Offensive Line Adjusting to New Faces
There are high hopes for the Syracuse offensive with returning experienced offensive starters. There remains one growing pain, the offensive line.
Syracuse’s offensive line returns two starters at guard, Chris Bleich and Kalan Ellis and adds new faces primarily in every other position either from the transfer portal or junior college ranks. After losing three veteran starters, training camp has looked different for the offensive line and their new leader, Coach Steve Farmer.
“The vibe is definitely different than my first two years where it was the same guys playing, but now it’s just a little bit different because those guys have left (Matthew Bergeron, Dakota Davis and Carlos Vettorello)," said left tackle Enrique Cruz. “Now it is up to the young guys who are kind of like the veterans to really step up and play.”
Last season the offensive line had a power success rate of above seventy percent, according to football outsiders. The percentage is made up of runs on third or fourth down with less than two yards to go, which result in a touchdown or first down. That puts them in the top 50 ranked schools in that category but in other areas such as sacks allowed per game there is plenty of room for improvement.
Offensive Lineman Coach Steve Farmer will be entering his 25th season of college coaching after coming from Tulsa. He will be tasked with molding the chemistry on the field between experienced players and newcomers.
Cruz went from red shirting his first year to earning a starting position the last five consecutive games of 2022. His focus during training camp has been on elevating his mental and physical approach to the game.
Specifically, on the physical side there has been a great emphasis on his technique in the running game focusing on his punch and steps. All tools that would help block and open holes for running back LeQuint Allen and Juwaun Price.
“This is year is going to be my time to shine,” said Cruz.
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