Tight end poised to be Syracuse football's deepest position group in 2024

Syracuse football has a plethora of offensive weapons at tight end.

This season, the tight ends are shaping up to be the deepest and most versatile position group on the Syracuse Orange roster. Anchored by a returning star and supported by a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, this unit is poised to be a major force on offense.

At the forefront of this group is Oronde Gadsden II, who missed most of last season due to a Lisfranc injury sustained in Week 2 against Western Michigan. Gadsden underwent surgery in mid-September, beginning a 10- to 12-month recovery. After a second procedure in May to remove screws from his right foot, he made an impressive return to practice. Before his injury, Gadsden was an All-ACC first-team performer and an All-American candidate. Although listed as a tight end, Gadsden is a dynamic offensive weapon. His resilience and leadership have been on full display throughout his recovery process.

Gadsden's chemistry with quarterback Kyle McCord has been evident in practice, as the two have quickly made an on-field rapport. His return to full strength has been a highly anticipated development for the Orange offense, with coaches and teammates alike excited about the impact he'll make this season.

Backing up Gadsden is Dan Villari, a fan favorite known for his grit and utility. Villari made his mark last season, particularly in the game against Pittsburgh, where he racked up 154 yards and a touchdown, adding another 12 yards passing from the Wildcat formation. A true dual-threat tight end, Villari excels as both a receiver and a blocker. He's seen consistent reps in practice, further solidifying his role within the unit.

Coach Johnson has been vocal about the strengths of the tight end group, especially praising the impact of his top two players, Gadsden and Villari. However, Johnson is pushing the unit to refine their skills even further, particularly in the blocking arena.

"We're really focusing on the run game aspect. I know they can catch balls, but we've been focusing on the run a lot and getting them to become better blockers," said Johnson.

Also contributing to the depth of this group is 6-foot-7, 253-pound Maximilian Mang known for his pass protection prowess. His size and ball skills make him a valuable specialist on the team. Although Mang has been a dependable backup in past seasons, Gadsden's return might mean fewer chances for him on the field this year. But that hasn't affected his enthusiasm. Mang's commitment to the team is clear, and he's proud of the unit strength that the group has shown in the preseason.

Mang is embracing his role and is excited about the group's chemistry. "It doesn't matter who's in the game, if it's me, Jamie, OG—whichever combination—we all work to the point where we can do whatever we need to do to get a successful offensive play. I think just with that versatility —everybody can do everything—that's what brings us forward," said Mang.

He also reflected on the offseason work that has helped him and the tight end room improve. "I mean, the new strength stuff definitely helped, like working on the body muscles, just having a different approach to it. Then different drills, especially with Coach Johnson, and having OG in the room and Dan again. We just keep on building what we already built over the last few years.

"Now, I think it just starts clicking. Everybody knows what they're doing. We all found we have a role, and we know what we need to do," said Mang.

Incoming freshman Jamie Tremble is another intriguing prospect in this group. Tremble is an athletic tight end with significant potential to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. His blend of size, speed, and ball skills positions him as a key contributor in the future, though a redshirt year might be strategically beneficial to maximize his development.

The tight ends' depth gives the Orange offense flexibility, allowing the coaching staff to tailor their schemes to create mismatches throughout the season. The chemistry within the tight end room and their connection with McCord off the field have been pivotal in offensive productivity on the field.

"I think we've got a funny guy," said Mang. "We met him [McCord] in the summer, when we all did our workouts together and extra stuff afterward—it just definitely helped out. And now in camp, it just it starts clicking more and more every day."

He summed up his personal goals for the team this season with a straightforward approach.

"Just do the best job," Mang said. "Win every game by one point. We just need to score one more point than every other team, and then we'll see what happens from here. Just do the best job."