Syracuse has added an eighth-year senior linebacker who could play a key role in Fran Brown’s second season.
David Reese transferred to the Orange from Cal after a college career that began in fall 2018. The veteran linebacker brings experience to a program with high expectations this season.
The Athletic named Reese to its All-Geezer team, detailing his unique path through college football.
“Reese spent his first five years at Florida, where he managed to go four seasons without using any eligibility because of a freshman redshirt (2018), medical redshirts (2019 and 2021) and the free COVID-19 year (2020),” The Athletic reported. “Then, in the fifth season, he notched two tackles.”
“He finally made his mark with 11 sacks in two seasons at Cal, then made what might be an unprecedented 2,800-mile transfer within the same conference.”
Reese’s production came late in his college career. He recorded just two tackles during his time at Florida across five seasons.
His breakthrough came at Cal, where he totaled 11 sacks over two seasons. The linebacker made the cross-country move within the ACC when he transferred to Syracuse.
The Orange are counting on veteran leadership as Brown builds on his first season. Reese represents the type of experienced player who could help Syracuse reach its goals this fall.
His journey from rarely playing at Florida to becoming a productive pass rusher at Cal shows how players can develop over extended college careers. Now he gets one final opportunity to make an impact in the ACC.
