Syracuse Football: 10 reasons why the Orange could be special in 2022

So recently I’ve shared three different posts breaking down the Syracuse football 2022 schedule into three segments where I also included predictions.

First I wrote about the September schedule in July, then I covered the October portion of the schedule and finally wrapped up the season with my November preview and predictions.

If you’ve read them, you’ll see I’m feeling pretty optimistic about this team and its potential if guys stay healthy. I’m sure many will read them as though I’m just predicting it with Orange-colored glasses (and I’m a fan so that plays a role), but I truly believe this could be a special team in Syracuse football history.

To prove my point, I wanted to briefly give you my top 10 reasons why my heart and my brain both are telling me it’s more than just my fandom this season.

Here is why Syracuse football is poised to have a stellar 2022 campaign.

Improved Tucker & backfield depth
Syracuse football Head Coach Dino Babers himself has said star running back Sean Tucker looks even better this season in practice. If you’ve followed Coach over his tenure at Syracuse, you probably know he doesn’t make statements like that lightly. And this is a guy in Tucker who in 2021 set records at SU and spent time atop the rushing leaders in the NCAA.

And now let’s add New Mexico State transfer Juwan Price and true freshman LeQuint Allen, who was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year in his senior year of high school, plus the mobility of QB Garrett Shrader, and I think the running game will be a huge plus in 2022.

Bergeron and the best offensive line in years
In order for that to happen, those guys are going to need space. In recent years, Syracuse football offensive line coach Mike Schmidt has built an impressive unit and this year one name leading the way is Matthew Bergeron, who I think stands a legitimate chance to play at the next level.

If healthy, he and Florida transfer Chris Bleich in his second year eligible for the Orange will anchor a line that along with Tisdale, Ilaoa and others will allow the offense to be successful.

Shrader with Anae and Beck
And with a great running game in place and an offensive line that I believe will be one of the best in years, will Garrett Shrader be the QB this team needs?

The short answer is yes. There is no more “quarterback controversy” like there was to start last season so it’s Shrader’s job to lose.

And with new offensive coordinator Robert Anae and new quarterbacks coach Jason Beck on campus and looking at their track record at Virginia and BYU before that, players have seen improvements in their game and it’s my belief Shrader will be the leader that this team needs.

Special teams issues addressed
At the end of 2021, Andre Szmyt struggled and decided he was going to leave Syracuse University. The punting game also struggled and put Syracuse football in some bad field positions.

Enter new special teams coach Bob Ligashesky. Coach Babers recognized this was an area needing to be fixed and hired a guy who has an extensive record working with special teams including the 2008 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

His previous stop was Bowling Green University where kicker Nate Needham led the nation in field goal percentage. So now add a coach like this to work with a former Lou Groza winner like Szmyt & others, and I see a path to success.

Mikel leads stacked LB corp
Mikel Jones, Marlowe Wax and Stefon Thompson are looking to make a statement this season and were very effective last season. Mikel, in my opinion, is not only a leader on this team but I believe could also have NFL possibilities following in the tradition similar to Zaire Franklin, who is successful with the Indianapolis Colts.

And there were times last season I saw Wax and Thompson amongst the leaders in tackles for the team. This unit will provide a lot of support up front and force QBs and RBs to change their game plans.

SU = Secondary University
And speaking of game plans, teams facing Syracuse football this season will have to deal with Duce Chesnut and Garrett Williams in the secondary. Both guys have earned reputations of being elite-level cover guys and have continued the tradition left to them when Andre Cisco, Trill Williams and Ifeatu Melfonwu were drafted to the NFL.

And while both guys earned their recognition, don’t sleep on transfer Braylon Oliver, if healthy Neil Nunn, Ja’Had Carter, Justin Barron who had 42 tackles last season, and senior Eric Coley out of F-M HS, who I believe if healthy will be a huge contributor.

Youth but talent at receiver and defensive line
At the end of the 2021 season, the defensive line lost the most experience at one position for this team. The wide receivers were young but showed potential at times.

In 2022, Syracuse football junior Caleb Okechukwu will lead the young defensive lineman group that I think will be a great group for years to come and improve as the season goes on.

And new wide receivers coach Michael Johnson will use his over 20 years of coaching experience to help mentor guys like Trebor Peña, Courtney Jackson, Damien Alford and others, plus true freshman Donovan Brown, who was a Maryland state champion in track while also being all- county at football.

Almost 8 wins last season
If you look at last season, this team was VERY close to 8 wins. Three games straight they lost by 3 points to 3 quality teams but lost and only finished with 5 wins. This season returns many of those players who helped guide this team last year, but with more experience in most positions and addressing issues that may have helped them win those games in 2021.

So if they could have won 8 last year but improved, why not believe they could get that now and maybe more? Clemson struggled some last season and lost their offensive coordinator. That offensive coordinator is now in his first season as the head coach at Virginia.

Pittsburgh lost their QB to the NFL and an elite WR to USC. Notre Dame lost their head coach to LSU. Will they still be as good or will these teams be vulnerable this season?

Rhino is the X-factor
Chris Elmore is back for a sixth season, and I’m a huge fan of the man they call Rhino. Not only does his experience matter but so does his versatility to play multiple positions including FB or TE. Chris will provide valuable blocking at either position and could be an asset with his size and hands to make plays in short-yardage situations.

If I’m Sean Tucker or a receiver and see Rhino in front of me, I’m going to let him lead me to the promised land. He can be that leader on and off the field who gives this team just a little more of an edge and the confidence to win.

Welcome to the Loud House – dome field advantage
And last but not least, if this team starts off hot, the fans will come. If the fans come, the JMA Wireless Dome has the potential to be loud and impact the performance of visiting teams as well as a morale boost for the Orange.

Could the Loud House once again become one of the hardest environments for visiting teams to play in and give the Orange the advantage, especially in October and November when big-name teams visit and with a bowl game possibly on the line?

I truly believe when the Dome is loud, the Orange stands a better chance to win, and I’m betting on us in 2022.