Could we see Eric Dungey in the NFL? Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers gave his take after his team’s win over Boston College on Saturday.
A skinny kid from Lake Oswego, Oregon came to Syracuse as a backup quarterback and he’s going to leave it as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in program history. That man is Eric Dungey.
Usually around this time of year the Syracuse football season is over, but not this year. Syracuse will be playing in a 13th game during bowl season and for the first time in his career, Dungey will be the quarterback leading that effort.
But after that bowl game, what does Dungey’s future hold?
If it was up to Syracuse head coach Dino Babers, that future would be on Sundays in the NFL:
"“I thought Eric (Dungey) was great on the sidelines on Saturday. When I was having a conversation with him on the sideline it wasn’t like I was talking to a senior, it was like having conversations with a graduate assistant or a young position coach. Basically to sum it all up, you’re talking about a guy in Dungey who has another level to go too. He’s going to play beyond Syracuse. I think the biggest thing I saw on the sideline was his growth mentally is bigger than the rest of us and he’s going to have an opportunity to play in the National Football League.”"
Babers doesn’t throw around that kind of praise often. But I’ve been asked this question often, is Dungey a NFL pro?
I don’t know if he’s a NFL starting quarterback week in and week out, although if anyone can do it he can. But I think his true role in the NFL, if he’s willing to take it is the Taysom Hill/Lamar Jackson role. A specialized quarterback package where you can maximize his greatest strength which is running the football, but still has the capability of throwing the ball on occasion.
Taysom Hill returns kicks, does wildcat running, and occasionally throws the football for the New Orleans Saints. While Lamar Jackson for the Baltimore Ravens may not contribute as much on special teams, he’s a dynamic piece on offense that has even proven he can play quarterback exclusively if need be.
An underrated quality of Eric’s game is his leadership ability. That intangible quality that raises the play of those around him. Every Syracuse player I’ve talked to on mic and off of it have echoed these comments about his ability to lead men.
We all know he’s as tough as bricks and NFL teams love having guys who are willing to do whatever it takes to win. While Dungey may not have as many wins as other collegiate quarterbacks in their careers, to Eric’s core he’s a winner and you wish you could have 53 of those guys on a NFL team.
Speaking of his toughness, reportedly after leaving the Notre Dame game, Dungey struggled to even get on the team bus back to Syracuse. Fast forward a week and this guy is suiting up and running full-go against a seven win Boston College team putting his mind, body, and spirit on the line. Mission accomplished the Orange blew out the Eagles by three scores and he got his team to nine wins.
That type of tenacity, dedication to the game, and his production all speak for themselves. I’ve texted a couple of scouts I’m close with and they seem to believe the same things I’m seeing, that Eric is a baller and teams will figure out how to best utilize him when they get him in the building.