Syracuse’s penultimate preseason practice was closed to the media, but nickels coach Marcus Walker still had plenty to say afterward about where his defensive backs stand and what camp has looked like so far.
Walker spent much of Thursday night talking about the traits that separate the best defensive backs from the rest. For him, it starts with versatility.
That’s been a message he’s pushed since joining head coach Fran Brown’s staff in January, and he wants his DBs to be every bit as reliable against the run as they are in coverage. That kind of all-around ability, Walker said, makes players “plug and play” pieces.
Asked which defensive backs have stood out most during camp, Walker wouldn’t single out just one name. In his view, the answer changes almost daily because the group keeps pushing one another.
“It really depends on the day," Walker said. "We got a lot of guys who can play, and those guys love to compete and play with each other.
It’s always interesting. I can say one name today, and tomorrow it would be another guy that made a lot of plays.
We’re in camp mode right now, so those guys are competing and they love to do it."
Walker also addressed Syracuse’s new defensive coordinator, Vince Kehres, whom he called “Coach VK.” Kehres has been charged with reshaping a defense that finished toward the bottom of the ACC in forced fumbles, sacks and interceptions last season, and Walker said the early returns have been strong.
According to Walker, Kehres has built the scheme around the players already on hand, putting an emphasis on what they do best. That approach, he said, should let Syracuse’s defensive backs play with more freedom and better showcase their skills.
“The players love playing for him because he’s a good teacher and he’s fun to be around,” Walker said.
Walker wrapped up by turning to the offense his unit faces every day in practice. He praised starting quarterback Steve Angeli and the revamped receiving corps around him, though he stopped short of naming a favorite wide receiver to line up against, saying he didn’t want to “shortchange” any of the others.
“It’s the best time of the year. We’ve been beating up on each other for a long time, and I think the guys are ready to see a new team and ready to compete,” Walker said.
“We’ve had a great camp. Those guys have really gelled together at the right time and been getting better everyday, so it’s been fun to see our guys competing.
We’re just looking forward to seeing what they’re gonna do in a game situation now. I think they’re ready to do the same thing.”
In Other News...
Kyle McCord Is Forcing A Packers Decision Syracuse Fans Will Watch
Kyle McCords preseason push has become one of the more interesting subplots for Syracuse fans tracking former Orange players in the NFL. The Green Bay quarterback helped engineer a comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals, finishing with 22 completions in 35 attempts for 226 yards and four touchdowns, including two late scoring drives that flipped the game in his teams favor.
McCord has been stacking up strong outings all summer, and that kind of consistency can make roster conversations a lot less theoretical as cutdown season approaches. He signed with the Packers in January after his practice squad deal with the Philadelphia Eagles expired, and now hes putting real pressure on Green Bays decision-makers as they sort through the quarterback picture for the 2026-27 season. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Gets A Huge Relief As Angeli And Nixon Eye Offensive Fix
Syracuse wrapped up its training camp practices Friday and now shifts into game week mode, with no media observation periods to offer any more clues about how the depth chart is settling. The most immediate boost for the Orange is the return of wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons, who has been ruled eligible to practice and play after a court order affecting multiple athletes. It gives the offense another piece to work with as the staff turns from camp installation to actual preparation.
Steve Angeli also made clear where the optimism is coming from on that side of the ball. The quarterback spoke about his connection with offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon and the shared push to improve an offense that will be under the microscope once the season begins. For Syracuse, the next few days are less about talking through possibilities and more about seeing whether that camp momentum can carry into a cleaner, more productive game-week plan. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Offense Heads Into Week 1 With One Intriguing Edge
Syracuse wrapped up its final preseason practice before the season opener against New Hampshire, and one of the clearer advantages on offense is the continuity already in place. Jeff Nixon is entering his third year as offensive coordinator, giving the Orange a steady hand in the system as quarterback Steve Angeli settles into his first season with the team after transferring last year.
JuJuan Johnson and Cole Weaver also stood out during camp, with coaches and teammates pointing to both players for the leadership and skill sets they bring. There is a sense around the offense that those additions can help the group get rolling early, but the real test now comes when the preseason work gives way to game speed and the Orange find out how much of that optimism carries into Week 1. [Read more 🡒]