Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse football program enters the 2021 season with its deepest roster in school history.
The NCAA’s ruling to grant players an extra year of eligibility works in Syracuse’s favor because of last year’s plethora of injuries, but who’s going to stand out this season?
Fans will have a chance to see some of their favorite players up close during an open practice during Friday’s Fan Fest at the Carrier Dome
Syracuse.com has compiled a list of players expected to be major contributors in 2021.
DT Josh Black
Few players anticipated the return of Syracuse football like defensive lineman Josh Black. Last season’s 1-10 result left a bad taste in his mouth, so he took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to strengthen the Orange’s leadership room and end his college football career on a positive note. Black started all 11 games at defensive tackle last season, totaling 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and his first collegiate interception. He’s just one part of a veteran D-line that also includes “super seniors” Kingsley Jonathan and McKinley Williams, but he’s an important piece for the Orange’s defense.
QB Tommy DeVito
Let’s talk quarterbacks. It’s the most important position in the game, and Syracuse didn’t have the best luck in that area last year due to a season-ending ankle injury to Tommy Devito. The arrival of Mississippi State transfer Garrett Shrader made the position battle more interesting, but it’s ultimately DeVito’s job to lose. DeVito has more experience with the offense, starting in 15 games since his sophomore season in 2019. He completed 48-of-96 passes for 593 yards and five touchdowns last year before getting hurt against Duke. However, as a sophomore, he threw for 2,360 yards and 19 touchdowns and completed 213 of 337 passes. Dino Babers recently said that he was starting to see “a little bit of separation” in the quarterback competition but wouldn’t name who was rising to the top. Regardless, a microscope is on DeVito and his progress this year, starting with the season opener at Ohio.
WR Taj Harris
Taj Harris is in a unique position to break a major Syracuse record this season. The junior wideout is just 1,124 yards away from Steve Ishmael’s program record of career receiving yards. Harris was named to this year’s Senior Bowl Preseason Watch List, along with the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, given to the nation’s top wide receiver. Harris earned All-ACC third-team honors last season after finishing with 58 receptions for 733 yards and five touchdowns. Dino Babers even allowed Harris the opportunity to attend the ACC’s media days last month, saying he’s earned the honor after three productive seasons. Be on the lookout for Harris’ production this season as he continues to climb the record books as the Orange’s top option at receiver.
OLB Mikel Jones
Mikel Jones, a sophomore outside linebacker, wreaked havoc on opposing offenses last season. He had a team-high four interceptions last season, while making 69 tackles, including two for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His disruptive nature has him on the Butkus Award Watch List, which honors the nation’s top linebacker. If 2020 was any indication on how Jones can make an impact on defense, he’ll either duplicate or improve his numbers from last season.
Syracuse running back Sean Tucker ran for more than 100 yards three times last season. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
RB Sean Tucker
Sean Tucker proved in 2020 as a freshman that if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. After Jarveon Howard and Abdul Adams opted out of last season, Tucker stepped in and became the Orange’s top rusher. He totaled 100-plus rushing yards three times, including his 113 yards on the ground against Notre Dame. He finished the season with 626 yards and appears to be the go-to rusher for the Orange this season, at least until Howard and Adams work their way back onto the depth chart. Tucker is also featured on the Doak Walker Award Watch List. Watch out, he could be a future star.
CB Garrett Williams
There’s no player on the Syracuse football roster being discussed in more NFL Draft conversations than Garrett Williams. The redshirt freshman defensive back emerged last season as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in the country, totaling 64 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. He even had a pick-six against former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Williams has another year to prove his draft stock this season as the team’s top defensive back with the departure of SU’s current trio of NFL defensive backs — Andre Cisco, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Trill Williams — a group he could join in the professional ranks likely sooner than later.
K Andre Szmyt
Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt is another player on this year’s roster that could break school records. The fifth-year junior is just four field goals away from the career field goals record and 44 points away from the program’s career scoring mark. Szmyt made 23-of-24 extra points and 9-of-11 field goals last season. He’s also nominated for the Lou Groza Award, which he previously won in 2018. Szmyt is poised to cement himself in Syracuse football history books.
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