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Get To Know Your Orange Man - No. 4, RB, Dontae Strickland

Get to know your (probable) starting running back, Dontae Strickland.

By Andrew Carey
Rhode Island v Syracuse Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Name: Dontae Strickland

Position: Running Back

Year: Sophomore

Height: 5’ 11”

Weight: 199 lbs.

Hometown: Dayton, N.J.

High School: South Brunswick

2015 Stats: Played in all 12 games as a true freshman for the Orange. Rushed 21 times for 81 yards and one TD. Strickland also caught nine passes for 137 yards and two TD’s, as he did fairly well for a freshman in the “hybrid” role last season.

2016 Projections: Strickland seems poised to have a very big season. He is likely going to be the starting running back for the Orange, but still expect to see a heavy dose of Jordan Fredericks. Just remember that Dino Babers offense always tries to establish the run, then spread you out at throw the ball to the edges.

Last year, Bowling Green’s running back, Travis Green, rushed for 1,298 yards and 15 TD’s. Strickland is a very comparable player to Green, so we can hope for this same production.

How’d He Get Here?: Strickland was very highly recruited in high school, spurning the likes of West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Rutgers, and others for Syracuse. Strickland came to Syracuse with fellow New Jersey native Daivon Ellison, and the two selected the Orange together.

What’d Recruiting Sites Say?: Three stars all around.

Money Quote: Strickland turned away some late interest from Georgia and remained loyal to Syracuse, but was humbled to have them reach out:

“Just seeing him perform like he did this year was just an honor in my eyes to have Georgia even give me a phone call,” Strickland said. “That was just amazing.”

Links of Wonder: Strickland opened up about living in a hotel room for part of high school in this Syracuse.com article.

Twitterfeed: @tae_strick4

Tweets of Wonder: Dontae is certainly #HumbleAndHungry.

What Does Babers Think of Him?: Obtained by Syracuse.com:

“He’s made plays. He’s a very smart individual. I think he’s going to be a heck of a football player for us in some combination with somebody else back there.”

Interesting Nugget O’Interest: Based on his twitter, he is good friends with Atlanta Falcons wide out Mohamed Sanu.

Let’s Get a Good Look Atcha: High school highlights:

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