As the Syracuse Orange gear up for spring ball, all eyes are on the quarterback position, but let's not forget about the crucial role of the center. With Steve Angeli returning from injury and the additions of Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson, the QB depth is looking better. However, the real enigma lies with who will be snapping the ball.
Last season, transfer Austin Collins took most of the snaps at center, logging a hefty 576 before injuries sidelined him. Joshua Miller stepped up for 214 snaps in his absence, but both have since moved on-Collins graduated, and Miller transferred to Austin Peay. This leaves Joe Cruz, with 147 snaps, and Khalil Stewart, with just 13, as the returning players with any experience at the position.
Is Cruz the frontrunner for the starting role? His performances last season, graded by PFF, were a mixed bag:
- North Carolina: 64.9
- Miami: 48.6
- Notre Dame: 50
While these numbers provide a glimpse, they are too limited to draw definitive conclusions, especially given the tough opponents and Syracuse's quarterback situation at the time. Cruz's experience could give him an edge, but it's far from a done deal.
Interestingly, the Orange didn't heavily invest in the offensive line through the transfer portal, adding only UCLA's Oluwafunto Akinshilo, who saw minimal action with just 12 snaps at center for the Bruins. With several linemen brought in over the last two years and new offensive line coach Juan Castillo at the helm, predicting who will stand out this spring is anyone's guess.
While the center position might not grab the headlines, its importance cannot be overstated. The battle for the starting spot is one to watch closely, as solidifying this role will be key for Syracuse's success this season.