So Goes Averin Collier: Academically-Ineligible RB Leaves Syracuse

by Sean Keeley on Dec 9, 2010 11:11 PM EST

In December of 2007, I praised Greg Robinson. I remember it clearly because it happened so few times. Specifically, I was impressed by Gregger's ability to attract two four-star recruits to come play at Syracuse at the height of the program's misery.

Those recruits were Marcus Sales, rated the 27th-best WR in the nation, and Averin Collier, rated the 10th-best RB in the nation.

Next year will be their senior seasons. Sales will likely remain a sometimes-role player on the WR depth chart long passed over by younger talent. As for Collier, whatever he's doing he won't be wearing orange while doing it. Academically-ineligible for 2010, Collier has official left the team and will not return in 2011.

Collier, a third-year tailback from Rochester, missed the 2010 season due to what the school described as academic issues but was enrolled in school for the fall semester and returned to practice after missing preseason camp. He played the role of scout team tailback for most of the season but was absent toward the end of November, raising concerns about his status.

This evening, head coach Doug Marrone addressed those concerns by announcing that Collier is no longer part of the program. Marrone refused to discuss the issue further, adhering to a policy he established upon his arrival of not publicly talking about a player who is no longer on the team.

What does it say of the way Sales and Collier have ended up? Is it an indictment of the Rivals/Scout rating system? Is it an indictment on Greg Robinson as a recruiter? Is it an indictment on the work ethic of both players? Some of them? All of the above?

The move is puzzling. As Dave Rahme notes, Collier was a good student in high school. If it's an issue of playing time, Collier was likely going to see a lot of it next year.

Now? The Orange are left with two running backs with any experience (Antwon Bailey & Prince-Tyson Gulley). Expect Jerome Smith to become a lot more important when he returns as well.

The hard truth is that, even if he had returned, Collier would have likely fallen short of expectations. Antwon Bailey arrived at SU the same year as Collier and, despite being rated well below Averin, surpassed him on the depth chart early on.

Collier did work with the scout team during early practices this season. He stopped showing up towards the end of November. And now he's gone.

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well

we have a lot of speed guys, but we are really going to miss DC3s power running. Hopefully we can land a big JUCO full back or something to pound it up the middle and pick up blockers or Nassib is in for a rough year

by ryanwk628 on Dec 9, 2010 11:51 PM EST reply actions

This sucks

I had big hopes for this kid, especially after that huge run against Rutgers. This policy of Marrone’s is infuriating, although considering how coaches like Saban lie about people leaving to protect their image, it’s a very honorable policy. I think that Sales redeemed himslef though the second half of the season. He was the most reliable receiver the last three weeks. With a renewed sense of purpose coming into his senior year he could easily be starting or the third very quickly.

"Stop the run to earn the right to rush the passer"- great philosophy from new SU DLine coach Jimmy Brumbaugh.

by bigbluethruandthru on Dec 10, 2010 12:07 AM EST reply actions

Heh

I was thinking the same thing, re: Marrone’s policy. It drives me nuts (because it always leaves us with more questions than answers), but it probably is for the best. Sure, it leaves us curious, but it probably protects the integrity of the program, so I can’t really argue with it.

"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998

by kotite4ever on Dec 10, 2010 8:11 AM EST up reply actions

I vote ratings systems

They’re a joke. There’s no way some dude sitting in his mom’s basement 2000 miles away knows how good a Rochester RB or a Syracuse WR is going to be.

Where a player ends up often affects their star rating. Trevor Cooney’s went up on one site after he verballed with Syracuse. That happens all the time with major football programs as well.

by zibby on Dec 10, 2010 7:40 AM EST reply actions

The Ratings System. ug

It all seems extremely relative and subjective. Is there an actual equation they use? Cause it seems like dart throwing…..hes…a…….…3 star!

I would say when you’re comparing Div 1 college to college players you’re getting a much more accurate comparison in terms of how they would do in the NFL, cause Id say its really hard to compare a good high school player to the other crappy players on the field in trying to judge how they’d do in college.

by Pinker on Dec 10, 2010 9:04 AM EST reply actions

There's a very strong statistical correllation

Between high recruiting rankings and making all-conference teams, making all-America teams, and being drafted highly. Of course there are going to be four-star busts and two-stars that become elite college and pro players (and far more of the latter, because there are so many more two-stars than four-stars). But all things being equal, I’d rather have the four-stars.

by drothgery on Dec 10, 2010 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

yeah but

it always seems like the four star guys we wind up with turn out to be complete busts on the field/in the classroom/if they ever even make it to campus at all. Amongst the last dozen or so four star guys to commit to Syracuse, Carter and Hogue are the only guys I can recall that have actually turned in solid college careers. Seems to me like we have just as much luck (if not more) with the 2 and 3 star guys as we do with 4 star guys.

GO ORANGE

by bloodyyank44 on Dec 10, 2010 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

crazy

I’m from Rochester and had big hopes for this kid. I saw his career progress through high school and he was a beast. He tore up every single defense he saw. Wish him all the best in whatever he does.

LET'S GO BUFFALO!!!!!!!

by BenAllen on Dec 10, 2010 9:38 AM EST reply actions

Nothing sadder than wasted talent.

by DanteAmore on Dec 10, 2010 10:43 AM EST reply actions

This sucks but it is what it is

Even though Bailey had passed up Collier on the depth chart, you have to believe Carter, Bailey and Collier all would have seen a lot of playing time this year given the injuries and lack of depth. Plus going into this year he had, what, 3 years of eligibility remaining? He had all the tools and plently of time to be a great college running back…maybe just wasn’t college material in the classroom though…

GO ORANGE

by bloodyyank44 on Dec 10, 2010 11:10 AM EST reply actions

The hard truth is that, even if he had returned, Collier would have likely fallen short of expectations. Antwon Bailey arrived at SU the same year as Collier and, despite being rated well below Averin, surpassed him on the depth chart early on.

Collier was injured when he arrived to campus, I think this opened to door for Bailey to move up, esp considering that Bailey turned out to be helluva lot better than we all expected. Marrone also seemed to always have high praise for Collier on the practice field, and his name was always in the discussion along with Carter and Bailey. So he may not have panned out as the 10th best RB recruit in the nation, but I think he would have been readyfor some serious playing time next year. Can’t say I feel as confident about our RB situation with him gone…but it is what it is.

GO ORANGE

by bloodyyank44 on Dec 10, 2010 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Here is to hoping

The A-Train gets some backup this year. I know we have a verbal RB commit and are casting the net for a couple more, and Im hoping both PT Gulley and Jerome Smith, the freshman that was out injured this year can really step it up.

by Pinker on Dec 10, 2010 3:03 PM EST reply actions