Syracuse Football: With Taj Harris gone, 5 receivers to be next man up

It’s no secret by now that Syracuse football wide receiver Taj Harris has decided to enter the transfer portal. His reasons are yet to be announced though NewsChannel 9’s Mario Sacco points out via Twitter that one reason to leave now is that playing in less than 4 games means he’s still possibly eligible for another year of eligibility.

So with Taj being the playmaker that he was at times, many Orange fans are left distraught, confused, upset and wondering who will we look to now for the production many hoped to see in him.

While I do wish him the best in his future endeavors, I also look at this as an opportunity for individuals to step up and prove they are capable. Looking at the roster and the plays this season so far, it was clear to me 5 names I believe can help make plays when needed, one of which leads the team in yards received already.

With Taj Harris gone, there are multiple Syracuse football WRs who will have the opportunity to step up.

So let’s start with the Orange’s leading receiver, Sean Tucker. Tucker’s explosiveness has already proven that if you throw the ball to him with a chance to excel, he has the potential to score 6 for you. He’s a playmaker and a guy you want to have the ball in his hands but on the flip side, the more we are forced to rely on only one guy, the more one-dimensional this team becomes to strategize for or run into issues should he get injured.

Next up, tight end Luke Benson who sadly went down to an injury just as they started utilizing him as a passing option. Based on reports I heard for the FSU game, it looks like Luke is ready to return and could give Syracuse football a quality receiving option.

Actually, if either he or the Rhino, Chris Elmore, are lined up at tight end, both are options to catch the ball and gain positive yardage (though I think Coach Babers has hinted at wanting to utilize Elmore as more of a blocker/additional offensive line support when possible).

Oh, Canada, do we have Damien Alford ready and willing to step up. For a guy who only caught one pass last season, this season so far he’s shown he can catch the ball and make plays. Will he be Mr. Reliable, eh? I definitely think he could be an Alec Lemon-type receiver who is reliable for that catch you need when you need it most.

Anthony Queeley was the guy many perceived to be the number two target behind Harris. Queeley does have over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown this season already and was the victim of a VERY close call on what could have been a crucial catch against Florida State University that could have swung the victory in the Orange’s direction. He is probably the most likely option to be the guy to make the catch you thought he’d miss or turn a short catch into a long gain like most saw in Harris.

And my fifth and final choice is Courtney Jackson. Even though Jackson attended a high school in PA that rivaled the one I went to for my senior year and technically graduated from, I’m still going to give him his props for his play in Orange (Go Mustangs).

He’s already had 11 receptions for 114 yards this season including 57 of those against FSU in Harris’s absence. Hopefully, he can enjoy some more Rudy’s Subs in Monroeville during the offseason and continue to grow his game on the field.

The one thing about an injury or an absence of any kind is that it provides opportunities for others, especially younger talent to step up. And while it’s definitely possible there is a freshman or sophomore I didn’t name who could step up soon, these are the 5 that I think will provide the most immediate production in the passing game.

Maybe one steps up with NFL potential or maybe all 5 work together to provide more resources to quarterbacks Garrett Shrader or Tommy DeVito. Time will tell and while I’d be lying if I said Harris’s production won’t be missed, I also feel like there are players on this team ready to step up and make a difference starting with the home game against undefeated Wake Forest this Saturday.