by Mike Held
I can’t make many promises about this upcoming Syracuse football season, but if there’s one thing I can say, it’s this: our starting Quarterback will be better than Nickleback. But seriously, Syracuse has 5 quarterbacks on the roster. While none of us expect there to be a quarterback battle a-brewin’ in the Dome, it’s still good to get a good look at the group of potential leaders of the Orange offense.
Ryan Nassib
Nassib, a 5th year senior out of West Chester, Pennsylvania, looks to lead the Orange offense for yet another year. This will be Ryan’s third season starting for Syracuse. He’s been solid in the past two, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes, and averaging over 6 yards per completion. Nassib thrived last season especially, with 22 touchdowns to only 9 picks. And we’re not just looking at the weak Big East games. One of his best games of the season came against a ridiculously stacked USC defense in Los Angeles. In the USC game, Nassib was 35 for 37 with a touchdown and no picks.
With an improved line, Nassib should be seeing yet another career year. Nassib needs a strong year to improve his NFL draft stock. He is currently projected as the 15th best quarterback in the draft class.
Charley Loeb
Loeb is a Junior at Syracuse, and his stock is ever rising after winning Peyton Manning’s Passing Academy’s Quarterback Challenge. Time to play every statistician’s favorite game: EXTRAPOLATION. Charley is a career 60 percent passer, with no touchdowns, but much more importantly NO INTERCEPTIONS! He’s only been sacked ONE TIME. IN HIS ENTIRE COLLEGE CAREER.
But really, Loeb has never really played. He’s been behind Nassib in his entire career as an Orangeman. Fear not, Loeb will likely see a few snaps here and there. And if Nassib starts underperforming, the calls for Loeb may become stronger.
Ashton Broyld
Ah, the curious case of Ashton. Sure, broiled potatoes are delicious, but are Broyld oranges? Syracuse may find out this season. We all know the story, Broyld went to Rush-Hennrietta, won a New York State championship, dropped his pants at a school basketball game and got arrested, found himself at a prep school before coming to SU. Happens to all of us, right? Broyld can move, we know that much. He’s listed as the third string running back as well as the third string QB. Who knows what we’ll see from him. Broyld is already a fan favorite, being from a famed local-ish public school. The anti-Nassib crew may want Ashton in now.
Broyld reportedly dazzled spring practices. He could become a spark into a somewhat bland, predictable offensive system. Let the Brolyding begin. Expect him to take a few snaps in a wildcat-esque formation and maybe some more as a running back.
Terrell Hunt
Hunt may compete with Broyld and Loeb for the backup job. After being redshirted last season, and then suspended for spring practices after being arrested. Many see Hunt as the heir apparent to the SU quarterback throne. If he can stay out of trouble with the law during his tenure on the Hill, he just might make it.
In high school, he was a duel threat QB, much like Broyld. I’m getting the sense that this type of signalcaller is the future for the Orange. The battle between Broyld and Hunt will be an interesting one for the top Wildcat QB this season, and potentially for the spot of QB for the future.
John Kinder
John’s been warming the bench since coming in 3 years ago. Now a junior, don’t expect to see much more of Kinder. He’s 4th on the depth chart, and likely won’t see much action barring some freak occurance.
Check back at NationOfOrange for more unit analysis in the coming weeks!
