Syracuse Football Training Camp Position Preview: Tight End
Syracuse football is expected to kick off training camp in the next month or so with the season less than two months away. All Syracuse continues its series previewing each position headed into training camp with the tight end position.
PREVIOUS POSITION PREVIEWS
WHAT WE KNOW
Oronde Gadsden. Gadsden is going to start at tight end and be a focal point of the offense. Just as he was last season. He is more of a wide receiver than a tight end in terms of skill set and frame, but is listed as tight end by Syracuse. Gadsden lines up as a split out tight end where he creates matchup problems. Too big for a defensive back, too fast for a linebacker. Last season, Gadsden had 61 catches for 969 yards and six touchdowns.
WHAT WE DON'T
Who else? Behind Gadsden there are a bunch of question marks. Max Mang is the only one with significant playing experience. He, however, is not a big receiving threat, though is a solid blocker. The other options, David Clement, Steven Mahar and Dan Villari, have not seen consistent action (Clement is a true freshman). Mahar and Villari have been in the program and are both athletic options with potential to be receiving threats.
BIGGEST CONCERN
No one emerges behind Gadsden. Having an option other than Gadsden to be a receiving threat from the tight end position would help with depth and giving Gadsden a rest. It also takes some pressure off of him. Gadsden is going to get a bulk of the snaps, but having another option would be beneficial.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Gadsden is a matchup nightmare. Teams could not cover Gadsden last season without diverting extra attention to him. That opens things up for everyone else, including running lanes for quarterback Garrett Shrader. Simply put, Gadsden is one of the top matchup problems in the ACC and will be a major weapon for the Orange offense in 2023.
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