4 observations from Syracuse Football's 3/27 practice
Ryan Giancola
Staff Writer
A warm Wednesday morning awaited the Syracuse football team for their fourth spring practice. Today, the media got a look at the defensive side of the ball.
Here are four observations from the practice.
Mar 27, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Fadil Diggs speaks with reporters following a practice at the Ensley Athletic Center. (Ryan Giancola (The Juice Online))
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Edge Rushers
The edge rushers, led by coach Nick Willams, worked on a drill focused on speed and precision. While making their quick and tight turns, they had to pick up a small towel and then, while still running, give it to Coach Williams.
Williams was dishing out tips and pointers to his players the entire time.
Right next to the edge rushers, the big men up front were also working.
Defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson was running a pass-rushing drill where players needed to knock down a dummy with all their strength. Robinson was looking for physicality from his players during this drill.
The linebacking core, led by co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Robert Wright, focused on a drill that was all about reading the opposing quarterback. Wright mimicked the quarterback and kept his linebackers on their toes as he would either throw the ball or run with it.
Senior Marlowe Wax leads this group after deciding to return for his final year of eligibility.
“I'd like to see him continue to do the right thing," Wright said. "Every day because everybody's seeing that. And then when he does talk, people listen.”
Syracuse strength and conditioning has been getting a lot of praise recently on social media. Some Syracuse players have posted photos of them before and after their work with coaches, including safety Alijah Clark.
“It's a lot different," Clark said of the conditioning program. "Like I said, it's a lot more detailed because, Fran, when he say is coming in to be detailed and that's exactly what he came in and did.”
