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Last week, Athlon Sports released its ACC quarterback rankings for 2018, placing the Syracuse Orange’s Eric Dungey up at No. 4.
While they’re believers (like we are) in the senior’s potential, there are also obvious concerns about his health. Dungey’s yet to complete a season under center, yet has still reset records at SU — especially since Dino Babers and his up-tempo offense arrived.
Athlon followed up last week’s conference rankings with their national outlook as well on Tuesday. Skipping ahead to the player you care most about: Dungey comes in at No. 23 overall in the country.
“Syracuse has to retool its receiving corps after the departures of Steve Ishmael and Ervin Phillips, but the path to a bowl game hinges on keeping Dungey healthy. The Oregon native has missed the final three contests in each of the last three years due to injury. When healthy, Dungey is among the ACC’s top quarterbacks. In nine appearances last season, he threw for 2,495 yards and 14 scores and rushed for 595 yards and nine touchdowns.”
Dungey was No. 33 last year, according to Athlon, and despite the injury lived up to something near that in terms of production.
In terms of this year’s assessment, it’s tough to argue with the placement. While everyone understands the promise of Dungey for a full season, a failure to actually suit up for one gives some pause. Still, 2,495 passing yards and another 595 on the ground shows promise this year — especially behind what should be an improved offensive line.
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If Dungey wants to both stay healthy and best those stats, it won’t be easy. Syracuse faces yet another tough schedule, and the Orange defense is also up against quite a few top passers as well. According to Athlon’s list, here’s who they’ll play this year (Wagner excluded, since they’re an FCS team):
13. Ryan Finley, N.C. State
20. Kelly Bryant, Clemson
30. James Blackman, Florida State
43. Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame
62. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
63. Jawon Pass, Louisville
65. Kendall Hinton, Wake Forest
69. Anthony Brown, Boston College
74. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
84. Jon Wassink, Western Michigan
112. David Pindell, UConn