To redshirt, or not to redshirt – that is the question. True freshman QB A.J. Long did not think the coaching staff would be considering this a week ago. However, a leg injury to Terrel Hunt has changed the plan.
With all the chaos on the Hill right now with the Hunt injury and the George McDonald demotion, Scott Shafer and new offensive coordinator Tim Lester have a tough situation at quarterback against the top team in the nation in Florida State, Saturday.
Austin Wilson OR A.J. Long was listed at the starting quarterback position on Monday’s depth chart. Wilson is the likely option to start after coming to relieve Hunt in the embarrassing loss to the Cardinals last weekend. He went 11-17 for 89 passing yards against Villanova earlier this season and is known to have a cannon for an arm. At the same time, Wilson is unproven like Long and Mitch Kimble. The staff wants to keep its options open with only three healthy quarterbacks on the roster.
But, should the Orange burn Long’s redshirt almost halfway into the season? It might seem inevitable at this point with Shafer considering a two-quarterback system this Saturday against the Seminoles. It is important to note that Long has been around the team since he enrolled in January and has turned quite a few heads while he has been on the scout team.
The issue is that Long has a lot of potential on this team for future years. He even made strides to become a leader in his class before hitting the gridiron. Long was rated as high up as a four-star recruit, although most recruiting sites had him at three stars. Long taking snaps this season means he would only have three years left at Syracuse, which could affect how fast the staff wants to develop the Tennessee native. There has definitely been a talent increase Рhowever so gradual Рwithin the past few recruiting classes. This means the staff has to be careful to avoid making a decision they might regret in a few seasons.
However the way Syracuse should be looking at this opportunity is as a fresh start. Every young quarterback needs experience at some point or another in a real game setting. Lester has taken over the play-calling reins and needs a spark on the offense side of the ball. Long’s energy and competitive nature can be just what the Orange needs to at least get the offense moving.
Nobody expects Syracuse to come even close to beating the Seminoles at the Dome. With the spread of the game continually favoring FSU to win Saturday’s game by a landslide, the Orange can Рand should Рuse this opportunity to get creative and test out some fresh faces. Throughout last recruiting season, fans were salivating at what the potential combination between Long and WR Steve Ishmael could be like. Both will have a shot against one of the best defenses in the country if Shafer and his staff agree to play Long and burn the redshirt.
Although it will not look pretty at the Dome this Saturday, the quarterback-wide receiver relationship is a major area the Orange can focus on to make strides to preserve any bowl chances they have left.
Posted:  Zephan Mayell
6 responses to “Red(shirt) Alert: Should Long lose the Redshirt this Year?”
At this point in the season, burning Long’s redshirt would be a waste and just further proof/evidence that Shafer & Co. are desperate. The likelihood that a freshman is going to be the savior of this season is very, very low – and unless you have zero faith in more experienced QBs Wilson and Kimble, or if you love Eduoards so much that he is the heir apparent as true frosh, then just be patient and ride out the season, turn in a losing record, and take your lumps.
If Long can meaningfully help, then play him.
Many of the freshmen have played on special teams and in very limited roles.
Long is not the answer either this year!! SU is lacking athletes and the QB position(maybe other than Ryan) shows that. Hunts a bust too!! Backups are average at best!! SU is in trouble!!
DO NOT FORGET THE KIDS AT PSABUSERDU!!! THE NCAA DID!!
Terry, who do you propose SU does play at quarterback. Although you have given up on the year the team has not. Thus they still need to play someone even though you seem to think there is no answer.
We have seen wilson and he is somewhat pedestrian talent wise . Not a bad passing QB but not so much running with the ball which is important to avoid the rush. Give AJ a shot. We will have Edouard next year and Hunt and Wilson and recruiting QBs this and next recruiting season. Hunt hasn’t shown much progress this year which might have been G McD’s fault or responsibility at the very least. Hunt doesn’t have the speed to take off when he can’t find his primary receiver. Its my guess that AJ will be the sacrificial lamb come Saturday when the top team in the country comes on for a scrimmage. The Orange will be like the scout team come noon Saturday. Thirty years ago Nebraska came in as the top team in he country but Nebraska was no where close to being as good as FSU We have no chance.
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