While Syracuse returns three of its five leading rushers from 2023, only one — 2nd Team All-ACC selection LeQuint Allen — is a running back. In 2024, Allen will be joined in the backfield by a plethora of newcomers. New Orange offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon indicated at training camp that he plans, at times, to deploy a rotation of “three or four” backs.
LeQuint Allen
Like in 2023, Allen is Syracuse’s clear top back. After he totalled more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage and earned all-league recognition last season, his 2024 campaign begins on the watchlist for the Doak Walker Award, handed out annually to college football’s top running back.
While boosted by SU’s rush-dominant offense late in the season, Allen’s 2023 numbers are a good indication of his dynamic skill set. As a sophomore, the New Jersey native not only became the 13th Syracuse player to post 1,000 rushing yards in a season, but also finished as the team’s fourth-leading receiver, racking up 210 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Allen was one of the first notable names from the Dino Babers era to publicly announce his intentions to remain with the Orange under new head coach Fran Brown. Ahead of 2024, Nixon says Allen has put on 10 pounds of muscle, and is “ready to take the next step.”
“He’s a complete back,” Nixon said at camp. “He does everything well.”
Yasin Willis
Willis enters his freshman season at Syracuse after flipping his commitment from Pittsburgh last December and figures to make an immediate impact in SU’s backfield. The top recruit from New Jersey in the class of 2024 according to Rivals, he tallied 682 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior at St. Joseph Regional High School last fall. In the Orange’s spring game, Willis ran 11 times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Willis profiles as the most downhill, powerful back on the roster. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.80 seconds (as compared to Allen’s 4.43), don’t expect to see Willis in early-down or long-yardage situations. The freshman also doesn’t figure to play much of a role in Syracuse’s passing game.
Still, Nixon’s early indications from training are that Willis has a path to immediate playing time. That playing time will likely come in SU’s short-yardage and goal line packages, where the Orange can put Willis’ massive frame and physical running style to use.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise,” Nixon said of Willis. “He brings us a different style [of] running back.”
Will Nixon
Although 2024 marks Will Nixon’s fifth year in college and Syracuse is his third different school, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound back joins the Orange with two years of eligibility remaining. The son of SU offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, Will transfers to The ’Cuse from Washington, where he tallied 290 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries across two seasons with the Huskies.
Although Nixon has seen limited playing time in his career between Nebraska (2020-21) and Washington (2022-23), the clear strength of his game is his pass-catching ability. More than one-third of his total collegiate yardage has come via receptions. In fact, during his time with the Cornhuskers, Nixon was listed as a wide receiver.
Allen and Willis will likely take the lion’s share of SU’s carries, but don’t be surprised to see the Orange take advantage of the speed, hands, and versatility of their play-caller’s son in 2024.
Jaden Hart
A dominant high school weapon at Michigan City High School, Hart picked the Orange over Iowa State, Kentucky, Nebraska and Purdue, among others. The freshman, who originally committed to SU under Dino Babers, was rated three stars by 247Sports and ranked as the ninth-best recruit from Indiana.
The scouting report on Hart — a well-rounded back with both rushing and pass-catching abilities — profiles similarly to Nixon’s, which means Hart is unlikely to see consistent playing time early in his tenure. But if Hart makes the most of opportunities against opponents like Ohio and Holy Cross, he’ll have a chance to compete for reps behind Allen and Willis.
Malachi James
When James committed to Syracuse in February, he was a relatively unheard of recruit. At the time, he wasn’t listed on any major recruiting database. He held offers from Air Force, UAB, Lehigh, Delaware State, and Wagner. So how does he end up at Syracuse? Speed.
James ran a 10.1-second 100-meter dash, a New Jersey high school state record (and less than half a second shy of the world record). He played wide receiver, kick returner, and defensive back at Burlington City High School. While James doesn’t figure to appear regularly in the SU backfield, the freshman could get a few chances to spark the Orange offense with the help of his speed.