after he spent one season at Rutgers in 2022. Before that, he coached at Millville High School in New Jersey for seven years, the same school that produced Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout.
The need for answers at the position is easy to understand when you look back at 2025. Syracuse finished 13th out of 17 ACC teams in rushing yards, putting up fewer than 1,500 on the ground. The Orange also managed just 11 rushing touchdowns, second-fewest in the league.
There are still several names in the mix beyond Miller and Johnson. Malachi Coleman could get work in the offense, and Tylik Hill is also in the conversation. Hill brings back the most production from last season, when he ran for 133 yards on 24 carries.
Thomas had praise for Hill on Friday.
"Tylik is a shifty back. He has good speed.
Deceptive speed.... I think he will do extremely well once he gets into the game"
For now, Syracuse appears willing to keep things under wraps. Like most teams, the Orange are likely to release a depth chart during game week, but early in the season that information often stays close to the vest. There may not be anything official until just before the opener next Saturday at noon ET against New Hampshire.
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