The Syracuse Orange have dealt with a ton of absences this year, from COVID opt-outs to injuries, and each has taken its toll on the product we’re watching on the field. On the defensive side, however, two names stand out above the rest: Injuries to Andre Cisco and Trill Williams have been tough to overcome. And despite providing opportunities to see younger players develop, their respective play-making abilities have been sorely missed.
We already knew that Cisco was headed to the NFL after the injured safety announced as much in October. Now, it ends up we’re losing Williams as well, after he announced his own NFL Draft decision on Wednesday.
— Trill Williams (@TrillWilliams6) November 5, 2020
Trill has been injured for the past two weeks, and though we don’t know to what extent he was set to be sidelined, it’s a sensible decision for him to forego the final four games of 1-6 campaign if he was planning to go pro no matter what. While we haven’t heard the same first/second round hype around Williams as we have around Cisco, that could also be a product of most not expecting him to declare just yet.
In three seasons at Syracuse, Trill recorded 93 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three forced fumbles, six pass break-ups, four interceptions, a fumble recovery and three touchdowns — all while only starting consistently in 2020. As a four-star prospect out of high school, he’s one of the best players SU has brought in under Dino Babers, and he’ll definitely be missed. Though we still wish him the best as he hopes to get drafted and continue raising the profile of Orange alums in the NFL.
Congrats to Trill, and thanks for so many “WOW” plays in such a short time. We’ll always have the incredible and unnecessary strip six, and this year’s bonkers lateral.
While Dino Babers has been focusing on defensive backs in most classes since arriving on campus, the position should be a priority on the transfer market this offseason now as well, with two starters off to the pros.