NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The battle for starting quarterback is over for the Syracuse Orange as they have named transfer Steve Angeli as the starter for the season opener against Tennessee. Angeli and recruit Rickie Collins Jr. had a tough battle this summer, and each has big shoes to fill after the Orange bounced back quickly in 2024. It took most of the summer to make the call, but was it the right one for the Orange?
What it seems to have come down to is experience. For all intents and purposes, head coach Fran Brown has stated that it was a close competition. He’s also keeping the faith that Collins can come in and make plays for SU, stating he’s “only one play away.” You can take that as coach speak if you want, but Brown comes off as a no-nonsense, right-to-the-point guy. So far in his recruiting process, players have opened up to the upstate NY school as a place where they can learn and grow as players. You don’t get that with a coach who’s giving a half-hearted pitch to these players. So when Brown says Collins is “close,” it doesn’t seem like he’s politicking for favor.
Brown has said of Angeli that he’s a leader in the room, and players built chemistry with him instantly. That’s not to say they haven’t with Collins as well, but again, experience is key. How much does Angeli have command over the offense vs Collins? Does he have better ball placement with his receivers that allows for plays to be made after the catch, vs just getting the ball out on time and completing passes? Does he have the playbook down better? It could be as simple as Angeli fitting an offense that already developed a style in 2024 and played better to his strengths.
There are a ton of questions to be asked about why Angeli was chosen over Collins. The duo could be dueling it out in practices, matching each other stride for stride, and could have come down to the intangibles. “Trust the process” might seem like a tired cliche for sports teams with setbacks, but “Trust Fran Brown” might fit better so far at Syracuse. With the success that the Orange had last season, so far it seems he’s making the right calls that have led to a quick turnaround.
With that being said, hopefully Collins sticks around for Syracuse. Some opportunities could lead to his growth as a player and help him develop his professional career. Syracuse doesn’t have an easy schedule this year, and any sign of struggles could lead to a switch. Football is ever-evolving as the season progresses. Rickie Collins just needs to continue to build his game and take advantage should the opportunity come up. If coach Brown says he’s “close” for the Syracuse Orange, I’d believe him.
