Syracuse football updates 2018 roster for spring practice

The Syracuse Orange football program has updated its roster to reflect all changes for 2018 spring practice. Most notable is the absence of offensive tackle Liam O’Sullivan, who has been disqualified due to concussions. CuseNation was first to report the news of O’Sullivan’s DQ.

The would-be redshirt sophomore played as a reserve and member of the special teams unit in the first six games of 2017. O’Sullivan recorded two knockdown blocks in that stretch. We wish him the best of luck going forward.

Walk-on linebacker Adam Dulka is also no longer on the roster, having joined Kent State along with former Orange OC/QB coach Sean Lewis. Fellow walk-on, defensive back Anthony Lombardi, transferred to Sacred Heart in December. Long snapper Nathan Hines is also no longer on the roster (the walk-on had one year of eligibility remaining), nor is tight end Joe Pasquale.

Along with the two departures are some position changes as well. Allen Stritzinger switched from running back to defensive back, while Josh Black (defensive tackle) and Kielan Whitner (linebacker) are officially listed at the spots they inhabited in 2017 following their own position changes last offseason. Sophomore Chris Elmore remains at fullback, yet is also listed at D-line -- a position of need for SU, and where he was primarily recruited to play coming out of high school.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Some players changed uniform numbers from 2017 to 2018, but most number changes are due to incoming players. The list of both changes and newly-issued numbers for the 2018 recruiting class include:

Changes

• No. 10, P/K Sterling Hofrichter (from 35)
• No. 54, OL Austin Chandler (from 66)
• No. 84, WR K.K. Hahn (from 80)

New Numbers

• No. 16, QB Chance Am
• No. 19, DB Andre Cisco
• No. 20, DB Cam Jonas
• No. 23, RB Abdul Adams
• No. 30, LB Juan Wallace
• No. 46, LB Lakiem Williams
• No. 50, LS Aaron Bolinsky
• No. 83, WR Kevin Johnson Jr.
• No. 86, WR Trishton Jackson
• No. 90, K/P Cory Smigel

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

As alluded to above, the typical weight changes were also recorded on the roster, and some players showed considerable movement from 2017 to the present day. The biggest gainer was Josh Black, who gained 38 pounds from 250 last year. Kendall Coleman (240 to 265), Zach Morton (220 to 243) and Dakota Davis (315 to 335) were the other players to gain 20 or more.

Eric Dungey put on six, and is now up to 228, which hopefully helps further cushion him from potential hits. Looking at the running backs: Moe Neal is up another five pounds to 187, while Dontae Strickland’s stood pat at 207. Markenzy Pierre gained two pounds from last year to weigh in at 216. No matter which side of the ball he’s playing, Elmore is going to be even tougher of an assignment, now weighing in at 289 pounds.

Anything else catch your eye with this roster change? For those tracking at home, O’Sullivan’s departure also leaves SU with 80 scholarship players for 2018 (out of a possible 85).