On Mondays over the summer, The Juice Online is going to highlight individual players on the 2014 Syracuse football team. This week, we’re profiling receiver Brisly Estime.
Consider this statistic when assessing the importance of Brisly Estime to Syracuse’s offense.
In games when Estime caught at least two passes in 2013, the Orange went 5-1. And when Estime was held to a catch or less? 2-5.
The speedy receiver was one of the reasons for Syracuse’s late season resurgence, and is one of the biggest hopes that SU can score quickly, and often, this season.
“He’s just a guy that we’ve been trying to get comfortable,” offensive coordinator George McDonald said. “We always want to protect the freshman to make sure they feel comfortable and when they’re ready to come out and play and shine, we put them in that environment.”
It took Estime exactly seven games to make that transition.
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Seven games in, the Orange were 3-4 and Estime had only accounted for eight receptions. But Estime broke out in the team’s eight game against Wake Forest, hauling in nine passes for 62 yards and his first career touchdown.
That touchdown came on a reverse to Jarrod West, who in stride found a wide open Estime in the end zone.
It started a hot streak for Estime, who finished the season with 28 receptions, good for third on the team.
Estime continued that momentum into the spring game, when he again showcased his speed, beating Julian Whigham on a post for 64 yard touchdown to help Team Offense past Team Defense, 34-27.
“He’s a guy who’s playing with great confidence. He knows what he’s doing,” McDonald said. “He can play it fast and he understands how we’re trying to use him, so I’m really proud of Brisly.”
Inside slant: Estime should be a focal point of Syracuse’s offense this year, as McDonald finds ways to feature him to showcase his speech. “We’re really just trying to create one-on-one matchups across the field and just let our guys go out and play,” McDonald said. That quote was about the offense as a whole, but could easily be used to Estime’s role.
Vitals:
- Birthdate: December 1992
- Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida
- High School: Atlantic Community
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Class: Sophomore
- Height: 5’9″
- Weight: 170 lbs
Career highlights: Estime’s best game was the aforementioned contest against Wake Forest, where he caught nine passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. He also added five receptions for 54 yards in SU’s win against Minnesota in the Texas Bowl, including a critical 70-yard punt return.
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