Syracuse Football: 5 takeaways from successful 2018 season

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Dontae Strickland #4 and Moe Neal #21 of the Syracuse Orange celebrate a touchdown run by Neal during the second quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Moe Neal #21 of the Syracuse Orange fends off Lukas Denis #21 of the Boston College Eagles during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 25, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. Boston College defeats Syracuse 42-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

4. Moe Neal will be a name to watch in 2019

Always having that potential but never getting a chance to prove himself, Moe Neal finally broke 100 carries on the season for the first time in his career in 2018.

The junior running back finished with 865 yards and five touchdowns on a career-best 5.7 yards per touch and he also caught 13 passes for another 128 yards. He led the team in rushing, edging out Eric Dungey, and assumed the role of lead back for the Orange.

Now, heading into his final season with Syracuse, he could see his role increase even more. If he hits 200 rushing attempts this season and continues to improve on that yards per carry average, he will fly past the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career and he could finish with 3,000 in his Syracuse career.

Neal isn’t the biggest guy at 5-11, 191 pounds, but he’s quick, can make guys miss and has that open-field speed that coaches drool over. He’s going to be a guy to watch as the 2019 season approaches and could be one of the top backs in the ACC.

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