After former Syracuse Orange wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo went undrafted in 2017, SU fans were confused.
The Maryland transfer set school and league records, used his size to his advantage and looked the part of an NFL receiver in many ways. But there were concerns about his one true year of production in college (with the Orange), and his hands at times. He wound up on trying to make the Jacksonville Jaguars — Saint Doug strikes again! However, he’d end up moving on to the New York Giants last year.
Since then, it appears he’s been making a big impression on offensively-challenged Big Blue and is now pushing to make the roster this summer. SB Nation’s Big Blue View has been covering his progress quite a bit, and included a bold prediction today that he’d end up the team’s third-leading receiver this season.
That may be going out on a limb, but for Etta-Tawo’s sake (and the Giants’, really), I hope this ends up coming to fruition. Best of luck making the team, Amba!
The rest of your Syracuse-related links are below:
BBV round table: Bold predictions for the Giants (Big Blue View)
He has the ability to get open deep and he’s a better route runner than the “deep threat” label would give him credit for. In the 2017 draft class, Etta-Tawo was third in Target Yards Added, a metric I created in an attempt to separate college wide receivers from their quarterbacks — basically what does the receiver add to the offense.
Top Syracuse football training camp battles to watch (247Sports)
Over the past two to three seasons, there has been a significant drop off and the play on the field has proven that. The 2018 season could be different, however. Enter redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito, who is the most hyped quarterback prospect Syracuse has had in what seems like decades.
Syracuse LS Matt Keller recovering from broken ankle (Syracuse.com)
Keller broke his ankle while off campus during the offseason, per SU Athletics. The injury is not expected to be season-ending. If Keller isn’t ready to return in time for the team’s season opener at Western Michigan on Aug. 31, SU could wind up starting true freshman walk-on Aaron Bolinsky, the only other long snapper on roster.
Notes from Julian Whigham after first two practices (Twitter)
Another note on the wideouts, I’m predicting Nykeim Johnson to be an Irv/Bris type of player w/ similar production. played in the slot his first season and has worked on the outside based on media availability. He’s run the most precise routes & shown the most natural hands at WR (view full thread)
Two ACC teams land inside top 10 of first 2018 Coaches Poll (ACC Sports)
The first Coaches Poll of the 2018 college football season is out. Four ACC teams land in the poll, including two inside the top 10. Here’s a quick look, with few surprises — two teams from the Atlantic, and two from the Coastal. No. 2 Clemson, No. 8 Miami, No. 17 Virginia Tech, No. 19 Florida State
Nike will outfit the Clemson Tigers through 2022 in $23M deal (Portland Business Journal)
Breaking down Carmelo Anthony’s record-breaking Olympic performance (Sporting News)
A new college football kickoff rule has people talking (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Long list of impact transfers in high school basketball (MaxPreps)