Coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference are providing some thoughts about Syracuse football and its head coach, ace recruiter Fran Brown.
Recently, via the Athlon Sports Web site, ACC coaches dished on their conference foes ahead of the 2025 season. The media outlet wrote: "In order to get an accurate assessment of teams heading into 2025, Athlon asked coaches in the ACC to talk anonymously about their opponents."
The most eye-opening, encouraging quote, when you look at the section on the Orange, is as follows: "The biggest culture change at a program in our league, for sure."
That's awesome stuff, although it's not surprising. Brown and his coaching staff have instilled the #DART mentality in the Syracuse football program and frankly, also in the fan base (myself included).
ACC coaches talk about Syracuse football.
Another quote says that Brown "is a rising star, and he’s attacking recruiting and the portal in a way that program has never seen. But don’t expect another 10-win season this year. Right now, their roster looks like it’s going to be a little less talented as they transition into a more consistent approach to recruiting high school."
I agree and think this is a fair assessment. Brown, in his first season as a college football head coach, guided the Orange to a 10-3 overall record, three top-25 wins, a bowl-game victory and a No. 20 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
On paper, the team's schedule in the upcoming campaign looks more daunting than in 2024, and Syracuse football lost key guys including quarterback Kyle McCord, tight end Oronde Gadsden II, running back LeQuint Allen Jr., edge Fadil Diggs, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, linebacker Marlowe Wax Jr., defensive back Alijah Clark, linebacker Justin Barron and defensive back Clarence Lewis, among others.
As such, I personally don't believe that the 'Cuse will attain 10 triumphs in 2025 as it did a stanza ago, but that doesn't mean the Orange can't pick up some quality wins and make another bowl game.
Other quotes from coaches in the Athlon Sports piece note that Syracuse football isn't a "good run team," the quarterback position is inexperienced, the secondary is "very shaky" and 'Cuse coaches are "aggressive about scouting talent. If they somehow keep the same level of offensive production, they could go bowling again."
Without question, filling the void left by the record-setting McCord is a tall task. The squad's quarterback room is absolutely inexperienced, but talented, and a top expert recently said he's intrigued by the Orange's QB competition for the 2025 starting job, whether it be LSU transfer Rickie Collins or Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli.
I'd argue that while the 'Cuse isn't a dominant running team, Allen was pretty darn good in 2024 and I'm high on rising sophomore running back Yasin Willis ahead of the 2025 term. The secondary, undeniably, is young, but I don't know if it's "shaky."
Earlier this month, Syracuse football did boost its depth in the secondary when it landed a commitment from Georgia cornerback Chris Peal, who is a three-star transfer prospect and, while in high school, was a four-star, top-100 prep recruit.