Don’t assume it’s because they don’t like what they have
The Syracuse Orange coaching staff continues to explore ways to strengthen the football roster as we head into the 2024 season.
One of the ways appears to be adding more options in the quarterback room. Last weekend, the Orange hosted Pitt transfer (and former Syracuse target) Christian Viellieux before he decided to commit to Georgia State.
The next opportunity is the best opportunity! Let’s go to work! @DellMcGee @RWi11iams pic.twitter.com/DfQMaqVEIp
— Chr1st1an Vei11eux (@VeilleuxQB11) May 1, 2024
Last night we learned that the Orange have offered an opportunity to former Alabama (and Vanderbilt) walk-on QB Blake Jarrett. With the current scholarship situation, this could be a PWO spot.
After a great phone conversation with Coach Nixon I am honored to have received an offer to continue my football journey at Syracuse University! Huge thank you to @CoachNixon_Cuse and @CuseFootball ! pic.twitter.com/urdDSI9frO
— Blake Jarrett (@blake_c_jarrett) May 2, 2024
A number of Syracuse fans take this as a sign that the staff isn’t happy with the options behind Kyle McCord, which may be the case. We’ve seen too many recent Syracuse seasons spiral out of control when the starter goes down, so all of us would like a bit more optimism if McCord missed any time next Fall. There is another angle that is worth considering with these offers, so let’s discuss.
McCord is finishing his eligibility this fall so we know Syracuse will need a new starter in 2025. If the staff can bring in a player now, they get them in the system and can evaluate them all summer and fall. This gives them a better idea of how aggressive they would need to be in the portal heading into 2025. Instead of having to rely on film, they would have the opportunity to see all of the younger quarterbacks in practices and watch how they operate on and off the field.
Right now the Orange would have Carlos Del-Rio Wilson, Braden Davis, Jakhari Williams, and 2025 commit Luke Carney as scholarship options in the spring. The current landscape of college football would indicate at least one of those players is likely to transfer in the spring and the opportunity to evaluate them before the portal opens again would give the staff, and players, more information to make their decisions.
McCord’s presence makes it unlikely that Syracuse can keep a quarterback like Veilleux from bypassing a starting job elsewhere, but as we’ve seen the last few months, Fran Brown’s not afraid to swing big and he’s also not afraid to load up at a position and let the players battle it out.