Syracuse Football: Airon Servais to anchor Orange OL (Rimington Trophy)

The success of the 2019 Syracuse football squad hinges on the OL. Airon Servais will be the anchor as he tries to win the Rimington Trophy.

The preseason award lists keep rolling out as we approach the official kickoff of the 2019 Syracuse football season.

Another important Orange player has received the highest offensive line recognition with Airon Servais being named to the Rimington Trophy watch list.

This award has been annually doled out since the turn of the 21st century. Each year the most outstanding center in college football is recognized.

"“Servais is one of 80 centers on the watch list, including seven from Atlantic Coast Conference schools,” per the official press release."

Interestingly enough after spending the first two years of his career at center, the coaching staff flexed Airon out to right tackle to start spring practice, per Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com.

Servais was initially replaced by Sam Heckel, the team’s third guard but he went down to injury and is now fully recovered from some offseason surgery. Thus Airon has shifted back to his natural position of center.

Although with Sam healthy, he could revert back to the initial plan of him going to center. Which would rule Airon out of the race for the Rimington Trophy, because he would be flexed to tackle.

Regardless of what happens, it’ll be a game of musical chairs this year for the Syracuse football coaching staff in the trenches.

After a remarkable 10-3 2018 campaign, the Orange now have to replace three starters from that brilliant offensive line in Koda Martin, Cody Conway, and Aaron Roberts.

With Airon’s experience at the center position and considering how important that relationship is between center and quarterback, Syracuse may be best served to leave this situation as is.

"“Servais has started all 25 games at center for the Orange the past two years, amassing 72.5 knockdown blocks over 2,139 snaps, including a team-best 36.5 last season. A 2018 All-ECAC First Team selection, Servais averaged 5.25 knockdowns per game during the final four contests. His efforts helped pave the way for an Orange offense that ranked 11th nationally in scoring (40.2 ppg) a year ago and set program records for points (523) and rushing touchdowns (38),” per the official press release."

Not only is Airon a superstar on the field, but he’s a star off of it as well.

"“Servais is a two-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree, a five-time SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll selection, and the current director of public relations for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes. In his role with UA, Servais helped organize the 2019 “Lift for Life,” which was held Thursday night and raised more than $7,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases,” per the press release."

Since the inception of the Rimington Trophy (back in 2000), over $4.2 million has been raised to fight against cystic fibrosis. This award is backed by the Boomer Esiason Foundation which is committed to finding a cure for the disorder, per SU Athletics.

This is another award that has never been won by a member of the Orange. Although four members of the ACC have won this award over the last 19 years.

For Syracuse to ultimately reach their goals in 2019, they’ll need Airon Servais and this offensive line to hold down the fort for Tommy DeVito. Of course, every offensive line in the country holds the keys to unlocking the full capabilities of an offense, but it’s especially true for the Orange.

Syracuse hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2012. While from a quarterback’s perspective SU finally had a starter play the whole season (Eric Dungey in 2018), it hasn’t happened often. With no proven commodities beyond their starter this season, it’s DeVito or bust in 2019.