Every Tuesday over the summer, we’re going to highlight individual players on the 2012-13 Syracuse football team. This week, we’re profiling quarterback Ashton Broyld.
Freshman Ashton Broyld is too good and too athletic to leave on the bench.
Broyld played quarterback at Milford Academy and won’t supplant incumbent Ryan Nassib at that position. But Doug Marrone and the SU coaching staff has been so impressed with Broyd’s talents that the Orange will find as many ways as possible to use him this year.
» What do you think Broyld will do in 2012?
To be sure, Broyld will take some snaps as Syracuse’s Wildcat quarterback. But that isn’t the only place you’ll see him in the fall. Broyld is the No. 3 running back on the post-spring depth chart and also saw time at wide receiver in the Orange’s spring game.
The Rochester native finished with two catches for 50 yards, including a dynamic 44-yard reception from the backfield. Though he didn’t lineup under center, SU ran a trick play where Broyld found backup quarterback Charlie Loeb for a 14-yard strike.
Marrone said that Broyld mostly played at tailback in the second half of spring practices.
“He’s a big, strong, fast, physical athlete,” Marrone said. “We’re very fortunate to have him. I think he’s going to be a great asset to us offensively.”
» Related: Meet Syracuse DE Deon Goggins
Inside Slant: Brad Smith, currently with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, is used as a “slash” player. Smith is the team’s Wildcat quarterback, handles returns, and also lines up at wide receiver. That is exactly the kind of role that Broyld will be playing this year. There were raving reviews about Broyld’s athletic abilities out of spring practices (though the majority of them were closed to fans and media) and he will have every opportunity to display them this season.
Vitals:
- Birthdate: January 1992
- Hometown: Rochester, NY
- High School: Rush Henrietta HS/Milford Academy
- Position: Quarterback
- Class: Freshman
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 229 lbs
Career Highlights:At Milford Academy in 2011, Broyld threw for 427 yards on 31-of-56 passing and six touchdowns, and ran for 259 yards on 39 attempts and six touchdowns. In 2010, Bryold led Rush-Henrietta to the Class AA State Championship and a 13-0 record. He was named 2010 New York State Class AA Player of the Year after passing for 1,961 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushing for 1,540 yards and 24 touchdowns.
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