Syracuse, N.Y. -- The chase to replace standout linebackers Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett began this spring and has only intensified with time.
After emphasizing terminology and technique in March and April, a group that includes inexperienced upperclassmen, junior college additions and true freshmen hustled through daily 6:45 a.m. runs and lifting sessions this summer to improve their conditioning.
And through the first two weeks of preseason camp, the renewed competition has been presented by the coaching staff as wide open.
"So far in camp, we've been getting equal reps, all the linebackers," junior Andrew Armstrong said after practice on Friday.