Syracuse Football: Ravian Pierce has joined the Cleveland Browns
Talented former Syracuse football tight end Ravian Pierce has earned an opportunity with the Cleveland Browns. Here’s why that fit makes sense.
Call it the “Dino Babers effect”. Several former Syracuse football players are getting ample opportunities to prove themselves at the highest level.
Only one player was drafted (Chris Slayton, 245th overall to the New York Giants), but five others have signed deals as well post-NFL Draft:
- Koda Martin (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Cody Conway (Tennessee Titans)
- Jamal Custis (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Dontae Strickland (Arizona Cardinals)
Well, now we have to add one more name to that list: former Syracuse tight end Ravian Pierce. Nate Mink of Syracuse.com revealed that Pierce has been invited to the Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp.
Ravian only spent two years here at Syracuse after transferring over from Southwest Mississippi Community College. While his former school may not have raised many eyebrows, his measurables sure do:
- 6-foot-3
- 244 pounds of chiseled muscle
While he’s not really an in-line blocking tight end, he can be that flexed out tight end or even work out of the backfield. His overall stats on the hill were modest: 45 receptions for 368 yards and seven touchdowns. But it’s the potential that has NFL teams buzzing.
Speaking of, over 26 NFL teams were represented at the Syracuse Pro Day back in March. It was Ravian’s opportunity to prove that his potential could turn into production with some NFL coaching.
Someone who has really impressed me at #CuseProDay is former #Orange TE Ravian Pierce (@thereal_6rp). His 40-yard dash he looked like a gazelle + he’s just athletic as hell. Could be a nice gem for a #NFL team. #OITNF pic.twitter.com/Ghe7m2usDS
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) March 18, 2019
Honestly, if you look at Babers’ coaching history, he has never really featured a tight end in his offenses. Which is a shame because Ravian really could’ve benefited from getting some volume in the Orange is the New Fast attack.
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The Cleveland Browns are an ideal fit for Ravian’s talents. The team didn’t use a draft pick on a tight end and when you look at their overall roster they have five tight ends currently. Only one (David Njoku) is a lock to make the roster, so there’s plenty of opportunities for Pierce to make his mark in Cleveland.