Who will step in for departing NFL talent?
Syracuse Orange football will look a lot differently in 2025, so as we get closer to spring practice, we’ll look at some players to watch.
With the departures of Kyle McCord, LeQuint Allen, Oronde Gadsden, Jackson Meeks and others, Jeff Nixon will have a lot of production to replace on that side of the ball. Here are players on the offense we’re watching for this spring:
Mike:
- Jakhari Williams – most in house QB experience
- Rickie Collins – main QB challenger but newer to system
- Jamie Tremble – OG replacement?
- Yasin Willis – RB1 after Allen departure or part of touches-by-committee?
- O-linemen competing for three(?) spots with Washington, Reed and Bradford gone
- Receivers seem pretty set, just a matter of who synchs the best with winning QB
Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kevin:
- Jamie Tremble- can he be a threat over the middle now that Oronde Gadsden has moved on? No one should expect Tremble to be the player Gadsden was but he’s got the size and speed to help the Orange passing game.
- Yasin Willis- we saw glimpses of his running ability in his first year, but to me the bigger question is can he improve his blocking and receiving enough to be the lead back, or will this be more of job-share with Will Nixon and Jaden Hart.
- Joe Cruz- he’s been in the offensive line rotation the last two seasons playing guard and tackle. Could he be an option to take over at center?
- Zeed Haynes- we haven’t seen any news about Haynes, but he showed early last year that he was a deep threat and if he’s back up to speed, he’ll be part of a strong WR corps for the new Orange QB
Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
Dom:
- The Yasin Willis-Malachi James RB combo – with Allen’s departure, I don’t think there will be a full “RB by committee” approach but maybe coach Brown goes with Willis for more power running and someone like James to bring elite speed.
- Support behind Pena – what does the wide receiver hierarchy look like behind Syracuse’s veteran pass catcher?
- Tight end camp battle – someone needs to replace Oronde Gadsden, and both Jamie Tremble and Elijah Washington-Baker especially are young and might need to fill those shoes as fast as possible.
- Collins versus Williams – even with Collins having slightly more experience, will Syracuse’s offense evolve in 2025 and go with a more dual-threat option?
- O-line holes – broadly speaking, can Syracuse’s backups from 2024 and young talent in the cupboard fill in the gaps left behind by the departures?
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Which players on the offense are you watching for this Spring?