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Syracuse Football: Dino Babers says WR and LB are positions to watch

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dino Babers of the Syracuse Orange leads his team onto the field before the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dino Babers of the Syracuse Orange leads his team onto the field before the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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In the ACC Spring Media Teleconference, Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers had a lot to say about the wide receiver and linebacker position.

We are still several months away from Syracuse football in the Carrier Dome. Despite that, we had a healthy conversation with Dino Babers on the ACC Spring Media Teleconference.

Obviously coming off the Syracuse Football Spring Preview, there were a lot of questions asked in this one. But the biggest question on the minds of the media and fans is, what the heck are they going to do at wide receiver and linebacker?

This team lost crazy production, leadership, and quite frankly some of the best players in program history. Here was Babers on that:

"“I see youth, guys making mistakes,” Babers said via Nate Mink of Syracuse.com. “I see a lot of young men getting an opportunity to play that haven’t had an opportunity to play in the past because they couldn’t move those guys out of the way.“We’re going be younger there. They’ll have fresher knees and fresher shoulders, but there’s no way that they’ve seen as much as those linebackers that left and are trying to get opportunities to play in the National Football League.”"

Just to recap in case anyone forgot, the Orange are going to have to try and replace:

  • Zaire Franklin
    • Only the second three-time team captain in history. Played in all 48 games of his collegiate career. Notched over 300 tackles, the most by a Syracuse player in over a decade.
  • Steve Ishmael
    • All-time leader in career receiving yardage (passed Marvin Harrison last season). True No. 1 wide receiver on this team and one of the best in program history.
  • Parris Bennett
    • Often lived in the shadow of Zaire Franklin, but people who watched the tape knew how special Bennett was. A versatile linebacker who can play any position along the front.
  • Ervin Philips
    • All-time leader in receptions (passed Alec Lemon last season). Seventh in SU history in terms of receiving yardage (2,069 yards). Versatility was the name of the game playing all receiver positions, running back, and was a dynamic returner.

Those are some serious shoes to fill. But here are the players who are expected to try and pick up where these Orange greats left off:

Wide receiver:

  • Devin C. Butler, Junior
    • Many expect Devin Butler to be THE guy for the Orange next season. To do so he has to be more consistent or else he’ll be lost in the shuffle.
  • Nykeim Johnson, Sophomore
    • Babers mentioned in the teleconference that perhaps a young star will step up. If anyone is going to it would be Nykeim Johnson who reminds me of DeSean Jackson.
  • Trishton Jackson, Junior
    • As great as Trishton Jackson is, he can’t play in 2018 due to transfer rules. But that makes things in 2019 look extra spicy!
  • Jamal Custis, Senior
    • This is the epitome of a guy who looks great in a pair of shorts but it hasn’t translated to the field. If he can capitalize on his raw ability he could be the next Amba Etta-Tawo.

Linebacker:

  • Lakiem Williams, Junior
    • The biggest name from this group is clearly Lakiem. We had a great conversation with him a few months back and he’s more than ready to step in for Zaire Franklin from a psychological standpoint. We’ll see if that translates to the field.
  • Nadarius Fagan, Sophomore
    • A former two-time captain in high school appears to have the intangibles you’re looking for from your defensive captain. Played a lot of outside linebacker, we’ll see if he can play any inside.
  • Andrew Armstrong, Junior
    • Has been a core special teams player, which is certainly important, but perhaps he can make the leap in the pecking order on defense. In high school he played offense, defense, and specifically some safety. So he’s got that sneaky coverage ability that could serve him very well at linebacker.

Next: Syracuse Basketball: Grading the Orange in the NBA

  • Shyheim Cullen, Junior
    • Another guy who is a special teams animal who is looking for a bigger role in 2018. Another former high school team captain. All of these guys have traits, but it’s going to be a big ask to see if they can fill some impossibles shoes not only production wise, but leadership wise as well.
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