Photo by: Ryan Nix
#CampCuse Position Preview: Secondary
8/23/2018 7:15:00 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse coaching staff is scheming for better production from the team's pass defense, especially in the takeaway department. The Orange managed just four interceptions a season ago, but defensive backfield coaches Kim McCloud and Nick Monroe have the talent on hand for improved results.
In the spring, McCloud moved from the offensive side of the football, where he coached the receivers, over to defense to tutor the cornerbacks. The shift allowed Monroe to narrow his focus to the Orange safeties and nickelbacks. More opportunities for individual instruction and an influx of young, athletic players to mesh with established veterans has the Syracuse secondary on the short list for most improved position group on the team.
Senior safety and nickelback Antwan Cordy said he's never seen a group of freshmen, which includes highly-touted newcomers, Andre Cisco, Trill Williams and Cam Jonas, come in more ready to contribute since he arrived at Syracuse in 2014.
"It comes naturally to them. When I was a freshman, it took me a long time," Cordy said. "But I feel like they know everything right now, as a freshman. You can tell they're going to be good."Â Â Â
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In addition to the youth movement, the Orange have three starters returning in the defensive backfield – redshirt junior Christopher Fredrick and junior Scoop Bradshaw at cornerback, and sophomore Evan Foster at strong safety. Fredrick has started 18 straight games. He contributed 43 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups a season ago. Bradshaw was with the first string in 11-of-12 outings last fall and posted a team-best six pass breakups. Foster topped all secondary performers with 64 tackles. He also had an interception and four pass breakups.
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The squad has its fingers crossed Cordy will enjoy an injury-free season. Cordy has missed 21 of Syracuse's 24 games the last two years. He made 12 starts at safety in 2015 and is slotted as the primary nickelback when the Orange deploy five defensive backs. In 2015, Cordy's last full season, he finished second on the team in tackles (68) and set the school record for most tackles for losses by a defensive back with 12.
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Junior Carl Jones, redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Williams, who joined the Orange from Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.) are the top reserves at cornerback. Jones has been primarily a special teams contributor his first two seasons. Melifonwu is the younger brother of Oakland Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu and is known as one of the most physically-gifted players on the Syracuse roster. Williams, who is listed as one of Bradshaw's understudies, is the only true freshman who did not enroll on the preseason depth chart.  Â
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Competing with Cordy at nickelback is sophomore Allen Stritzinger, who spent his first season on campus as a reserve running back. Stritzinger was a two-way star at De La Salle High School in Michigan. He was the No. 3 prep cornerback in the state and received some interest from the University of Michigan during the recruiting process.Â
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The Orange plan to work in redshirt sophomore Devon Clarke, redshirt freshman Eric Coley and first-year players Andre Cisco from IMG Academy (Fla.) and Cam Jonas from Dwyer High School (Fla.) at safety. A January enrollee, Cisco opened camp as the No. 1 free safety opposite Foster.
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Two other interesting contenders for playing time are Tyrone Perkins, a senior who switched over from running back prior to spring practice, and DuWayne Johnson, a transfer from Arizona Western College, who played in the 2017 NJCAA title game. Johnson began his career at Virginia Tech before heading to junior college.
Syracuse kicks off the season next Friday at Western Michigan. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 8 versus Wagner.
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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 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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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
In the spring, McCloud moved from the offensive side of the football, where he coached the receivers, over to defense to tutor the cornerbacks. The shift allowed Monroe to narrow his focus to the Orange safeties and nickelbacks. More opportunities for individual instruction and an influx of young, athletic players to mesh with established veterans has the Syracuse secondary on the short list for most improved position group on the team.
Senior safety and nickelback Antwan Cordy said he's never seen a group of freshmen, which includes highly-touted newcomers, Andre Cisco, Trill Williams and Cam Jonas, come in more ready to contribute since he arrived at Syracuse in 2014.
"It comes naturally to them. When I was a freshman, it took me a long time," Cordy said. "But I feel like they know everything right now, as a freshman. You can tell they're going to be good."Â Â Â
  Â
In addition to the youth movement, the Orange have three starters returning in the defensive backfield – redshirt junior Christopher Fredrick and junior Scoop Bradshaw at cornerback, and sophomore Evan Foster at strong safety. Fredrick has started 18 straight games. He contributed 43 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups a season ago. Bradshaw was with the first string in 11-of-12 outings last fall and posted a team-best six pass breakups. Foster topped all secondary performers with 64 tackles. He also had an interception and four pass breakups.
  Â
The squad has its fingers crossed Cordy will enjoy an injury-free season. Cordy has missed 21 of Syracuse's 24 games the last two years. He made 12 starts at safety in 2015 and is slotted as the primary nickelback when the Orange deploy five defensive backs. In 2015, Cordy's last full season, he finished second on the team in tackles (68) and set the school record for most tackles for losses by a defensive back with 12.
  Â
Junior Carl Jones, redshirt freshman Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Williams, who joined the Orange from Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.) are the top reserves at cornerback. Jones has been primarily a special teams contributor his first two seasons. Melifonwu is the younger brother of Oakland Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu and is known as one of the most physically-gifted players on the Syracuse roster. Williams, who is listed as one of Bradshaw's understudies, is the only true freshman who did not enroll on the preseason depth chart.  Â
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Competing with Cordy at nickelback is sophomore Allen Stritzinger, who spent his first season on campus as a reserve running back. Stritzinger was a two-way star at De La Salle High School in Michigan. He was the No. 3 prep cornerback in the state and received some interest from the University of Michigan during the recruiting process.Â
  Â
The Orange plan to work in redshirt sophomore Devon Clarke, redshirt freshman Eric Coley and first-year players Andre Cisco from IMG Academy (Fla.) and Cam Jonas from Dwyer High School (Fla.) at safety. A January enrollee, Cisco opened camp as the No. 1 free safety opposite Foster.
  Â
Two other interesting contenders for playing time are Tyrone Perkins, a senior who switched over from running back prior to spring practice, and DuWayne Johnson, a transfer from Arizona Western College, who played in the 2017 NJCAA title game. Johnson began his career at Virginia Tech before heading to junior college.
Syracuse kicks off the season next Friday at Western Michigan. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 8 versus Wagner.
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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 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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For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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