Meet the 2012 Syracuse football team — QB Ryan Nassib

Every Tuesday over the summer, we’re going to highlight individual players on the 2012-13 Syracuse football team. This week, we’re starting with quarterback Ryan Nassib.

Ryan Nassib has been under-center for the Orange for the past three seasons and he has proven that he is ready to take the reins at quarterback for one more year. Nassib has thrown for the fourth-most touchdown passes in Syracuse University history and he looks to add a few more to the stat column in 2012.

After losing usual receiving targets like Nick Provo and Van Chew to graduation, Nassib will be forced to build some chemistry with a few new faces.

“I’m feeling pretty good with the chemistry in the passing game with the receivers,” he said. “I think me, Marcus [Sales] and Kobena, we had a really good spring this year.”

A few other guys hoping to catch a few passes from Nassib are tight end Beckett Wales and maybe even the freshman all-purpose player, Ashton Broyld.

» Related: Nassib has options at receiver
» How do you think Nassib will do in 2012?

Nassib was right at the center of the five-game losing streak that brought last season to a screeching halt. A lack of offensive production was one of the reasons the Orange struggled to win, and who better to blame for than than the quarterback? But a lot of other factors went into disappointing end to the season.

There weren’t many offensive weapons that Nassib could turn to. He also wasn’t getting much time in the pocket. He was sacked 29 times last season, many of which can be blamed on the offensive line. But Nassib is confident with the guys in front of him for next season.

“I think the O-Line is doing well,” he said. “We’re putting new guys in different spots but I think they’re meshing well.”

Inside Slant: There were times last season when Nassib showed signs of greatness. But there were also times when he had Orange fans frustrated. The final game of the season against Pittsburgh, when Nassib threw an interception to end all comeback hopes, left a bad taste in the mouths of Syracuse fans so he has a lot to prove going into next season. In order to be successful, he needs to be confident in the pocket, make strong passes and try to avoid some of the silly mistakes that resulted in interceptions last season.

Vitals:

  • Birthdate: Marth 10, 1990
  • Hometown: West Chester, PA
  • High School: Malvern Prep
  • Position: Quarterback
  • Class: Graduate Student
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 229 lbs

Career Highlights: Nassib threw for over 2,000 yards during both his junior and senior seasons and has thrown 44 touchdown passes during his career. Last season he broke single-season records in both pass completions, with 259, and passing yards, with 2,685. Nassib sits in the top five of a few categories in the Syracuse football career record books. He is fourth all-time in passing yards, third in completions and fifth in total offense.

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