Could Miami running back transfer Gus Edwards be heading to Syracuse?

On Wednesday, the Miami Hurricanes announced that running back Gus Edwards would seek a transfer to another program. Edwards is a fifth-year senior, so would be able to suit up right away. In 35 games at Miami, he rushed for 977 yards on 186 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns. Edwards had 290 yards rushing in 2016, serving largely as a backup to Joseph Yearby.

Edwards’s transfer is significant for the Syracuse Orange because he’s a Staten Island native (Tottenville High School) who was once committed to SU in 2013. He flipped his commitment shortly before National Signing Day then, picking Miami over Florida State (and the Orange).

Syracuse could obviously use the help at running back, should Edwards decide to head back to his home state to continue his career. Last year, the Orange rushed for just 1,435 yards -- 115th in the entire country. Leading rusher Dontae Strickland (who hadn’t played at running back in years) had just 566 yards on the season.

Edwards could potentially help offset Strickland and/or Moe Neal at the running back spot, providing some size to counter the shiftier running styles of the two smaller ball-carriers. The former three-star recruit stands at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, which is much more in line with the type of runner this offense needs between the tackles to draw in defenses.

He hasn’t indicated where he’ll go just yet, but one can assume he’s at least on the Orange’s radar (and they’re likely on his).

We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. If he were to report for spring, he’d already be a late enrollee. Edwards is the latest Miami skill player to announce his departure from the U. QB Brad Kaaya and the aforementioned Yearby have already declared for the draft.

Some past highlights of Edwards included below, for those interested: