Syracuse takes center stage at ACC Media Days

When you think of Syracuse football, the first word you should think of is “family.”

That’s the message that head coach Dino Babers entered ACC Kickoff with. For SU in 2023, it is not about the name on the back, the number on the front, or the position you play. What matters most is that everybody contributes for each other to create a tight-knit family.

“We start [with family],” Babers said. “Big brothers take care of little brothers when they come in. There are certain things that we do in our family to make sure that they understand that we are not trying to control you…but there are certain things that have to fall in line because of the family.”

Quarterback Garrett Shrader, receiver Oronde Gadsden II, and linebacker Marlowe Wax are three members of Dino Babers’ family that joined him in speaking to the media in Charlotte. For each player, 2023 is a season of growth. They each aim to become established in their new familial roles.

For Shrader, to take that next step as a leader, his health is first and foremost. The quarterback has been dealing with a nagging arm injury for the past few years. In fact, the senior missed spring camp due to injury. When it comes to this upcoming fall, though, Shrader thinks he will feel better than ever.

“It’s been a blessing in disguise,” Shrader said. “It sucks that I had to go through this [injury], but at the same time I’ve been able to clean up most of my mechanics. It didn’t really affect my performance, but I just want to be the best version of myself. It’s a minor setback. I have a very optimistic outlook that I have been throwing the ball better.”

Shrader aims to get better in time for the first game against Colgate. The quarterback says Syracuse is entering this season with “four or five guys” that can breakout on the offensive side of the ball. The player that broke out last year was Gadsden, who says he has more personal goals within the family.

The ACC

“We just want to improve from last year, and I want to get to the 1,000-yard mark with 70 catches,” Gadsden said. “As a team, we want to get eight or more wins.”

In order to get to eight or more wins, the defensive side of the ball needs to take care of the family chores. Marlowe Wax is now the voice of the defense after Mikel Jones went to the NFL. Wax learned a lot from Jones, as the elder brother took care of the little brother. Now, the linebacker is in the role of the older sibling, and he cannot wait for the season to begin.

“I never really was the one who had to talk a lot on the field, but Mikel [Jones] was,” Wax said. “Now I have to do all of that. I have to be ready to take that next step forward and bring the next guys up behind me.”

The ACC

Babers, Shrader, Gadsden, and Wax aim to build a strong family bond this upcoming season. With a strong family bond, the Orange can improve on their 7-5 record in 2022. The first matchup of the season is on September 2nd against Colgate. WAER will have live coverage all season long.