Syracuse football had their 10th spring practice on Friday at the Clifford Ensley Athletic Center. Here are three takeaways with the Orange only three practices away from their spring game next Saturday.
The QB room is young but has potential
Quarterback coach Nunzio Campanile was quick to point out this spring is a lot different than last year as Syracuse doesn’t have a confirmed starting quarterback.
Campanile said the name of the game last year was taking an experience Kyle McCord and catching him up on Syracuse's offense. This year, the mission is teaching the new players while also developing the younger quarterbacks.
Syracuse has eight quarterbacks on the roster and none of them have started a game.
“There’s a huge difference between a guy who started 14-15 games to someone who has played maybe 30 snaps,” Campanile said. “Now we’re in a different spot where we have to get all these guys up to speed and figure out who’s the right guy to lead our team.”
Campanile spoke highly of all the quarterbacks and the room as a whole.
Freshman Rich Belin was particularly impressive during the drills on the field media observed. Belin was a three-star prospect, New York’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 and a two-time All-State quarterback.
Belin is a dual threat quarterback, and is on the smaller end listed at 6’0” 187 pounds but looked accurate and showed a quick release.
Campanile on how his qb room has been through the battle for the starting job. pic.twitter.com/8N3ppAEMQp
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Trebor Pena’s time
Trebor Pena, in a move that even surprised him, was named a captain by Fran Brown. Pena is one of two redshirt senior wide receivers along with Umari Hatcher.
“I didn’t know, [Brown] just said that,” Pena said. “I lead by my actions… I got to grow more to talk more and hold guys accountable.”
No matter who starts at QB come August, Pena should be able to make their life easier. Last year he totaled 941 receiving yards, 81 catches and nine touches. With Oronde Gadsden and Jackson Meeks departing for the NFL, Pena should be the No. 1 pass catcher defenses circle.
“In the receiver [Pena is] their quarterback,” quarterback Rickie Collins said. “He’s a great leader… he works hard, I work hard. When you get two people like that you can’t go wrong.”
Behind Pena there are some ...
