The Syracuse Orange have garnered much attention, especially with Fran Brown’s proactive role in the offseason. Recently, two-way player Demetres Samuel Jr. revealed how the coach is using NIL fines to discipline players.
Demetres Samuel Jr. Details How Significant the Syracuse NIL Fines Can Be
Syracuse safety and wide receiver Demetres Samuels recently discussed how significant NIL fines can be in the program. According to him, if players step out of line, Syracuse head coach Brown is prepared to impose a hefty fine.
Ex-Clemson star Daniel Rencher asked Demetres how they could lose NIL, to which Demetres replied, “You could lose money for two absences in class…we got class checkers. If you don’t have your jug or your tablet for like film…that’s $50, everytime the coach see you without it.”
Byron Washington also appeared in the interview and revealed, “If you don’t make weight…lose 2 pounds or gain 2 pounds a week.”
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The duo also revealed that the deduction progresses from Monday through Friday, where the initial days are much more lenient. However, any problems not worked upon by the end of the week could mean a quarter deduction from the NIL money.
In an era when transfer portals and the NIL have caused havoc in the college football landscape, Coach Brown’s innovative use of NIL money adds value to the program. You don’t just own it; you have to earn it. That is the type of culture that Brown is trying to continue to implement in Western New York as he moves into his second season.
If players fail to report to practice on time or make a mistake off the field, they can miss out on making more money. It is very similar to the NFL when a team or the league fines a player for stepping out of line on or off the field.
Syracuse Looking to Carry Momentum Into 2025
In Fran Brown’s first season as head coach last season, the team won 10 games for just the second time in the last 23 years.
The Orange went 5-3 in conference and ended up winning the Holiday Bowl, but they did have the help of veteran quarterback Kyle McCord. McCord had a record-setting season as he threw for 4,779 yards (ACC single-season record) and completed an FBS-leading 367 passes. His 34 passing touchdowns were a Syracuse record as he kept the team in plenty of games throughout the season. The loss of the star quarterback could hurt the overall production on offense, and Fran Brown is going to have to find a way to make up for that.
Meanwhile, transfer quarterback Rickie Collins could take the reins as the starter this season, and it remains to be seen whether or not he can help this team.
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In a tougher ACC conference with the likes of the Bill Belichick-led North Carolina Tar Heels, the Carson Beck-led Miami Hurricanes, the Clemson Tigers, who won the ACC last year, and the SMU Mustangs, who made the College Football Playoff yesterday, it could be an uphill battle for the Orange.
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