#CampCuse Position Preview: Receivers & Tight Ends

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Wide receiver is the ultimate reload spot for Syracuse.

The number of accumulated 2017 catches by the Orange wide receiver corps at the end of last season totaled 320. By the time spring ball started, 194 of those receptions had departed in the form of All-American Steve Ishmael (a school-record 105) and Ervin Philips (89), who completed their eligibility, and are currently in NFL training camps. In all, Syracuse lost 61.9 percent of its receptions from 2017.

Similar turnover at the position has been dealt with before. After 2016, the Orange lost Amba Etta-Tawo (94) and Brisley Estime (48).

Speaking at ACC Football Kickoff last month, senior quarterback Eric Dungey praised this year's wide receiver group for their work ethic and attention to detail. He said it's just a matter of time before someone steps up to fill the void left by Ishmael and Philips.

"Obviously, somebody is going to catch the ball," Dungey said. "We've just got to wait and see who it is."

Junior returning starter Devin C. Butler is one of the most likely candidates to see more targets. Butler hauled in 33 passes a season ago from his outside receiver position, including a career-high seven catches for 64 yards in the Orange's win over Pittsburgh.

Junior slot man Sean Riley, who also serves as Syracuse's top return specialist, is also primed for a larger role. Riley averaged 15.6 yards per catch on eight receptions in 2017, and finished 12th nationally with 842 combined kick return yards (710 kickoff, 132 punt). Redshirt senior Jamal Custis, a three-year letterwinner with a 6-5 frame, may line up opposite Riley in the slot, but can also flex to outside receiver. Versatile sophomore speedster Nykeim Johnson opened camp as the first-stringer opposite Butler at outside receiver. Johnson played in 11 games as a rookie and logged eight receptions for 68 yards. Like Custis, Johnson's ability to play both inside and outside allows for greater flexibility in personnel.

Redshirt sophomore K.K. Hahn and redshirt freshmen Sharod Johnson, Cameron Jordan and Russell Thompson-Bishop are the starting quartet's chief understudies.

Heading the list of newcomers is four-star recruit Ed Hendrix from H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, D.C. Anthony Queely, from Lake Nona High School (Fla.), is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Converted quarterback Taj Harris, a Palmyra High School (N.J.) product, and Berks Catholic High School (Pa.) graduate Cooper Lutz round out the scholarship rookies.

More help is on the way in Trishton Jackson, who transferred to Syracuse from Michigan State. He will be eligible in 2019 after sitting out this season. Jackson started four games for the Spartans last fall.

At the tight end position, Mackey Award candidate Ravian Pierce provided the Orange with a new weapon last fall. His emergence gave foes another pass-catcher to worry about. In his first year with the program, after transferring from Southwest Mississippi Community College, Pierce hauled in 29 receptions, including four for touchdowns. Pierce's production was the best by an Orange tight end since 2012 when Beckett Wales caught 35 passes.

There are two players with experience behind Pierce. Sophomore Aaron Hackett received his first varsity letter last fall and followed that with a productive spring. He is listed as Pierce's backup on the preseason depth chart. Senior Kyle Kleinberg, who has excelled as a special teams contributor, has earned three varsity letters with the Orange and could see spot duty.

Two newcomers give position coach Reno Ferri more depth at tight end than in previous years. Redshirt sophomore Jesse Conners, who sat out last fall after transferring from Holy Cross, is now eligible to contribute. Conners has been slowed by injury during camp, but the Pittsford, N.Y. native had a productive prep season as a wide receiver at The Salisbury School (Conn.) before enrolling at Holy Cross. Freshman Gabe Horan from C.W. Baker High School in nearby Baldwinsville adds size to the position at 6-6 and 260 pounds. Horan was a two-time all-state selection for the Bees.

Syracuse kicks off the campaign Friday, Aug. 31 at Western Michigan. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 8 versus Wagner.

Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $125 for Syracuse's six home games. Single-game tickets start at $20 for the home opener against Wagner and $25 for the Connecticut game on Sept. 22. For Syracuse's four Atlantic Coast Conference games, tickets are available for as little as $35.

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