Syracuse Football: Sterling Hofrichter steals the show at ACC Kickoff

Syracuse football punter Sterling Hofrichter stole the show at ACC Kickoff and he wasn’t even there. Here are all the details and what it means.

Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers has been a bit of a prophet during his time on the hill. Whether that’s predicting when the Orange will pop or proclaiming his players are destined for the NFL.

At the ACC Kickoff Babers went back to his prophesizing ways but he didn’t talk about a player you’d expect:

"“Our punter is an NFL punter, write it down,” Babers said at the ACC Kickoff at The Westin Charlotte via Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times. “He will kick in the National Football League.”"

While these comments may surprise some, they shouldn’t.

Syracuse had one of the most elite special team units in the country in 2018 and they retained both Hofrichter and the reigning Lou Groza award winner (awarded annually to the best kicker in the country) Andre Szmyt.

Dino Babers isn’t the only person who thinks Sterling could be playing on Sundays. Recently on ‘Drive Time Sports’ with Boy Green, college football guru Phil Steele joined to talk Syracuse special teams and about Sterling Hofrichter:

"“Special teams is huge. I’m going to mention Iowa here. For years at Iowa, they didn’t have the talent to compete with an Ohio State or Michigan, but what he did have is the best special teams unit in the Big Ten on a yearly basis. I love it when teams have good special teams units because nobody else notices it.Last year Sterling Hofrichter had a 39.3 net and that’s outstanding. Andre Szmyt was 30-for-34 on field goals. Sean Riley returning punts at 16.4 per return. This is a very good unit throughout for the Orange. Even their long snapper Aaron Bolinsky is going to be solid. I think Syracuse will be fighting to be the top special teams unit in the country this year.”"

At the ACC Football Kickoff, Dino Babers also expressed how important special teams is and has been to the success of the program:

"“I think the first strength of our football team is our defense and they need to prove that. If you asked me what would be second, I would say our special teams. Our kicker is a Lou Groza award winner as a freshman. Our punter is an N-F-L punter, write it down: he will kick in the National Football League, that’s how good he is. When you have a good defense and good special teams, good things should happen. We have high expectations, but we have to go out there and prove ourselves.”"

On top of the things you see from punters, kickers, and returners the Orange had one of the best special teams coverage units in the country as well.

Both Andre, Sterling, and Sean Riley have a chance to play professionally. Sterling and Riley are seniors so 2019 will be their final run. While Szmyt has at least two more seasons left and could be here for three more.

If the special teams can be half as good as 2018, Syracuse should be in a phenomenal position. But it seems like they have the potential to be even better in 2019.