The Syracuse Orange football team continues to add to their 2017 roster as the season approaches. Scout.com reported the news that Bowling Green Falcons LB Austin Valdez will join Syracuse this Fall as a graduate transfer.
Valdez totaled 222 tackles in three years at Bowling Green, including 144 in 2015 when he was a 1st-Team All-MAC linebacker. As a graduate transfer, the 6’1” 236 pound Valdez will be eligible to play immediately at Syracuse.
He’ll join a talented group at LB and will bring experience in Brian Ward’s system. Fans might not see this as being an area of need for the Orange, but it’s important to note that last year Syracuse had games where the defense was on the field for over 100 snaps. It will be better for the Orange if Parris Bennett and Zaire Franklin are able to get a bit of rest during games.
Valdez should be able to help the defense be able to rotate players and his experience with the system can help the 2nd unit defense. With only 1 career sack at Bowling Green, don’t look for him to be involved in a pass-rushing role, but if he can provide solid tackling and coverage it will help an Orange defense which struggled down the stretch in 2016.