Dino Babers evaluates Syracuse's running game after losing Sean Tucker to NFL

For the past two seasons, Syracuse has based its offensive attack around running back Sean Tucker. But the former All-American is now off in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Dino Babers needs to find someone to replace the superstar running back.

But he said the question is not as simple as replacing Tucker in the backfield.

“I think the first thing is we’ve had a lot of turnover in the offensive line,” Babers said Tuesday at ACC Media Days. “Another fantastic question. We need to get those guys solidified up front. As the big guys go, we go, whether that’s the O-line or D-line. If we get that solidified, then we’ve got a host of characters that are looking forward to seeing if they can step into the shoes that Mr. Tucker left, and we wish him the best of luck with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

Tucker was one of the best running backs in college football each of the past two seasons. As a sophomore in 2021, Tucker was named to the All-ACC first team and was an unanimous All-American as he rushed his way to 1,496 rushing yards — which is the program’s single-season rushing record — and 12 touchdowns.

He didn’t keep up that torrid pace as a junior in 2022 but Tucker was still able to be an elite running back for the Orange. Tucker rushed for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In addition to Tucker, Syracuse lost three members of its offensive line from last season in left tackle Matthew Bergeron, center Carlos Vettorello and right tackle Dakota Davis.

“It always starts with the offensive line if you want to talk about the running game,” Babers said.

Tucker went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft because of a medical red flag that has ruled him out from participating in the NFL Combine. He then signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers.

However, Tucker did not participate in offseason workouts for the team and was cleared to return to practice just yesterday.

“Although he is quiet, he is a very loud worker,” Babers said. “He won’t say much, so don’t listen to that part. You wouldn’t hear it anyway, but just watch with your eyes because he is a very, very diligent, very hard worker, and I have not seen him not be able to accomplish something that he set his mind to.”