For SU football the question right now, more than five months from the opening kickoff against Rhode Island, “is there an area of this team we can feel comfortable?”
Yes, the running back position.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Lester has made it known that he wants to play a different type of offense than George McDonald’s spread it out, bubble screen, speed game. Sure, the offensive line is a bit of a question mark, but that is why teams use two tight ends—something Lester has said he will take advantage of.
We know what we have in the running backs at the top of the depth chart. George Morris II and Devante McFarlane have both shown they can contribute to the team, even if it was on a limited basis in each of the previous two years. Both offer different skills and bring different aspects of the running game to the table.
Behind them, the Orange can take advantage of Erv Phillips and Ashton Broyld, two slot receivers that have experience as running backs. This is another thing that Lester has mentioned doing. It is something that should happen considering the dynamic nature of both players. Both Broyld and Phillips have shown in the past that they can make plays, but they need to be given an opportunity to do so more often.
But what if you don’t like those options? Who else do the Orange have? Well, first there is Terrel Hunt—he will be the starting quarterback. He is built like a linebacker at 6’3” and 219 pounds, and last year he ran for nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns in just five games before missing the rest of the year with a broken leg.
Well, what about recruits? Dontae Strickland comes out of New Jersey, and as long as his academics are in order he should make an impact on next year’s team. Strickland seems to be a bigger pass catching threat than the other running backs the Orange has right now.
Next up is Jordan Fredericks. The incoming freshman racked up huge numbers in his senior year at Lawrence High School on Long Island. He even told the Fizz that coaches said to “learn the plays quick enough” so he can make it in a rotation with the other backs.
So, while the defense may have its question marks, and Terrel Hunt is still a bit of an unknown at QB, the running game again looks like it should be the backbone of the SU offense, and under Tim Lester it just may be.
Posted:  Seth Goldberg
4 responses to “Loaded RB Corps Should Give Syracuse Reasons for Optimism”
During the last two years I’ve praised George Morris II and Devantae MacFalane as our running backs and couldn’t understand as to why they didn’t get more carries over the last two years especially when Prince Tyson Gulley couldn’t get out of his own way.
I see George Morris as the go-to-guy gaining 1000 plus yards this year and Devantae MacFalane gaining close to that amount also Wish both of them well and hope that neither gets hurt during the season. If Dontae Strickland can get a better score on his SAT’s and become eligible to play watch out. Moving Ervin Phillips joining Brisely Estime as a slot receiver and having two tight ends in the game will cause major problems for the opposing teams. The sky will be the limit for Syracuse this year.
Ron, I couldn’t agree more. I always liked Morris for whatever reason and feel like the coaches never gave him enough playing time, but he should get it this year. I really like that Lester is heading back towards a power offense, feel like it could more closely resemble the offense from two years ago that took the team to the Pinstripe Bowl win over WV in Marrone’s last season. Erv could be huge along with a (finally) healthy Estime and Broyld that could make for a fun offense in the Dome this year.
LOADED RUNNING BACK CORP………………..
Are you for real??
Seth, in the 3 returning backs we have a total of something like 463 yards.
Wishing doesn’t make it so.
Orangeinva; Seth, in the 3 returning backs we have a total of something like 463 yards. if you don’t get into the game and get a chance to carry the ball,total statistics can be misleading. George Morris II,Devantae MacFarlane and Dontae Strickland is going to show us all just how the game should be played.
I feel Tim Lesters offense is returning Syracuse to it’s glory days Installing 2 TE’s into the game getting away from that pro style spread offense is telling me that Syracuse is going back to what they were good at back in the 80’s and 90’s. The ground game,controlling the game clock is what is going to return us to a bowl game. I wish them(the team) well for the 2015 season.