Syracuse Football: Get To Know Your Orange Man - #67 Justin Pugh

We're counting down every SU football player, one a day, from Chandler Jones (#99) to Phil Thomas (#1). Keep track of every player profile right here.

Next up on your Orange-Man Orientation, #67, Justin Pugh.

Position: Offensive line

Year: Junior

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 299 pounds

Hometown: Holland, PA

High School: Council Rock South

2010 Stats: Pugh started all 13 games for SU and was named All-Big East 2nd Team. He did very well, thank you.

2011 Projections: The left tackle position is Pugh's to lose, and that seems highly unlikely. In fact, I'm just going to defer to Dan's OL grade:

Pugh is commonly referred to as our best lineman, and it really showed this spring.  He went down during the 13th practice, and Andrew Phillips had to come in for him and Chandler Jones ran absolutely wild the rest of practice.  Pugh is really consistent, and still has a few years left in orange, which is pretty exciting for Doug Marrone and company.  Pugh could be looking at first team All-Big East honors, assuming his career progression continues at it's current trajectory. 

How'd He Get Here?: Pugh was the rare recruit who gave his verbal to a fired coach (Greggers) and decided to stick with the program when newbie Doug Marrone took over. Since the Orange seemed to lock him up early, he didn't have any other offers on the table.

Scouts/Rivals Said: Scout went two-stars and so did Rivals.

Money Quote: "They stuck with me, so I said I'll stick with them. And it worked out real well."- Pugh on his commitment to SU despite the coaching change.

Links of Wonder: ESPN's Brian Bennett did a profile on star-in-the-making Pugh for the Big East blog.

Doug Marrone Thinks: Marrone LOVES him some Justin Pugh: "He has great feet and balance, and he's a tough kid who's smart...Whenever friends and scouts come in to see practice, I say, 'Watch this guy. Watch his recovery ability, the way moves his feet.' Now he still has a ways to go as a player. But I guess if he's a first-year starter and is All-Big East he can flat-out play."

And here's Marrone before last season: “Justin Pugh will be a very good football player for us. I feel very, very comfortable with him playing left tackle."

Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Apropos of nothing, here's a photo of Justin & Zack Chibane eating at a buffet on a boat.

Let Us Get A Good Look Atchya: Unfortunately not too many Pugh-related videos out there. So check out this Pugh-related photo gallery instead.