Over the summer, The Juice Online will be featuring players on the 2018 Syracuse football team as we countdown to kickoff. Today, The Juice Online looks at defensive back Antwan Cordy.
Antwan Cordy may be a redshirt senior, but earlier in the year, he felt like he had just arrived on campus.
After two seasons that ended prematurely with freak injuries, Cordy briefly transitioned from defensive back to slot receiver in Dino Babers’ offense.
Though Cordy certainly has the athleticism for the position, he told Babers earlier in the summer that he wants to stick to the defensive side of the ball.
“It was just too late for me in the process,” Cordy said. “I was in the film room and every day was like I was a freshmen.”
Now that Cordy is back on defense, he’s transitioned into a nickel-back. Normally, that would mean that Cordy would only appear on third downs.
But with Syracuse’s inexperience at linebacker, the Orange is expected to play more in a 4-2-5 base, which means that Cordy will see plenty of time on the field.
Often, it means that he will be lining up against the opposing team’s top receiver.
“I like the transition,” Cordy said. “It’s where I want to be.”
Cordy is hoping that he can stay there.
Two years ago, Cordy he broke his arm in the second game of the season against Louisville making a play in the endzone. Last year, he broke his leg in the first game of 2017.
That is all in the past now.
“My speed came back,” he said. “It’s all natural now.”
» More SU football: Dontae Strickland — Meet the 2018 Syracuse Football team
Inside slant: Cordy, nicknamed ‘Giant’ for his smaller stature, but big-time play, just needs to stay healthy for a season. Three years ago, he was SU’s top defensive back and a key contributor. If he can avoid being unlucky on the field, then expect a big season from him.
Vitals:
- Birthdate: January, 1995
- Hometown: Homestead, Fla.
- High School: South Dade
- Position: Defensive Back
- Class: Redshirt Senior
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 177 lbs
Career highlights: In his sophomore year, he was second on the team in tackles (68) and set the Syracuse record for most tackles for a loss by a defensive back (12).
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