Syracuse Football Training Camp Position Preview: Defensive Tackle
Syracuse football is expected to kick off training camp in the next few weeks or so with the season less than two months away. All Syracuse continues its series previewing each position headed into training camp with the defensive tackle position.
PREVIOUS POSITION PREVIEWS
WHAT WE KNOW
Kevon Darton is under appreciated. The former walk-on was the second defensive tackle on the depth chart to start last season, but became the primary guy due to injury. Syracuse was thin at tackle in 2022, and Darton filled in admirably throughout, playing a lot of snaps and becoming a consistent figure in the middle of the defensive line. The coaching staff absolutely loves Darton, who will again be a key cog in the rotation this season. Darton does not have eye popping stats nor does he make flashy plays. That can lead to many not appreciating what he does each play. He is a really solid block eater who is consistent and trusted.
WHAT WE DON'T
Who will provide depth behind Darton and Lockett? Syracuse brought in Braylen Ingraham to compete with Darton and Lockett as the starters as well as to provide depth as the Orange likes to rotate its linemen. However, he has played limited football since going to Alabama out of high school, largely due to injury. Behind him, Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff saw time last season after Lockett went down but is still developing. Belizaire Bassette saw action in four games last season. Syracuse needs more depth than it had last season, and the development of players like Ingraham, Fuentes-Cundiff and Bassette will determine how much it has.
BIGGEST CONCERN
Syracuse struggles to stay healthy again. What if Ingraham does not recover from the injuries that led him to leave Alabama? What if neither Fuentes-Cundiff nor Bassette can be a consistent player? What if Lockett or someone else gets hurt again? If the entire defensive tackle position stays healthy, Syracuse should feel comfortable with what they have. But if one or two goes down, it is last season all over again where the Orange was really undermanned in the last half of the season.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Quality starters. Before Lockett went down with a season ending injury last season, he was playing good football. Darton was solid with Lockett and after Lockett was out. Those two are a solid duo that can compete at the ACC level. If Ingraham can stay healthy, that could be a strong trio in the middle of the defensive line. Even with those questions about the depth, Syracuse has a strong base to build around if it can stay healthy.
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