Syracuse Football Training Camp Position Preview: Linebacker
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 linebacker position.
PREVIOUS POSITION PREVIEWS
WHAT WE KNOW
Syracuse has two top tier starters in Marlowe Wax and Stefon Thompson. In his last full season (2021), Thompson recorded 79 tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. Wax had 91 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick last year. Both are dynamic, impactful, playmaking linebackers who give the Orange one of the better groups in the ACC.
WHAT WE DON'T
Who will be the third? Several players rotated in for Syracuse last season after Thompson went down with an injury. Kadin Bailey, Derek McDonald, Leon Lowery and Anwar Sparrow were some of the main contributors. Look for each to be in the mix to earn that third linebacker spot to join Wax and Thompson in the starting lineup. Still, entering training camp, that spot is very much up in the air. It should be an interesting competition to monitor.
BIGGEST CONCERN
Stefon Thompson is not the same after recovering from injury. Thompson has been a dynamic linebacker since joining the Orange. He has speed, physicality, athleticism and instincts. He suffered a season ending injury in week one last year, however. How has that injury affected him, if at all? That is the biggest question entering training camp. If Thompson is even close to his pre-injury form, all is well. But if there are any lingering issues or it impacts one of those aforementioned traits, that would be a significant concern entering the 2023 season.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Depth. The Orange is very deep at linebacker with young talent, veterans and experience. Wax and Thompson have played a lot of football for Syracuse. Youngsters such as Kadin Bailey, Derek McDonald, Anwar Sparrow, Leon Lowery, Austin Roon and Mekhi Mason have all played. Incoming players like Zyian Moultrie-Goddard provide more depth. Obviously losing Mikel Jones hurts, but Syracuse is well positioned to replace him with its depth.
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