Syracuse Football Spring Preview: Top 5 things to watch out for

4. New names to watch out for

It’s the cycle of life when one thing dies another thing is born. That same message is reiterated every year for the Syracuse football team. Players graduate and move on and others players step up to the plate.

That is again the case this season, although it feels even heavier with so many losses on both sides of the football. For example, in back-to-back seasons offensively the Orange have lost Amba Etta-Tawo and Steve Ishmael.

While on defense the team lost a dynamic duo at the linebacker position in Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett. A ton of production is lost and of course has to be replaced. But the other nugget is the Orange haven’t been to a bowl game since 2013, so they have even more to replace.

But fortunately here are several names to keep an eye on:

• Aaron Hackett, TE
  • Former three star prospect at a clear position of need. Perhaps SU can utilize some two-tight end sets this season. Definitely an athletic freak who can add some juice to the roster.
• Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB
  • Lanky freak of nature defensively. Has the Kam Chancellor body and the Orange hold a real diamond in the rough.
• Lakiem Williams, LB
  • Lakiem Williams is tasked with the impossible job to replace Zaire Franklin. Realistically it’ll be more committee by approach at the linebacker position.