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Name: Eric Coley
Position: Defensive back
Year: (Redshirt) Junior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 196
Hometown: Manlius, N.Y.
High School: Fayetteville-Manlius
2019 stats: Coley was busy, appearing in all 12 games for the Orange and starting once against N.C. State when Andre Cisco was injured. In those games, he racked up 48 tackles and a pick, with at least one tackle in every game.
2020 projections: Coley will be right behind Cisco again, and continue to be a key member on special teams. In a 3-3-5, Coley will have more opportunities to see the field, especially if he has continued to improve his strength and closing speed to make solo tackles.
How’d he get here?: By choosing a college in his backyard, instead of going to Rutgers, Bowling Green, or Utah State.
What’d recruiting sites say?: 3 stars from 247 and ESPN, with Rivals not having any respect for CNY Football and a two star rating.
Money quote: Last season was a coming out season for Coley, who proved he has the talent to compete at a high D1 level and be a solid addition to the two-deep depth chart. This was not lost on Head Coach Dino Babers.
“You look at his development, it’s one of the things that you get a lot of pleasure (out of) as a coach,” Syracuse head coach Dino Babers said. “Not only his on-field development but his physical development.”
Twitter feed: @E_too_col
Tweets of wonder: LOOK AT HIS LIL BRO IN THE ORANGE HAT
Lil bro made his debut on 1/16/2019 #Crousebaby @CoachReynolds81 pic.twitter.com/i0bBCPczSL
— Eric Coley (DOBE) (@E_too_col) January 21, 2019
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: It’s cheesy as heck, but Coach Carter is many things, including the story of a son learning to play for his father even if he isn’t the biggest star of the team.
Interesting nugget o’interest: If you didn’t know yet, Coley’s stepfather is Syracuse coach Vinson Reynolds.
Let’s get a look at ya: Here comes the Boom.