Syracuse Football: 3 key players for 'Cuse at home versus Ohio in 2024 season opener

The 2024 edition of Syracuse football will look much different for a few reasons. First, the obvious. The JMA Wireless Dome seats are now actual seats - not bleachers - and are the school's color blue. It adds to the improvements made to the Dome over the years and continues to make it one of the most unique venues in college football.

But on the field, first-year head coach Fran Brown is also looking for changes. The former defensive backs coach at Georgia is instilling a winning attitude on the Hill and commands excellence. Whether or not that translates right away won't be seen until Saturday afternoon, but heading into their first game against Ohio, the hype is real.

Of course, Syracuse football will need every single player on their roster to have successful seasons if they want to finish with the season they're hoping for. But it all starts on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and I'm looking at a trio of players to start the season on an extra high note.

Three Syracuse football players to watch as the Orange hosts Ohio in the 2024 season opener.

No. 1 Marlowe Wax Jr.
The star linebacker heads into a fifth season with Syracuse football, fresh off a season where he accounted for 110 total tackles and 4.0 sacks. He's one of the top players in the ACC and is looking to go out with a BANG.

With the Orange playing their first ACC game in week 2, at home versus Georgia Tech, it's that much more crucial for Wax to make a big impact in game 1. Fran Brown may have set the tone all offseason, but there would be nothing better for SU than their super senior rallying his guys from the start.

No. 2 Kyle McCord
It probably goes without being said that McCord will be playing with some pressure this season. There's been talk of him being an overrated QB at Ohio State, but he's looking to prove otherwise with Syracuse. It takes a very talented quarterback to play and start for the Buckeyes, but he won't have the same type of receivers with the Orange.

This game will be about making a statement. McCord is efficient and a great pocket passer, but how will he do with less talent? I still think SU has a lot of great players, but it would be silly comparing Syracuse's receiving options to Ohio State's. McCord has a chance to remind the nation just how great of a passer and a player he is.

No. 3 Duce Chestnut
Syracuse football recruited Chestnut, a four-star prospect, to play cornerback. He starred for the Orange and eventually found his way to Baton Rouge, transferring to play at LSU.

Now he's back in CNY and at least in week 1, is listed as one of the team's starting safeties. That's a new position for Chestnut, and he will have the opportunity to reintroduce himself to Orange Nation in the process.

There were some hard feelings when he left town, and that will come with being a highly ranked prospect on a team that isn't used to getting that type of talent out of high school. But Chestnut's skills are still some of the best in the ACC, and on Saturday, he'll get the chance to have Syracuse football fans on his side once again.