Syracuse Football Training Camp Position Preview: Offensive Line
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 offensive line.
PREVIOUS POSITION PREVIEWS
WHAT WE KNOW
Guard spots are set. Syracuse returns both Chris Bleich and Kalan Ellis as starters from last season. Both enter camp as the starters at their respective guard spots (Bleich on the right, Ellis on the left). Ellis' spot seems to be more up for grabs than Bleich, and he could be pushed by a Jakob Bradford or a Wes Hoeh or incoming junior college transfer Lysander Moeolo. The only way that happens, is if one of those players absolutely blows the coaches away during training camp. The good news for them is that, with a new offensive line coach, the slate is essentially clean. Still, it will be tough for that to happen as both Bleich and Ellis seem entrenched in their respective spots.
WHAT WE DON'T
Who will replace experienced starters and what will Steve Farmer's impact be? Syracuse loses three veteran starters from last year's squad. Left tackle Matthew Bergeron, right tackle Dakota Davis and center Carlos Vettorello. The Orange brought in transfer tackle Joe More, transfer David Wohlabaugh and junior college prospect J'Onre Reed to compete for those spots. However, who emerges among them and returning players remains to be seen. Enrique Cruz is a former four star recruit who has been on the two deep waiting to crack the starting lineup. This is a prime opportunity for him to take that next step. He will compete with experienced incoming transfers, however, for that opportunity. Reed is a very highly regarded player and the coaches liked a ton as a JUCO transfer. The hope is that he would slide into the middle and become the new starting center. However, how that translates once he actually arrives and starts competing at this level is an unknown. Josh Ilaoa has been with the program for two years as a backup center and guard. He has been solid when inserted into the lineup. He will not be a pushover, and that battle will be fun to watch during camp. The battle at the other tackle spot likely comes down to More, Wohlabaugh, Petry and Austyn Kauhi. All will get looks, but I think More and Wohlabaugh are the favorites there.
The other big question mark is Steve Farmer, the new offensive line coach. He replaces Mike Schmidt, who did a good job for the Orange. How does he develop offensive linemen? How will he choose the starting five? Does he lean towards veteran experience, talent, or a combination? It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
BIGGEST CONCERN
Syracuse struggles to replace tackles. Tackles are the most important spots along the offensive line. They protect the quarterback and set the edge in the running game. Syracuse had veterans at each spot last season and has to replace both. What if transfers Joe More and David Wohlabaugh are not what they expected? What if no one else steps up? The concern is that the Orange does not replace Matthew Bergeron and Dakota Davis, and tackles are a weakness all season. That would really hamper the offense.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
While Syracuse loses three veteran starters, the Orange did a good job this offseason of replacing them with experienced players. Joe More has over 40 starts from his time at Richmond. David Wohlabaugh has started at the SEC level. Junior college players J'Onre Reed and Lysander Moeolo have played a lot of post high school football. Enrique Cruz, Josh Ilaoa and others have seen snaps at Syracuse. Veteran starters Kalan Ellis and Chris Bleich return. Syracuse does not have to turn to freshmen to replace its veterans. It will be doing so with other veterans.
SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE
SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT
JOIN THE ALL SYRACUSE FORUMS FOR FREE AND DISCUSS THE ORANGE WITH OTHER FANS AND OUR STAFF
