Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football will retain one of its starting offensive linemen from this season for the 2023 season.
Right guard Chris Bleich announced Monday via Twitter he’ll use a sixth year of eligibility to play for the Orange again next year.
It’s unclear if Bleich is the upperclassman coach Dino Babers recently said would return for another season.
Still, it’s great news for an O-line that had the potential to lose as many as four of five starters heading into next season.
Left tackle Matthew Bergeron will be moving on to the NFL, and right tackle Dakota Davis is out of eligibility.
Left guard Kalan Ellis is expected to return. Center Carlos Vettorello has not said whether he will be back after being recognized on Senior Night.
Bleich started 11 of 12 games this season, missing the 45-35 loss at Wake Forest on Nov. 19. He’s taken 682 total offensive snaps and helped pave the way for running back Sean Tucker to have another 1,000-yard rushing season.
Bleich, who underwent a pair of hip surgeries last offseason, finished the regular season with a 58.4% overall offensive grade, 65% pass-block grade and 59.6% run-block grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bleich transferred to SU from Florida in 2020 but had to sit out that due to NCAA transfer rules.
He made seven starts and eight appearances during the 2021 season before becoming a permanent starter this year. At Florida, Bleich appeared in a total of 13 games over the 2018-19 seasons.
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