With Syracuse football training camp a few weeks away, The Daily Orange beat writers, Chris Libonati, Jon Mettus and Matt Schneidman, will analyze one of the top 10 preseason storylines, top 10 position battles or reveal one of 10 player files each day. Check out dailyorange.com and follow along here to countdown to camp.

Chauncey Scissum and Antwan Cordy started the final game of the 2015 season side-by-side at free safety and strong safety, respectively. But it appears they’ll be battling for the starting spot at free safety come September, based on the post-spring depth chart that has Cordy slotted as the starter ahead of Scissum.

Cordy was second on the team with 68 tackles (50 solo) last season, including 12 for a loss — an SU single-season record for a defensive back.  He had two interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Scissum was fourth on the team with 43 tackles (27 solo), had 0.5 tackles for a loss and broke up one pass. He started the last seven games of the year at free safety because of an injury to beginning-of-the-year starter Rodney Williams.

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MORE PRESEASON POSITION BATTLES:

• No. 8: Third linebacker — Jonathan Thomas vs. Ted Taylor
• No. 9: Second outside receiver — Alvin Cornelius vs. Amba Etta-Tawo vs. Jamal Custis
• No. 10: Second cornerback — Cordell Hudson vs. Juwan Dowels

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Though Cordy is the front-runner for the spot, especially considering his experience and production, Scissum’s size might keep him in the race. The Tampa-2 defense that the Orange will play next season usually requires larger, hard-hitting defensive backs. The safeties play deep zones and have chances for big hits over the middle on balls in the air, along with the pressure of open-field tackles.

Courtesy of Jim Damaske | The Tampa Bay Times

Scissum stands at 6 feet 2 inches and 201 pounds while Cordy is just 5 feet 8 inches and 175 pounds. The average size of a Division I FBS safety in 2012 was a fraction more than 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, according to athleticscholarships.net.

There’s probably still some flexibility between the two safety spots as the new coaching staff decides where each players fits best.

Published on July 24, 2016 at 10:44 am

Contact Jon: jrmettus@syr.edu | @jmettus