And we tell you who we think will emerge in the 2nd half
The Syracuse Orange sit at 5-1 at the halfway point of the season, so it’s a good time for us to look back at the first six games and ahead at the remaining six.
Who or what has been the biggest surprise of the 2024 season so far? What player will take on a bigger role in the second half of the season?
Kevin: Jackson Meeks and Devin Grant
I’ll be honest. I thought Meeks was brought in to help instill Fran Brown’s culture and be a contributor to special teams, but watching him take on an important role in the offense has been impressive. He’s clearly a guy the coaches and Kyle McCord trust in key situations and he’s taking advantage of the attention opponents are paying to Oronde Gadsden and Trebor Pena.
Grant has shown the ability to make plays in the secondary and I think that Syracuse can use him in the pass rush and coverage down the stretch. The Orange defense has been up and down but they have shown a knack for the ball.
Mike: Trebor Pena and Duce Chestnut
I saw the Georgia duo of Meeks and Zeed Haynes having a big role in the offense, but never expected Pena to make the incredible jump he has so far. Right behind Meeks in receiving yards and first in targets and TDs? Be honest, who saw that coming? He’s been a matchup nightmare combined with McCord, who can get the ball out lightning quick when he wants to.
On the defensive side, I’m in favor of keeping Justin Barron at LB once Marlowe Wax returns. That means the secondary will need to rely more on their corner-turned-safety to keep leading. Duce has the best PFF ratings for overall defense and pass coverage on the team, but both will be put to the test against two of the top three passing offenses in the ACC (Pitt and Miami).
Max: Team Chemistry and Oronde Gadsden II
Between an entirely new coaching staff and a slew of incoming transfers, I am impressed with how connected Fran Brown’s team is. There’s usually an adjustment period for such a significant overhaul, and while there have been a few growing pains (Ohio 1Q, Stanford), there were also incredible moments through the first six games.
Going forward, I’d expect Oronde Gadsden II to take on a bigger role. Before the season, many of us expected the tight end to lead the Orange in receiving yards and touchdowns. He’s currently third in yards and tied for third in TDs, which is surprising. Gadsden passed on the NFL Draft and returned to SU for a reason, and his massive frame will allow for more catches and scores down the home stretch.
Carson: Jackson Meeks, Kyle McCord and Yasin Willis
Meeks was one of my ‘breakout players’ to begin the year, so, I guess, it’s not much of a ‘surprise’, but what he’s been able to accomplish through the first half of the season has certainly exceeded some expectations — 38 catches, four touchdowns, and 459 receiving yards. In the absence of WRs Justus Ross-Simmons and Yazeed Haynes, Meeks has stepped up in a big way as another concrete option offensively for QB Kyle McCord, which makes this offense so much more dangerous when it forces opposing defenses to guard so many different weapons.
Most fans knew Syracuse’s offense would be different and definitely improved this year. Even with all the optimism out there, I genuinely didn’t think it would be this elite and those high-scoring through the halfway mark of the season. A multi-threat running back and strong receiving depth do help support that, but McCord has been the key to keeping this offense as good as it has been. Speaking of offense, Yasin Willis has really started to show some flashes and could carve out more of a role as the Orange get deeper into their schedule.
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Who’s stood out to you so far? Which player do you think will emerge in a bigger role down the stretch?