Syracuse Orangemen
Defensive Analysis
It'll be a work in progress as several inexperienced players need to play key roles right away. The secondary will be fine if the corners can develop early, and the outside linebackers will be among the best in the conference. The line was hammered by graduation and could use some good early play from the tackles. If Diamond Ferri doesn't have any issues with his legal troubles, the safeties will be tremendous.
Star of the defense: Senior SS Diamond Ferri
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior DTs Kader Drame and Eugene Brown
Unsung star on the rise: Junior CB Thomas Whitfield
Best pro prospect: Sophomore LB Kelvin Smith
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Ferri, 2) FS Anthony Smith, 3) LB Kellen Pruitt
Strength of the defense: Safety, outside linebacker
Weakness of the defense: Defensive line
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Julian Pollard, Sr. - Pollard has been a key backup over the last two years making 33 tackles. He hasn't shown much year as a pass rusher needing to quickly become a regular in the backfield replacing Josh Thomas.
- Defensive tackle Kader Drame, Jr. - The former offensive tackle has 21 career stops in a limited role over the last two years. Now it'll be his job to replace Louis Gachelin in the middle.
- Nose tackle Eugene Brown, Jr. - It'll be trial by fire for the 284-pound Brown as he tries to replace Christian Ferrara and his 62 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss on the nose. He only played in one game last year and didn't make a tackle.
- Defensive end James Wyche, Jr. - The only returning starter to the line, Wyche needs to become a bigger playmaker. He's 6-5 and 264 pounds with outstanding speed, but he hasn't gotten into the backfield enough with only 3.5 career sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He also has 77 career tackles.
Top Backups
- DE Ryan LaCasse, Jr. - LaCasse, a former running back, has been a key backup for the last two years with 34 career tackles. He didn't do much as a pass rusher last year, but he'll get every chance to do more than play special teams backing up James Wyche on the left side.
- DT Tony Jenkins, RFr. - He's a big, smart player in the middle needing a little bit of time and experience to grow into a key reserve. The 278-pound redshirt freshman will combine with JUCO transfer Mike Sklarosky on the nose behind Eugene Brown.
- DE Cornelius Campbell Jr., RFr. - One of the more interesting prospects on the line, the 275-pound Campbell Jr. is a pass rusher in the body of a tackle. He'll be pushing for time behind Julian Pollard on the right side.
The Skinny: This could be one of the team's biggest trouble spots if
things don't come around in a hurry. There's only one returning starter and
little overall experience. James Wyche has to become a pass rushing factor
or else it could take a while before any pressure is generated. The tackles
will be decent with a little bit of time.
Player to keep an eye on: Kader Drame ... Defensive Line Rating: 5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Kelvin Smith, Soph. - The nephew of former SU star Keith Bulluck is becoming a strong linebacker on his own making 68 tackles last year taking over for an injured Jameel Dumas. He has great all-around skills and a fine nose for the ball on the strong side; he'll be an All-Big East star in time.
- Jerry Mackey, Soph. - It'll be up to Mackey and Kellen Pruitt to try and replace Rich Scanlon in the middle. The 248-pound sophomore only made three tackles as a freshman, but he has the strength and instincts to be a force in the middle.
- Kellen Pruitt, Jr. - Pruitt came up with a huge season on the weakside making 96 tackles and eight tackles for loss to go along with three interceptions. He's fast enough to once again be a force on the outside, but he might end up moving to the middle to use his experience and tackling ability.
Top Backups
- Luke Cain, Soph - Cain is still trying to make an impact at linebacker after switching over from safety. He made two tackles on special teams last year; he'll battle for time on the strongside this season.
- Tommy Harris, Jr. - Harris, a former defensive end, can play either of the outside linebacker positions starting off this year backing up Kelvin Smith on the strongside.
- Troy Swittenburg, Sr. - Someday he'll find a spot. Swittenburg has played running back and safety, and now he'll push for time at weakside linebacker coming off a 40 tackle season.
The Skinny: This could end up being a fantastic group if a replacement
is found for Rich Scanlon and his 147 tackles in the middle. Kelvin Smith
and Kellen Pruitt have All-Big East potential on the outside, but the corps
will take a hit if Jerry Mackey can't get the job done in the middle and Pruitt
has to move inside.
Player to keep an eye on: Jerry Mackey ... Linebacker Rating: 7
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Tanard Jackson, Soph. - A special teamer last year, Jackson made five tackles. Now he has to become a top playmaker on the corner getting the star on the left side.
- Free safety Anthony Smith, Jr. - Smith has been a major player for the Orangemen secondary over the last two years with 137 total tackles making 106 last year to go along with five interceptions. He's an All-Big East caliber player with big playmaking talent.
- Strong safety Diamond Ferri, Sr. - Ferri developed into a star at strong safety after seeing time as a running back earlier in his career. He's the team's leading returning tackler making 120 stops last year showing fantastic range looking like a natural. The concern is over his off-the-field problems after he was charged with assault and resisting arrest after breaking a man’s nose.
- Cornerback Thomas Whitfield, Jr. - Whitfield turned into a strong corner after playing mostly on special teams as a freshman. He's a good special teams player, but he's more valuable in the defensive backfield making 43 tackles and picking off a pass last year.
Top Backups
- Cornerback Terrell Lemon, Soph. - Lemon had a good freshman season showing great promise making 12 tackles as a reserve. He's one of the fastest players on the team with tremendous athleticism. He'll combine with Marcus Clayton as the backup on the left side.
- Strong safety O'Neil Scott, Sr. - A former starter, Scott has seen his role diminish only making 11 tackles last year, mostly on special teams, after a 61 stop season in 2002. He's a good reserve to have in the mix and could end up starting if Diamond Ferri's legal troubles keep him off the field.
- Free safety Reggie McCoy, RFr. - He might be inexperienced, but he has the athleticism to be a factor right away in the secondary. He'll play behind Anthony Smith.
- Cornerback Donte Williams, Jr. - The JUCO transfer didn't do too much last year seeing a little bit of time at corner. Now he'll battle redshirt freshman Lenny Carter, a former receiver, for the spot behind Thomas Whitfield on the right side.
The Skinny: The secondary improved last year from the horrible performance
of 2002, but things could still be far tighter. The corners are very raw,
while safety will be a concern if Diamond Ferri's off-the-field issues carry
over into the season. This crew can use as much time as it can get.
Player to keep an eye on: Thomas Whitfield ... Secondary Rating: 5.5
Special Teams
- Placekicker Collin Barber, Sr. - The second-team All-Big East selection nailed 12 of 16 field goals last year, but didn't show much range beyond 40 yards. He's a steady kicker who should be one of the most reliable in the conference.
- Punter Brendan Carney, Soph. - Carney earned second-team All-Big East honors with a tremendous season averaging 43 yards per kick putting 18 inside the 20. While it wasn't necessarily his fault, he had five kicks blocked.
The Skinny: The kicking game should be the best in the Big East with
Collin Barber and Brendan Carney forming a strong tandem. Steve Gregory will
take over for Johnnie Morant as the main kickoff returner, while Marcus Clayton
returns to bring back punts after averaging 10.1 yards last year. The punt
coverage unit was atrocious allowing 13.8 yards per return.
Special Teams Rating: 7.5
