Spring Football Guide 2019 by The Daily Orange

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2019

SPRING FOOTBALL GUIDE

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With 33 years of offensive line expertise, position coach Mike Cavanaughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next task will be to replace three Orange starters. Page 3

Kendall Coleman almost quit playing football before having his breakout season. The senior pass-rusher is primed for an even better 2019. Page 5

Afer two starting linebackers graduated, Syracuse is looking for unproven veterans and promising freshmen to settle the group. Page 9

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Line shift

MIKE CAVANAUGH has been an offensive line coach for 33 years. He’s spent two years in the NFL and coached lines at both Nebraska and Oregon State in the past. Now, he mentors a Syracuse offensive line replacing multiple starters in 2019. max freund staff photographer

Syracuse relies on Mike Cavanaugh to retool its offensive line By Josh Schafer

senior staff writer

yracuse offensive line coach Mike Cava- in late March, though. “You know it’s a slow start. He’s naugh isn’t as tall his players. His bald going to chew you out because everything that you do head doesn’t reach far above the chests is not fine-tuned and made right, but as you get better of many of his 6-foot-4 and better you’re going to start likor five-inch blockers. So ing him more and more.” when Cavanaugh wants to be heard, In that moment, Cavanaugh he touches stomachs. was what he describes as “MiserHis trademark “Ev,’ we got get better,” guard Evan able Mike,” the side of his personis development, Adams recalled in a raspy rendition of ality that’s never satisfied. While Cavanaugh’s voice back in November. Syracuse is months away from its and so he’s really, “(If) this is where we want to be, we first game, the new offensive linereally good with got keep doing this man.” men have a lot to learn. In the brief Adams, now a redshirt senior, practice moments open to the young guys. admits he doesn’t love his coach in media this spring, Cavanaugh’s Mike Riley those moments. Cavanaugh, like demanded proper posture on blocks former oregon state coach many offensive line coaches, is a and impeccable footwork, and he’s fundamentals guy. The harping on asked to see it again and again. hand placement, footwork and the tedious repetition But Syracuse’s second-year offensive line coach, of drills “can make you crazy,” Adams said. who’s spent 33 years tooling linemen, isn’t just a “You come to love and appreciate him,” said Adams see cavanaugh page 4

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cavanaugh yeller. “Positive Cav,” his other personality, bonds with Adams through their Connecticut roots, sometimes discussing the best pizza joints in their area. Other offensive lineman like redshirt-junior Sam Heckel enjoy their coaches’ Hawaiian spin on Teriyaki Chicken he’s cooked at linemen dinners.

As you get better and better you’re going to start liking him more and more. Evan Adams redshirt senior guard

It’s a love and hate relationship for Syracuse offensive linemen with Cavanaugh, who spent two years in the NFL and another 14 years in Power 5 conferences. But with Heckel

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now out for the spring with an undisclosed surgery, and three other 2018 linemen graduated, the Orange will rely on Cavanaugh to patch it together. “He’s got that great combination,” said Mike Riley, who had Cavanaugh on his staff at Oregon State and Nebraska for a combined 13 seasons. “I always used to say Cav could beat them with a stick and they’d come back for more.” Due to Syracuse team policy, Cavanaugh wasn’t made available for this story. In 10 seasons coaching under Riley at Oregon State (2005-14), 23 of his offensive linemen received all conference honors. Cavanaugh guided three offensive linemen to All-American seasons at Oregon State and influenced several NFL careers. One of those players, Mike Remmers, has played eight seasons in the NFL after joining the Beavers as a walk-on. In Cavanaugh’s first season with Syracuse, Koda Martin and Cody Conway earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. The Orange improved their rushing yards per game average by 37.7 yards and set a schoolrecord for rushing touchdowns (38). Syracuse returned three of its rotational contributors on the offensive line before Heck-

el’s injury, which forced Airon Servais back to center. Both tackle spots are filled with players who haven’t started a game, with Carlos Vettorello lining up at the left and Mike Clark at the right, while Dakota Davis has slotted into left guard. “His trademark is development,” Riley said, “and so he’s really, really good with young guys that have some tools but need to learn how to play.”

Number of years Mike Cavanugh spent in the National Football League

Syracuse players said Cavanaugh helped their hand placement and pass setting technique. In the run game, this means adjusting play side hands to the outside on wide run plays, in order to seal the defense. On the inside zone, hands should be in tighter on the defender in an

attempt for a straight push forward. Conway and Heckel learned from Cavanaugh not to bend at the waist. When their helmets dip forward and bodyweight falls onto the opponent, they lose control of the situation. The group often practices how to defend against spin moves. Adams calls it “playing the piano” on a defender’s back, meaning the players must match the defender’s movements with their hands. As long as they keep resetting their hands, they won’t lose position. “He’s a great technician,” Heckel said. “He’ll make us do so many repetitions just to get the smallest thing correct. And I think that’s been the most helpful thing for me at least.” Adams met with Cavanaugh after the Camping World Bowl. In what he described as a “sit down moment,” Cavanaugh told Adams he had an opportunity to be great in football and doing what he wants to do. It was a quintessential Cavanaugh moment. An off-field gesture that brought meaning to the on-field intensity. “Just listen to me,” Adams remembered Cavanaugh said, “and I promise I’ll get you there.” jlschafe@syr.edu | @Schafer_44

EVAN ADAMS is one of the many offensive linemen who have been aided by SU linemen coach Mike Cavanaugh. Adams is a redshirt senior from Connecticut and veteran leader of an offensive line replacing multiple graduating seniors in 2019 after a successful 2018 season. josh shub-seltzer staff photographer

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KENDALL COLEMAN (55) registered 10 sacks in 2018, tied for the team-high with Alton Robinson. Having double-digit sacks was one of Coleman’s three goals entering 2018. This year, he’ll look to tally 40 tackles and earn an All-ACC selection. max freund staff photographer

A year after nearly quitting football, Syracuse’s Kendall Coleman has ascended to

New heights and just perform,” Coleman said of his 2019 mindset. “Perform through doing my job.” When he arrived at Syracuse in 2016, Coleman hen Kendall Coleman texted his parents, looked like a linebacker at 6-foot-3 inches tall and 235 Nikki and Kevin, that he thought he didn’t pounds. Yet, he only managed two bench press repetiwant to play football anymore, they knew he tions of 225 pounds. was serious. Still, the undersized freshman from Indianapolis, IndiColeman’s always been deliberate, Nikki said. If her ana pushed into the starting lineup, playing in all 12 games son says something, he means it. So, days after tearing — 11 starts — at defensive end. Coaches loved his relentless his left labrum against Louisville in November 2017 — his work ethic and with a thin group of ends. He recorded a second major injury that season — Coleman reached out sack and led SU’s freshmen with 29 tackles. Coleman took to his parents. Kevin, as Nikki remembered, felt Coleman hold of his spot, even if he wasn’t quite ready. should stay at Syracuse. Head coach Dino Babers said “I’m not going to make you stay Coleman simply outworked anyone but I want you think about this,” she threatening his spot. Unable to overUnderstand what recalled Kevin telling Coleman on power ACC offensive linemen, Colemy goals are for my the phone. “Life is hard. We can’t man leaned on his techniques, placgive you anything. You have to earn ing his main focus on becoming a individual self and everything. And yes, you have had skillful pass rusher. Defensive tackle where I want to unfortunate injuries, but you know, Josh Black said he frequently finds that’s some of the trials and tribulaColeman before and after practice take my career and tions. So we want you to think about and workouts on his own, honing his then go out there that because this was your dream.” technique with drill after drill. A day later, Coleman called them “I would say that the smaller and just perform. back. His mind was made up. He’d or less fitting to your position Kendall Coleman stay at SU. that you are, the more you have to su defensive lineman In the nearly year-and-a-half outsmart your opponent,” Colesince, Coleman’s grown into man said. “And when you add size a dominant force off the edge of Syracuse’s defenand the right elements to your ability on the field, sive line. After two injury-plagued years, Coleman’s then outsmarting your opponent is something that’s body caught up with his technique and he reaped the an option.” rewards in 2018, totaling 10 sacks — tied for 10th in the Coleman understood his need for improved techcountry. But Coleman’s unsatisfied. Prior to his junior nique, at the time — it was the only way to be effective. But season, he wrote down a list of goals: Record doubleinjuries piled up his sophomore year. He wishes now that digit sacks, 40 or more tackles and earn an All-Atlantic he spent more time on his physique, getting to the necesCoast Conference selection. In his final season this sary physical level to stay healthier, longer. fall, he intends to achieve the latter two. Against LSU on Sept. 23, 2017, Coleman left the game “Understand what my goals are for my individual self with a right foot injury. He missed the next four games and where I want to take my career and then go out there before returning against Florida State on Nov. 4. By Andrew Graham senior staff writer

Coleman’s game experience seemed nullified by the injuries happening at a rate he hadn’t experienced before. Nikki said Coleman dealt with a handful of other injuries like a broken thumb and a pulled ligament. Coleman, who’s body held up at Cathedral (Indiana) High School, showed the wear of college football. His numbers soon dipped and he finished the season with half a sack. He felt he wasn’t helping the team as much as he could’ve or should’ve. “‘I gotta improve, I gotta improve, I gotta improve,’” Black said of Coleman’s mindset through their first two years. “But sometimes, you gotta rest a little bit, make the injury feel a little bit better.” Then he tore his left labrum again, texted his parents and nearly quit football. In that moment, when Coleman wanted to step away, he immersed himself. Technique and hustle got him the starting job, but Coleman needed to do more to stay healthy — to become elite. He redoubled his efforts in the weight room and in film review, poring over technique and alignment. He focused on strengthening his upper body to incorporate more power pass-rushing moves into his arsenal. This winter, he tallied 17 reps of 225 on the bench press. With two years of starting experience, and finally healthy, Coleman wreaked havoc in 2018. He finished with the second-most sacks in the ACC. He played a massive role in one of Syracuse’s best defenses, and seasons, in decades. Even after the ascension — which almost never happened — Coleman is still unhappy with where he is. Not because finishing second in the ACC in sacks wasn’t enough, but because he could finish second in the country. “He’s mentally relentless,” Babers said. “I mean like, he doesn’t have a bad day at practice... You don’t yell at him to pick it up. I can’t recall doing that. When you have a guy that plays like that all the time, great things are going to happen to him.” aegraham@syr.edu | @A_E_Graham

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Design by Talia Trackim digital design director

fter three years with Eric Dungey at the fold, Syracuse embarks on a new era in 2019 with a new starting quarterback. Before Dungey broke records for the Orange, quarterback was among the only positions of stability for SU as it hovered around four wins in the years leading up to Dungey’s ownership of the starting job. Syracuse’s best performing quarterbacks have led it to bowl wins and Dungey, most recently, set the standard for SU football in the coming years. With hyped recruit Tommy DeVito expected to take the starting job in 2019, take a look back at Syracuse’s past quarterbacks with The Daily Orange.

UNDER C

RYAN NASSIB 2009 - 2012 PASSING YARDS — 9,190 TOUCHDOWNS — 72; 67 PASSING, 5 RUSHING RECORD — 21-16 Ryan Nassib came to Syracuse as two-star quarterback from West Chester, Pennsylvania. After sitting on the bench for the majority of his redshirt-freshman season behind Duke-transfer Greg Paulus, Nassib assumed the role as the starter as a redshirt-sophomore. In three seasons, he led SU to two bowl appearances, throwing 67 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Nassib and SU returned to the Pinstripe Bowl his redshirt-senior year, beating West Virginia 38-14 in his final collegiate game.

TERREL

2013 PASSING YA TOUCHDOWNS — 24; 11 RECOR

Eric Dungey (2015-2018): E to be the greatest quarterba three-star recruit from Ore his first game. A quarterbac But after three-straight 4-8 legacy with a victory in the most passing yards in SU hi son, rumblings of a DeVito t started all 13 games and en elusive double-digit wins the

CENTER

L HUNT

3 - 2015 ARDS — 2,621 1 PASSING, 13 RUSHING RD — 9-8

Eric Dungey wasn’t supposed ack in Syracuse history. Just a egon. The one that had to fill in ck who couldn’t finish a season. seasons, Dungey cemented his Camping World Bowl and the istory in 2018. Within the seatakeover surfaced, but Dungey nded his senior year with the e Orange yearned.

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ERIC DUNGEY

TOMMY DEVITO

2015 - 2018 PASSING YARDS — 9,340 TOUCHDOWNS — 93; 58 PASSING, 35 RUSHING RECORD — 20-18

2019 PASSING YARDS — ??? TOUCHDOWNS — ??? RECORD — ???

Terrel Hunt (2013-2015): Terrel Hunt was on his way to a formidable career with Syracuse. In his first season as a starter for the Orange, he finished seventh in single-season completion percentage as he connected on 61.2% of his passes in his sophomore season. In his junior year, he suffered a season-ending injury after just five games. He entered his senior season primed for a bounceback. But in SU’s first game of the season, he tore his achilles and Syracuse was forced to turn to an unproven commodity. A true freshman from Oregon. Eric Dungey entered the game.

Tommy DeVito (2019): Think of the breakthrough against Florida State. Think of the comeback against North Carolina. For moments of the 2018 season, Tommy DeVito showed every bit of the promise that’s been heaped on the top-recruit. Head coach Dino Babers recently said that this summer will be key to SU’s passing game development ahead of fall camp. Now a redshirt-sophomore, it’s DeVito’s time.

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ANDREW ARMSTRONG (12) was a special teams contributor for most of the 2018 season. Now, he’s a veteran leader on an SU linebacker crew that’s replacing two starters from last season. Armstrong joins Lakiem Williams, Mikel Jones and Lee Kpogba in the linebacking corps. max freund staff photographer

hen Syracuse coaches told Tyrell Richards he was reverting to linebacker from defensive end, there wasn’t an immediate change for the redshirt-sophomore. One of the first things Richards adjusted to was walking into a different meeting room for positional work in Manley Field House this past winter. Richards was surrounded by veteran linebackers — like Andrew Armstrong and Lakiem Williams — and learned the position he was originally recruited for. Richards said Armstrong and Williams led questionand-answer sessions, reviewed film with underclassmen and provided veteran guidance. Absent from the room was Ryan Guthrie and Kielan Whitner, two graduated starters on last year’s squad that won 10 games. Throughout the 2019 spring season, no clear starting linebackers have emerged other than Armstrong, whom SU head coach Dino Babers said has done “the best job” so far. The senior Armstrong represents one of the answers on the roster that features question marks at linebacker. Babers billed Saturday’s spring scrimmage as a chance for rotational players like Richards, Williams, and freshmen Mikel Jones and Lee Kpogba earn a more-significant role. As a whole, the unit will need to replace 207 tackles, four-and-a-half sacks and two interceptions from 2018. The group of veterans and rookies can carry over last year’s success into one of the most anticipated seasons in recent-program history. “There’s a lot of candidates,” Babers said. “... It’s not so much watching (Armstrong), it’s watching all those other guys and see what they’re gonna be willing to do and how they’re wanting to develop.” Armstrong, a 6-foot-2, 234-pound senior, adopted the program staples and learned from veteran linebackers for three seasons. Parris Bennett and Zaire Franklin developed into program stalwarts while Armstrong appeared in 12 games as a freshman and made 16 tackles. In 2018, he rotated in SU’s third-down package with 45 tackles and started at strong-side linebacker against Pittsburgh. His two fumble recoveries ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference as he asserted himself on special teams. Armstrong saw his future role emerge in the two extra weeks of bowl practice, when younger players were able to learn the system and Armstrong already knew select packages. During the spring, Armstrong has continued his focus on leadership while “correcting the little things,” like precise footwork and

BACK AT IT After losing more than 200 tackles, SU relies on unproven linebackers for 2019 By Nick Alvarez

asst. sports editor

tackling form. “It’s my time to step up and be a leader,” Armstrong said. “Just communicating with the defense, making sure I know other people’s position other than myself.” Williams, a transfer from Butte College, has studied SU’s playbook while trying to carve out his own role on the defense. When he joined Syracuse last season, he said he looked for the “big hit.” While Williams tied for second on special teams tackles (three), he rarely saw snaps at outside linebacker. Guthrie told Williams to constantly review film, and the rest would follow. An emphasis on assignment and alignment carried the senior transfer through the spring. Not only does he know which gap he’s responsible for on specific plays, but he also understands if the defensive linemen should be in a one- or three-technique and where the secondary should be positioned. Like upperclassmen before them, Williams and Armstrong have led extra film sessions. They regularly text the position’s group chat after classes and encourage meet-ups at about 6 p.m. in Manley. They review 2018 game film as well as practice tape, but they don’t review SU’s mistakes, Richards said. Instead, they track offensive-gameplans and spy pulling guards. “The linebackers that really want it, they come up,” Williams said. Richards, a frequent attendee of the meetups, said the film has helped him adjust after injuries shifted him to last season’s defensive line. Richards’ versatility cements him as part of a younger crop of linebackers that Babers said “show up” on tape because of their explosiveness. But, their eagerness has led to rookie mistakes. The key, Babers said, is to allow Richards, Jones and Kpogba to take the first step as opposed to chasing a play down after misreading it. Standing on the turf field in Manley, the linebacker unit stood behind five trash cans representing an offensive line. SU coaches filled out the skill positions. Before each snap, they called out coverages, and the linebackers reacted as if it were in-game. Some flared toward the flats, others hook-curled in pass protection. It was months before the real games would start, in the midst of the doldrums of spring ball, but the drill was a benchmark test for a player’s IQ. It was a way to find out who was ready to stand out in Syracuse’s unproven linebacker group. “Everybody is a different style player,” Williams said. “And now it’s up to the coaches to figure out who’s gonna be where and who’s gonna do what.” nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez

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2019 SCHEDULE

Live the dream.

Liberty University

Away

Aug. 31

Maryland

Away

Sept. 7

Clemson

Home

Sept. 14

Western Michigan

Home

Sept. 21

Holy Cross

Home

Sept. 28

NC State

Away

Oct. 10

Pittsburgh

Home

Oct. 18

Florida State

Away

Oct. 26

Boston College

Home

Nov. 2

Duke

Away

Nov. 16

Louisville

Away

Nov. 23

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Wake Forest

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Nov. 30

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