It’s a new era for the Syracuse Orange as Fran Brown takes over the headset following an eight-year stint under former head coach Dino Babers.
Brown made waves in the transfer portal, most notably securing Ohio State signal-caller Kyle McCord, but he’ll have a decent stable of returners to set the foundation for his tenure.
Who are the Syracuse Orange’s top 10 returning players in 2024?
Syracuse Orange’s Top 10 Returning Players
10) Jayden Bellamy, CB
After spending a redshirt true freshman season at Norte Dame in 2022, Jayden Bellamy joined the Orange and had an immediate impact. Bellamy appeared in 12 games with seven starts, finishing with 29 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a pick-six.
9) Jack Stonehouse, P
Jack Stonehouse could arguably be higher on this list after being named All-ACC Third Team last season. Averaging 44.6 yards per kick in 2023, Stonehouse, a Missouri transfer with over 100 career punts, finished with the second-best net punting season in program history. He also had 19 punts over 50 yards, and 18 landed inside the 20 last year.
8) Alijah Clark, S
After spending his freshman year at Rutgers in 2021, Alijah Clark has been a continuous starter at safety for the Orange each of the last two seasons.
In 25 games with the Orange, Clark has 120 tackles, seven for a loss, five pass defenses, and two fumble recoveries.
7) J’Onre Reed, C
Known as “Big General,” J’Onre Reed was an NJCAA second-team All-American in 2022 at Hutchinson Community College before starting every game at center for the Orange last year.
Listed at 6’3″, 316 pounds, the Houston native brings valuable experience in the middle of the offensive line for Syracuse.
6) Enrique Cruz, LT
Entering his fourth season on the Orange, Enrique Cruz has started 18 games at left tackle over the last two seasons. The 6’6″, 319-pounder from Chicago started every game and all 803 snaps on offense for Syracuse last season. He’ll be a nice bodyguard for the Orange’s new prize behind center — Kyle McCord.
5) Derek McDonald, LB
Also entering his fourth season with the Orange, Derek McDonald worked his way into the starting rotation in 2022 with eight starts before starting all 13 games last year. With 106 career tackles, McDonald racked up a career-high 64 last season, along with 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.
4) Justin Barron, DB
Justin Barron started his career at receiver before switching to defense during his true freshman season in 2020.
Manning the nickel back or “rover” position, Barron has started 33 games over the last three seasons for the Orange, including every game last year as a team captain and All-ACC Honorable Mention selection.
Of his 201 career tackles, 90 came last season, with eight pass defenses, three fumble recoveries, and an interception.
3) Oronde Gadsden II, TE
Oronde Gadsden II started his career as a receiver before the 6’4″ target switched to tight end ahead of his sophomore campaign in 2022. It was a worthwhile switch as he made the All-ACC First Team that year after leading all tight ends in receiving yards with 969 on 61 catches and six scores.
Gadsen only played in two games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, landing him just outside the top two of Syracuse’s 2024 returners.
2) LeQuint Allen, RB
A 2023 All-ACC Second Team selection as a running back and Honorable Mention as an all-purpose player, LeQuint Allen had a breakout sophomore campaign with 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns rushing, and a team-leading 38 catches for 210 yards and a score. He also returned two kicks and five punts and went 1-2 passing for 9 yards last season.
The Orange’s do-it-all back lands in the top two best returners for Syracuse in 2024.
1) Marlowe Wax, LB
Marlowe Wax has been a starter for the Orange since he was a true freshman in 2020, racking a 287 career tackles in 49 games, including 38 consecutive starts. An All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2023 as a team captain, Wax heads into his fifth and final season, the unquestioned leader of the team and one of the most ferocious linebackers in college football.
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