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Syracuse Football: 3 Upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Oct 31, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Dino Babers leads his team onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Dino Babers leads his team onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Garrett Schrader: Quarterback

It had become apparent that Sean Tucker was going to be the focus of the offense after his breakout freshman season. A strong play-action passing game would be ideal to complement a runner as talented as Tucker. Porous offensive line play prevented that.

What coach Babers and the offensive staff found was Mississippi State transfer Garrett Schrader was the perfect quarterback to put next to Tucker. Defenses must respect Schrader at the mesh point because of his ability as a dual-threat quarterback. If Syracuse football wants to make a bowl game this season, Schrader must improve as a passer.

Last season Schrader finished second to Tucker in rushing yards (781). However, Schrader completed 52.9% of his passes with only nine touchdown passes. A lack of a complementary passing game limits Syracuse’s ability to counterpunch when defenses key in on Tucker and Schrader running the football.

Taj Harris transferring to Rutgers does not help matters. On the other hand, Harris’ transfer allows other receivers to step up and make plays. Courtney Jackson, last season’s leading receiver, returns, as does Damien Alford, who led Syracuse in yards per reception.

With such a dominant rushing attack, a passing game that can push the football down the field could be dangerous.

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