Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Football 2020 Positional Preview: Running backs

By Christopher Queripel

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Abdul Adams #23 of the Syracuse Orange carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Holy Cross 41-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Abdul Adams #23 of the Syracuse Orange carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Holy Cross 41-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Jawhar Jordan

Now we talk about the biggest unknown for the Syracuse running game. Yet despite being unknown, Jawhar Jordan could prove to be the biggest x-factor for the Orange. Not just as a runner but, more importantly, as a tool with his speed on offense.

Jordan is the person that excites me the most for Syracuse, as he is potentially the fastest player on the roster. Jordan comes in as a redshirt freshman who did enter four games in his first year. Let’s take a look at his impact in limited snaps.

Jawhar Jordan career stats:

  • 192 yards from scrimmage
  • 7 yards per rush
  • 1 touchdown

Now, these stats are skewed as Jordan only ran the ball 15 times, but he did show some sparks of his speed and previewed the impact he will have for the Orange. Speed is an undeniable strength for Jordan.

On top of that, his agility makes him a versatile weapon. While he may not be a typical workhorse running back, he will be pivotal in the passing game. Expect him to be the running back in the game during passing situations. If Syracuse needs a few yards to gain, then expect the shifty back to be on the field.

Whether there’s a trick play or a standard set, Jordan will be an ace up Dino Babers sleeve. He is not proven yet and has a lot to learn and mature. A lot of the things that don’t come up on the stat sheet like pass blocking and knowing the playbook would be Jordan’s weaknesses right now. But we can chalk that up to being a young player in the system.

The one apparent disadvantage is that Jawhar is only 5-foot-9 and not even 170 pounds. However, despite being smaller, it will work for Syracuse. If he was the lead back then, the defense could cue upon him quickly.

But if Dino Babers is smart and uses him among other backs, then Babers could have a perfect recipe on his hands. Don’t be surprised if Jordan gets reps at wide receiver this season either. With an inexperienced wideout corps, a true athlete like Jordan could slip in.

It should be exciting to see how Dino Babers uses Jawhar Jordan in this offense, but somehow he must show off his blazing speed in 2020.

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