Syracuse Football: Important facets to dissect in first 2020 depth chart
By Neil Adler
Besides what’s going on at running back, there are other significant items to discuss in the Syracuse football initial 2020 depth chart.
Syracuse football disclosed its first depth chart of the 2020 campaign on Monday, and besides the situation at running back, which we just covered, there are numerous additional things of consequence to pass along to Orange fans.
Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com wrote an article about this initial depth chart and provides terrific context about the ‘Cuse. For one, there is some shuffling in the Syracuse football secondary, which is expected to represent one of the bright spots on the squad this fall.
Junior Andre Cisco, a pre-season All-American candidate according to multiple national media outlets, will serve as the group’s rover. Another junior with star potential, Trill Williams, moves over to free safety. Additionally, redshirt freshman Garrett Williams is a starting corner.
It’s widely documented that the ‘Cuse offensive line mightily struggled in 2019, and the team’s first depth chart doesn’t provide a ton of optimism.
Bailey says that redshirt junior guard Dakota Davis, a returning starter from last year, is not listed on this inaugural depth chart. That’s a bummer. Bailey notes that Davis “was rehabbing an injury in the fall and not been seen practicing during the fall.”
To replace Davis, “senior tight end/defensive tackle Chris Elmore is slotted to start at left guard opposing redshirt junior Darius Tisdale,” per the Bailey report.
"More from Bailey. “Senior Patrick Davis is also a candidate to see time at guard while redshirt sophomore Chris Bleich could enter the mix if he’s granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA. However, Bleich underwent surgery this offseason for an undisclosed injury and has not been pictured practicing this fall.”"
As I’ve opined in the past, it’s totally absurd that the NCAA has yet to rule on Bleich’s waiver request.
There are a handful of Syracuse football players to chat about regarding the Orange’s first 2020 depth chart.
Anthony Queeley, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, has received a placement on the No. 1 line after battling it out with fellow redshirt sophomore, Ed Hendrix.
Nolan Cooney, a redshirt senior, will serve as the Syracuse football punter, and the holder on field-goal/extra-point kicks, after beating out freshman James Williams.
This is somewhat of a surprise to me, as Williams amounted to one of the top placekickers/punters coming out of high school, per several of the primary recruiting services.
"Finally, among the linebackers, Bailey says that “freshman Stefon Thompson is penciled in as SU’s starting strong-side linebacker, ahead of redshirt freshman Steve Linton. Linton has drawn praise from teammates throughout the offseason as a long and explosive presence who could serve as a top pass-rusher, whereas Thompson brings some extra size into the box.”"