When Dino Babers arrived as head coach of the Syracuse Orange football program, he said wanted to be fast, then told us #OrangeIstheNewFast — even if the latter hashtag never really made much sense.
Since then, Syracuse has shortened that to #OITNF, talked about going #Faster and then scrapped the hashtag altogether. Regardless of the hashtag changes, the goal’s always been the same: to get faster and better as a program.
Syracuse.com’s Nate Mink wrote about just how much SU’s picked up the speed since Babers’s arrival, and you might be surprised to know that 17 players on the roster right now run a 40-yard dash at 4.6 seconds or faster. When Babers arrived, that number was four.
Definitely read the whole post to see the rest of the data and coach/player insights Mink dives into. That, plus the rest of your Syracuse-related links below:
How much faster has Syracuse football gotten under Dino Babers? (Syracuse.com)
There’s reason to project as much. Carl Jones was among the fastest players on the team as a freshman, running in the 4.4s. He turned heads this offseason running a blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash. “Every year we have to get better,” senior receiver Sean Riley said. “We can’t stay the same. Everybody is getting stronger in the weight room. We’ve done a lot more running this spring.
Syracuse football FB/TE Chris Elmore to undergo surgery for lower-body injury (Syracuse.com)
Syracuse football fullback/tight end Chris Elmore will undergo surgery for a lower-body injury on Tuesday evening, head coach Dino Babers said. Elmore, a junior, went down during the open portion of practice a week ago after catching a pass during routes vs. air. He left the Ensley Athletic Center that day using a crutch and wearing a wrap on his knee. He was in the same condition at practice on Tuesday.
Brent Axe on Syracuse’s situation around Jim Boeheim’s eventual retirement (Twitter)
Same may take issue with his cemented status, but there’s no reason to sound alarms. That said, the guy is 74. John Wildhack has to think year-to-year at this point and have a working list of who to chase when Boeheim does go. I hope that Wildhack, or whomever is in his chair when the call has to be made, doesn’t simply hand the job to Gmac or Autry. That’s what Boeheim will want, but Wildhack has to keep an open mind. That isn’t a slight on either of those two, it’s just common sense.
Syracuse football recruiting: 2019 QB Drew Gunther commits as preferred walk-on (Syracuse.com)
Lynch went out to Malvern Prep to watch Gunther in April 2018, Gueriera said, but didn’t extend an opportunity. Given SU’s current quarterback situation -- redshirt freshman Chance Amie transferred out and there is no proven backup to Tommy DeVito -- adding another arm makes more sense.
Think you need NBA talent to win an NCAA title? Here’s seven decades of evidence to prove it (The Athletic)
It’s extremely rare to win the national title with only one or two future NBA players, but Anthony and Warrick were aided by at least seven other future pros: freshman G Gerry McNamara, senior G Kueth Duany, freshman PG Billy Edelin, sophomore C Craig Forth, sophomore G Josh Pace, junior F Jeremy McNeil and freshman F Matt Gorman.
Syracuse University to raise tuition (CNYCentral)
Syracuse’s ability to capitalize off free position attempts helps in close games (Daily Orange)
SEC could soon challenge ACC for crown... in basketball (Greenville News)
Syracuse targets in the 2021 Top 247 (CuseNation)
EDSBS Charity Bowl 2019: Day three update (Every Day Should Be Saturday)