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Junior college running back J.J. Branham announced his commitment to Syracuse via twitter on Monday. Branham played this past season at Blinn College, recording 648 yards on 107 carries for seven touchdowns and will join the Orange this upcoming fall. The 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds running back made the 2022 All Southwest Junior College Football Conference first team.
Originally a 3-star recruit coming out of high school according to 247 sports, Branham rushed for 2,013 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior at Northland High School in Ohio. Branham initially committed to Eastern Michigan in 2019 and redshirted during his freshman season. Due to the pandemic, Branham still possesses two years of eligibility.
With Branham added to the mix, Syracuse’s running back situation is complicated to say the least. Sean Tucker — Syracuse’s third all-time leading rusher and 2021 All-American — is no longer with the team after declaring for the NFL draft. Tucker was picked up by the Tampa Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. Tucker’s replacement looked to be LeQuint Allen, who shined in Syracuse’s Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl loss to Minnesota —in which Tucker sat out— registering over 150 yards from scrimmage.
There’s one problem. As of June 26, Allen was suspended by the University for two semesters after his involvement in a fight on South Campus last December. In response, Allen is suing the school. New York State Supreme Court Judge Robert Antonacci has temporarily paused the suspension until Allen’s July 19 court date.
Allen said in a statement during his formal hearing with the university’s Office of Community Standards. “I take full responsibility for all of my actions and will take any and all steps to stay here at Syracuse University,”
The only other running back on SU’s roster, aside from Allen, who recorded a carry last season is Juwaun Price, a redshirt junior who carried the ball eight times. Branham will be added to the slim running back unit equipped with Price as well as Ike Daniels, Mario Escobar and a few others.
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