Syracuse S Daivon Ellison will transfer from Orange program

Late Tuesday, Syracuse Orange safety Daivon Ellison announced that he will transfer out of the football program.

Ellison, a New Jersey product, arrived in 2015, playing eight games on special teams as a freshman. As a sophomore, Antwan Cordy’s injury forced him into action at free safety, and he rose to the occasion. At 5-foot-8, he was smaller, but a reasonable facsimile for the intensity Cordy typically brings. He tallied 90 tackles in nine starts (and 12 games), earning ACC defensive back of the week honors at one point as well.

However, in 2016, he didn’t receive the same opportunities. He had just eight tackles in nine games, as younger players and (at one point) grad transfer Jordan Martin received the majority of the snaps.

That situation, among other factors, likely sparked the decision to transfer. In his note on Twitter, Ellison is gracious to the Orange fans and Scott Shafer and his staff. Without reading too much into things, Dino Babers and the current staff appear to be absent in that note.

As a junior this year, Ellison will have to sit next season and then play in 2019 unless he goes the FCS (or lower) route. Ellison is the second Syracuse DB in the last week or so to announce he will transfer. Cordell Hudson did the same, though he’ll be a graduate transfer.

Best of luck to Ellison going forward, wherever he may land.