Breaking: DB Ben Labrosse leaves Syracuse football program

The hits just keep coming for the Syracuse Orange football program in 2021. After losing to Rutgers Saturday, a team spokesperson confirmed that Free Safety Ben Labrosse has left the football program. It is unclear at this time if this was due to non-football reasons.

LaBrosse came to the Orange via Canada, and was forced into action last season like most underclassman, performing well enough to come into camp as the odds on favorite to start at one of the safety positions. After starting in the Syracuse win over Ohio, LaBrosse saw most of the snaps in that game go to New Mexico transfer Jason Simmons. LaBrosse did not see the field this past Saturday in the loss.

The defensive back joins Arizona State offensive line transfer Cody Shear and freshman tight end Landon Morris in leaving the program, and LaBrosse’s name is not appearing the transfer portal at this time, according to Stephen Bailey.

The loss is not ideal for the Orange. While Simmons has performed well in a defensive unit that is showing improvement, LaBrosse was still just a freshman and would have provided plenty of depth this season, ultimately competing for a starting spot next season if Simmons was truly becoming the consistent starter for 2021. As we’ve seen in past seasons, that kind of experienced depth can help keep the wheels on a defense when injuries strike, and LaBrosse would have provided plenty of stability with his experience from 2020.

Things continue to spiral for the Orange this year, and a win against Albany will only quell things for a short time as Syracuse will need to stay healthy before closing out their non-conference slate against Liberty the following week.