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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #17, QB Rex Culpepper

The inspirational athlete begins his last season in Orange

NCAA Football: Central Connecticut State at Syracuse Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Rex Culpepper

Position: Quarterback

Year: (Redshirt) Senior

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 217 lbs

Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

High School: Plant

2019 stats: Only two games for Culpepper as the third-string quarterback in 2019, but any game time for him is impressive after overcoming cancer.

2020 projections: Culpepper should be the primary backup quarterback for the Syracuse Orange this coming season after sitting behind a few guys on the depth chart in his previous years. If we do see Culpepper on the field, ideally it means that nothing bad has happened to Tommy DeVito. However, Culpepper is the only quarterback other than DeVito with any college game experience, so his presence is vital if a situation arises.

How’d he get here?: Quite a few Power Five schools threw their hat in the ring to sign Culpepper. In-state schools Florida and Miami (FL) submitted offers as well as ACC foes Clemson, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars all around.

Money quote: Culpeper’s recovery from testicular cancer in 2018 is still inspirational to this day. His Player’s Tribune article is a fantastic read into his mindset throughout his battle. His recollection of his spring game touchdown drive is amazing as well.

“I know I said I felt run down, but when I ran into the huddle on the last drive and heard everybody cheering for me, I knew it was a moment that I’d hold onto forever. Whatever was about to come my way the next few months — that moment, even more than the touchdown I threw at the end of the game, was going to help me power through it. I have never felt more loved in my life.”

Twitter feed: No Twitter for Rex. If Instagram is your cup of tea though, he’s @rex_culpep

Tweets of wonder: It’s always great to go back and watch this video.

What movie would Dino recommend for him?: Rex Lee appeared as Lloyd Lee in HBO’s “Entourage” as an assistant and agent to Jeremy Piven’s character Ari Gold. In the 2015 movie, Lloyd is given away at his wedding by Ari.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Culpepper has a new neighbor in his hometown of Tampa. You may have heard of him (it’s Tom Brady).

Let’s get a look at ya: Another great moment to watch on repeat - his touchdown drive in the 2018 spring game.