As December rapidly draws to a close – a mere two nights of sleep until the dawn of 2015 – many people reflect on the past year while setting new goals for the coming year. More commonly known as the dreaded New Year’s Resolutions list. We here at The Juice Online are by no means above the resolutions fad!
Yesterday, we did our New Years resolutions for Syracuse basketball. Today, we present our list of resolutions that will enable the football team to find success in the new year.
Scott Shafer – The powerhouse programs have proven time and again, talent wins games. Shafer and his staff need to continue lining their roster with talent. His 2014 recruiting class was the highest ranked in a number of years for the Orange. And while true freshmen Steve Ishmael, Erv Philips and AJ Long saw plenty of action, players on both sides of the ball such as Denzel Ward and Chris Slayton are waiting in the wings to make an impact next season. Shafer must also sort out the status of ace recruiter George McDonald. After an in-season demotion from offensive coordinator to receivers coach, McDonald’s status going forward remains a question mark. Should McDonald and his deep Florida ties seek employment elsewhere, Shafer needs to bring in another resilient recruiter to replace him.
» Related: See our New Years Resolutions for Syracuse basketball
Terrel Hunt – After a strong close to last season, Hunt’s year certainly didn’t play out as he anticipated. The offense struggled, especially in the passing game. Hunt was lost for the year to injury in SU’s loss to Louisville. With Long wet behind the ears and true freshman recruit Alin Edouard due to enroll for the second semester, Hunt must seize control of the offense during Spring ball. That means igniting a passing game Syracuse desperately needs to prevent defenses from selling out to stop the run. If he can’t do that, he might find himself relegated to clipboard duty for Long or Edouard.
Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips – Both freshman displayed flashes of brilliance during their rookie campaigns. The duo must continue to improve to become the go-to receiver and running back in Syracuse’s offense that opposing defensive coordinators game plan for.
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