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SAN DIEGO — In the new age of college football, bowl season comes with its fair share of absences. The timing of the transfer portal and opt-outs from players guaranteeing their health before the NFL Draft often empties rosters before the 13th game.

Despite most of Syracuse’s roster sticking together for the Holiday Bowl, the Orange’s defense was without multiple prominent figures. Brown said in his pre-bowl press conference Thursday that the bowl game is the start of the 2025 season. The lineups on Friday fit the idea.

With key pieces of SU’s 2024 secondary like Jayden Bellamy, Jaeden Gould and Marcellus Barnes Jr. all transferring or in the portal, the Orange looked to the future. Jalil Martin, who played just six snaps all season, logged 50 snaps. The redshirt sophomore notched a second-half interception and made multiple key plays throughout the day, helping Syracuse (10-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a 52-35 win over Washington State (8-5, 0-1 Pac-12).

Martin, along with freshman Ibn McDaniels, stepped up when their numbers were called, helping the Orange to their first bowl victory since 2018.

“The way we practice, there are so many reps that guys are getting a lot of reps,” Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said postgame. “So when it’s their time to go, they should be ready to play.”

The absences created from the transfer portal spurred a testing of SU’s defensive-back depth with injuries to two consistent defenders further pushing the need. Safeties Devin Grant and Berry Buxton III, who combined for 981 snaps on the season, were both inactive.

SU still had some of its defensive mainstays. Alijah Clark, Duce Chestnut, Marlowe Wax and Justin Barron all played most of the snaps. Martin and McDaniels rotated in at the cornerback positions and needed to blend in quickly with a deadly weapon like WSU’s Kyle Williams on the outside.

Luckily for the Orange, they’ve been preparing against top targets every day all season. Brown said Martin, primarily slot corner, often matches up with wide receiver Trebor Peña in practice. Peña led the Orange in receptions (84) and receiving touchdowns (nine) in 2024.

The constant matchup perfectly suited Martin to step up when he got his chance.

“Being able to stick (Peña) in practice, we’re comfortable with you going to stick other guys in the game,” Brown said. “Just trust your training and everything will work itself out.”

While getting his feet wet, Martin eventually made his presence known with a big-time hit. With just over six minutes left in the second quarter, the Cougars set up for a shotgun snap from Syracuse’s 46-yard line.

Washington State quarterback Zevi Eckhaus scrambled left and delivered a pass to wide receiver Carlos Hernandez. Martin quickly shifted inside the numbers and delivered a punishing hit on Hernandez.

The defensive back has been a part of SU’s roster for the past two seasons. A three-star prospect from Illinois, Martin redshirted in 2022 at Nebraska before transferring to the Orange.

He contributed mostly on special teams in his first season with Syracuse, recording five tackles. This season, he appeared in just two games before the bowl.

Martin, despite little playing time, embodies the environment Brown thrives to create.

“We had a next-man-up mentality our entire year. That’s just what we’re about,” Brown said.

Jalil Martin makes a strong tackle on Washington State receiver Carlos Hernandez in the second quarter of the Holiday Bowl. Martin recorded four tackles and an interception in the game. Leonardo Eriman | Asst. Video Editor

The mindset spreads throughout SU’s roster. The defensive backs, however, are Brown’s specialty. After all, his last stop before coming to Syracuse was leading Georgia’s national championship pedigree unit.

Nine cornerbacks have played at least seven snaps in 2024 for the Orange. The depth allows players like Martin to shine when given a chance.

As the Orange pulled away late against Washington State, Martin made the biggest play of his career. Less than a minute into the final quarter, Syracuse held a 42-28 lead — its largest of the night at that point. On first-and-10 from SU’s 43, Eckhaus executed a designed roll out to his left and attempted to find Williams along the sideline.

Martin, while starting in the slot, backpedaled to his zone in front of Williams and jumped the route. The 6-foot-3 defensive back leaped into the air and snared the ball on his right shoulder, giving the ball back to Kyle McCord and Co.

SU added a field goal on the ensuing drive and sealed the game through the final minutes. Martin finished the game with four total tackles, playing the seventh-most snaps on the defense and recording a 70.3 Pro Football Focus grade — the fifth-highest mark.

The numbers all fell in the young secondary’s favor. Yes, Williams broke out for a Holiday Bowl record 172 receiving yards. But McDaniels recorded a tackle in just his second college game. Greg Delaine saw an increased snap count too, notching a career-high five tackles. Playing in a primetime, meaningful game can be difficult for inexperienced players, but SU’s didn’t flinch.

“You just got to be able to make some plays and have fun and just go out there like it’s practice,” Brown said.

Adding to players receiving increased action Friday, Dion Wilson Jr. and Dennis Jaquez Jr. saw their snap counts go up. Wilson Jr. returned for the first time this season against Washington State after initially looking to be done for the year. The defensive tackle rotated in and out, totaling three tackles.

Jaquez Jr. helped fill the absences of Fadil Diggs and Chase Simmons, who were both unavailable due to injury. The edge rusher missed three games in 2024 with an injury and totaled only two sacks entering the game. He turned in his best performance of the season against the Cougars with five tackles and a sack.

As Brown said, Friday marked the beginning of the 2025 season for the Orange. SU is set to lose multiple players who’ve been pillars of the unit the last few seasons. The transfer portal has depleted some of its secondary depth. Syracuse will likely replenish some parts through the portal, too.

But performances from new faces and possible returners in the Holiday Bowl provided reassurance for the Orange and their next generation of their defense already within the program.

Published on December 28, 2024 at 10:18 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky