Summer is in full swing, and that can only mean one thing – another season of college football is right around the corner. As the excitement begins to grow for fans, Syracuse University Athletics is eager to welcome supporters back to their 49,250 capacity home stadium, the Carrier Dome.
The 2021-22 season will kick off on August 28th with five games, known as ‘Week 0.’ As for Syracuse, their first gridiron competition won’t be until September 4th when they take on Ohio away at Peden Stadium. This game is followed by a hefty schedule where the Orange is set to meet at Rutgers, UAlbany, and Liberty. However, because each of these competitions will take place at home in Syracuse, the college franchise is already at an advantage. At this point, their biggest competitor on the schedule has to be Clemson, winners of the 2018 Championship.
Although the Orange didn’t have as many wins last season as they had hoped, their roster full of football talent still has the potential to take them the extra mile in a new set of matchups. As fans begin analyzing expert College Football Betting Odds on all those games and more, we take a look at four specific Orange members that the opposition should have on their radar. From elite wide receivers to tight ends, fullbacks and line backers, the upcoming lineup in Syracuse is very promising.
Taj Harris
Taj Harris is a seasoned Syracuse wide receiver with three years’ worth of starting experience. The football star has set rookie records during his career, recording an impressive 40 catches for 565 yards in 2018. During his junior year, Harris accomplished another personal best when he made 13 catches in a single game. Shaking defenders comes second nature to Harris whose speed and athletic agility makes him nearly impossible to catch. To date he has had a whopping 135 career receptions.
Landon Morris
Harris may have speed, but tight end Landon Morris from La Grange Park, Illinois, is one of the most promising college rookies on the Orange’s roster. The 6-foot-6 player transferred from his high school football program at Nazareth Academy where he recorded 81 career catches for 1,456 yards as well as being honored with a First Team All-HCC selection. The freshman is a major prospect for Syracuse, and his athleticism makes him a perfect fit as far as new joiners are concerned. Having also played basketball at Nazareth, Morris clearly has broad athletic talent. When it comes to joining experienced tight ends on the line, Number 81 is more than equipped for the challenge.
Chris Elmore
Out of all the players on this list, Chris Elmore is one of the most experienced. The Chicago-born senior has been with Syracuse since his freshman year where he started in all 12 games during his debut season. Although he has been a fullback for the majority of his career, Elmore also has experience starting as a tight end and offensive lineman, perfect for times when the team needs to fill the positions due to unexpected injuries. His adaptability makes him a huge asset for the Orange and management certainly considers him one of the franchise’s core members. Elmore has already announced his decision to stay with the program going into next season, so fans can look forward to the 283 pound powerhouse bringing even more heat.
Clemson is Syracuse’s biggest competitor, having won the NCAA Championship just recently in 2018
Mikel Jones
One of Syracuse’s best all-around defensive team members, linebacker Mikel Jones, has been with the program for two years now and has already recorded a long list of impressive stats and figures. The sophomore has elite interception and takeaway ability, as well as tackle dominance, forcing fumbles during crucial gameplay moments. A defensive giant in the ACC who has already earned All-American honors, Jones is just getting started. Fans are looking forward to see how the 6-foot-1 Miami native will perform on the field this season.
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