RB Kareem Jones -- Jones was Syracuse's second-leading rusher last year, gaining 108 yards on 42 carries. Despite showing flashes of potential, he faces stiff competition for the starting job.
SS Dowayne Davis -- He played like a fifth-year senior as a sophomore last year, making 78 tackles to lead the secondary. Has the potential to develop into a dominant force in the middle of the Orange defense.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Syracuse grabbed a number of talented recruits. Three could contribute right away. TB Delone Carter, who was rated the 55th-best running back in the country by Rivals.com, rushed for 2,788 yards and 49 touchdowns last season at Copley Senior High in Ohio to earn the state's "Mr. Football" honor.
QB Andrew Robinson, who was rated the 20th-best "pro-style" quarterback in the country by Rivals.com, could compete for a backup spot immediately. He threw for over 2,500 yards last year as a senior in Maryland. WR Andrey Baskin, who was rated sixth-best wide receiver in the country by SuperPrep, hauled in 10 touchdowns last year at Woodrow Wilson High in Camden, N.J.
ROSTER REPORT: Syracuse is very thin at defensive end after the departure of senior starters James Wyche and Ryan LaCasse. The position is so depleted that linebackers Jameel McClain and Jamar Atkinson have been moved to DE for spring drills and will likely stay there for the foreseeable future. The loss of All-Big East senior safety Anthony Smith has opened the door for a number of players hoping to crack the starting lineup. Reggie McCoy, Donta Herrod, A.J. Brown, Lamar McPherson, as well as converted WR Bruce Williams are all expected to challenge for the starting spot alongside starting SS Dowayne Davis.