The Syracuse Orange continue their roster overhaul and upheaval under new head coach Fran Brown. Though his work on a team that finished 2-6 in conference play a season ago was already cut out for him, Brown and his staff will now be without their leading returning receiver, Damien Alford.
Damien Alford Dismissed From Syracuse
Though the reasons have yet to be stated, the Orange dismissed Alford from the program on Monday, February 12, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Alford was set to lead a new receiving corps into the 2024 season, what would have been his fifth with the team. In 2023, Alford led all Syracuse receivers with 610 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 18.5 yards per catch.
In his career, Alford recorded 67 receptions for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns. At 6’6″ and 210 pounds, Alford’s mismatch ability was apparent on multiple occasions during his career.
Immediately, the reasons for his dismissal were not known and, usually in these situations, it’s rare that fans will be given an exact reason. A former high-profile recruit from south Florida, Alford committed to Syracuse in the class of 2020 despite interest from a number of programs.
Alford originally hailed from Canada before transferring to McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida, for his final high school season.
Since taking over as the head coach, Brown has done an incredible job of bringing talent to the program. He’s pulled players with him from Georgia seemingly at will, including two receivers in Yazeed Haynes and Jackson Meeks.
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With former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord set to take the reins on offense, and despite their movement in the portal, the loss of Alford will certainly put a damper on their season prospects.
That is, of course, until spring ball starts and the potential under Brown is realized.
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