It was a huge deal this offseason when Syracuse Orange freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. arrived at SU and was proclaimed by head coach Fran Brown to be a two-way player.
Except, now it doesn't look quite so unusual.
Syracuse is undertaking an odd approach to the idea of two-way players: In an era of specialization, the Orange are embracing versatility.
Brown spoke with reporters on Monday and said that Jamie Tremble will play both tight end and linebacker in Week 2 against UConn. He was just a TE against Tennessee in Syracuse's season-opening loss.
Local TV reporter Ashley Wenskoski added: "(Brown) said to expect multiple other Syracuse players to play both sides of the ball this week against UConn."
Samuel only played defense in the season opener. He was an every-down cornerback despite having turned just 17 in April.
The Volunteers went at Samuel early and often, targeting him seven times, the most by far of any of their throws toward an SU defensive back.
It's not clear whether Brown was referring to Samuel in addition to Tremble, although the Orange have suggested that in the early going, they'd rather have the freshman focused on one side of the ball.
Syracuse certainly seems to think there's a benefit to having guys play both ways.
The Huskies are a classic conference rival, although that's no longer been the case since SU left for the ACC.
Now it's just an early-season nonconference game in which the Orange will try to bounce back. And it seems like they've got unusual two-way hopes for achieving that rebound.
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