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Just when we thought we were done with Syracuse Orange football changes for the day/week, it ends up the team's roster update revealed more new pieces of information.
As Syracuse.com's Stephen Bailey confirmed with Syracuse Athletics:
WR Ben Lewis and OL Alex Hayes are no longer members of the Syracuse football team, per SU Athletics
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) February 19, 2016
Bailey tells us that Hayes was released from the team due to a violation of team rules. He'd participated in four games over the past three years. There was a chance he'd be in line for a starting job this fall given the departing seniors from last year's offensive line.
Lewis, on the other hand, left of his own accord. The often-injured but effective receiver/hybrid would've been a redshirt senior this fall. He leaves Syracuse with 12 rushing yards, 490 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He'll be eligible to play elsewhere immediately (I'd keep an eye on the schools where Scott Shafer and his staff landed), unless his reason for leaving is injury-related.
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It's not great to lose players at wide receiver or offensive line, to be honest. The team was going to be utilizing a lot of youth at both spots and now, even more so with two veteran players out the door. Lewis's departure, particularly, may mean Moe Neal sees the field this fall based on need alone.
Lewis and Hayes join Qaadir Sheppard and Amir Ealey as players that have departed (by their choice or otherwise) since Dino Babers took over.