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Former Syracuse Orange running back Jordan Fredericks is headed to the UMass Minutemen, he announced Saturday on Instagram.
Fredericks announced his transfer in early December, just a couple weeks after the season wrapped up. After leading the Orange in rushing during the 2015 season with 607 yards, he picked up just 139 (largely in garbage time) for 2016. The sophomore did not display the speed Dino Babers and the new staff seemed to demand, and also had some trouble calling out coverage and blocking at the line — a task required of all running backs in this offense.
Still, Fredericks did whatever was asked of him in 2016, and despite being relegated to late-game carries, he still played reasonably well and earned five yards per carry (ran the ball 28 times).
At UMass, he’ll have to sit out this coming season, then will be able to play for the Minutemen in 2018 and 2019 to wrap up his eligibility.
Fredericks is one of several Orange transfers to end up at FBS schools after departing during or after the 2016 season. Austin Wilson will suit up for Coastal Carolina this year, and Corey Winfield will play for West Virginia. Alryk Perry (Valdosta State), Trey Dunkelberger (Western Illinois), Tyler Cross (Butler JUCO) and Anthony Giudice (Fordham) have also found new football homes outside of the FBS ranks.