Syracuse football: HC Fran Brown credits much of team’s success to OL

There were plenty of good things to discuss going into the Syracuse Orange football season: Ohio State transfer QB Kyle McCord, Oronde Gadsden and Trebor Pena healthy, other offensive and defensive additions, and an already talented secondary with several key contributors..

But, the Achilles heel was will this offensive line support a talented offense on paper? Which posed a significant liability given McCord’s lack of mobility and struggles under pressure last season at Ohio State.

Key Stat: McCord’s Pro Football Focus grades in 2023 - 90.0 clean-pocket passing grade (19th-best in Power Five), 33.5 pressured-passing grade (eighth-worst in Power Five).

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Last season, the Orange front five (four returners in 2024) ranked 110th among offensive lines in college football (PFF). Through two weeks, SU’s offensive line has allowed just two sacks. And, not that Ohio and Georgia Tech’s defensive lines are world-renowned, but only two sacks on 148 offensive snaps is still impressive — especially when 86 of those snaps were pass plays.

Two key offseason additions OT Savion Washington (Colorado) and HBCU All-American LT Da’Metrius Weatherspoon (Howard) allowed Mark Petry to slide inside to guard. Brown mentioned at his Monday press conference how impressed he’s been with his offensive line and their performance, and not just the starters but the guys behind them, pushing for game time.

“I know we got those guys that are on the field, but when you look at guys like Trey [Trevion] Mack, who’s doing an amazing job, Joe Cruz, who’s doing an amazing job,” Brown added. “All of these kids are class-A kids, doing a great job academically, and a good job on the football field.”

Brown also mentioned red-shirt junior RT Enrique Cruz in his acknowledgment. Depth at the position has been a problem for the Orange in recent years, but knowing that the second unit is pushing the starters is a positive sign.

Between a mix of returning veterans and new additions, what was considered SU’s ‘biggest weakness’ is now a part of the offense Brown can lean on to game plan against upcoming opponents. We’ll see if this group continues to excel as they get more time together.