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Name: Sam Heckel
Position: Offensive Guard/Center
Year: (Redshirt) Sophomore
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 294
Hometown: Waukesha, Wisc.
High School: Waukesha West High School
2017 stats: Heckel stepped in and got 12 starts at the left guard spot for the injured Aaron Roberts. The freshman was an all around solid contributor to both the run and pass game for the Syracuse Orange.
2018 expectations: With Roberts back, there are basically two options for Sam, now that both Roberts and Evan Adams are healthy. If Aaron Servais wins the tackle spot over Mike Clark, Heckel will be the de-facto starting center. If Servais stays in the interior, Heckel will basically be the first man in at any of the interior line positions. He’s going to get a ton of snaps either way and be a quality piece of what should be a solid offensive line group.
How’d he get here?: Heckel had a whole host of offers his senior year including Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois and New Mexico. He led his team to a state final appearance and decided on the Orange in June of 2015, as one of Baber’s earliest commits.
What was he rated: Three stars, per ESPN he was the No. 48 O-Line recruit in his class.
Money Quote: Speaking of versatility, here’s Heckel discussing that last year —
“Coach is really trying to create versatility so we can all play various positions. We’re all bonding together, becoming a group, and we’re all just working hard in the film room together. We’re just trying to be together.”
Twitter: @sheckle_75
Tweets of wonder: Hobnobbing with greatness. Heckel works heavily with Uplifting Athletes, a cause championed by former Nunes All-Star Punter Rob Long.
Congrats to @RobLong47 & @SU_Uplifting on receiving this year’s @SyracuseU Orange Circle Award! We are inspired daily by your efforts to help those in the rare-disease community pic.twitter.com/6deLKnRy9q
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) March 29, 2018
What movie would Dino recommend?: So last year we thought it was good idea to go with Hulk as the option. This year I’m correcting it to the version that sucks significantly less, The Incredible Hulk with Ed Norton. There’s still a Sam connection, as the doctor who “creates” Banner/Hulk is Sam Stearns... There’s no fancy “The General” nickname though, so take it as you will.
Interesting nugget o’Interest: In Wisconsin fashion, the Waukesha area has produced a ton of football talent, including the Watt brothers, Derek Watt, J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt.
Let’s get a look at you: