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Syracuse Football: 3 signees who will have an instant impact in 2020

By Brendan Smith

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dino Babers of the Syracuse Orange leads his team onto the field before the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dino Babers of the Syracuse Orange leads his team onto the field before the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Stefon Thompson, who is an early-enroll at Syracuse, could find early playing time after recent linebacker struggles for the Orange.

Tony White’s new 3-3-5 scheme makes projecting linebackers difficult for the time being, but Thompson’s combination of athleticism (4.53 verified shuttle time) and size (6-0, 225 pounds) is encouraging. He was the 51st best inside linebacker prospect in the 2020 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Linebacker has long been a position of need for the Orange, leaving the possibility of early playing time open for Thompson. Now, with the recent news of Juan Wallace entering the transfer portal, Thompson’s path to playing time has become even clearer.

For the second straight season, the Orange have graduated their starting linebackers, which has led to the recent struggles at the position.

Inserting a young player like Thompson should solidify the position moving forward. Mikel Jones and Lee Kgopba both say significant time as freshmen last season.

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