SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- As Tim Lester heads into his first full season as the Syracuse offensive coordinator, so does the hybrid position.
One of the new characteristics in the Orange offense this season will be Lester's use of these multi-dimensional athletes. H-backs are versatile players that are utilized as weapons in both the running and passing games, lining up in several different positions ranging from the slot to the backfield.
"The biggest thing about the hybrids or the express backs is that they do a lot of things," Lester said. "They play tight end sometimes, have tight end blocking roles, get to carry the ball and even play our third wide receiver a bit."
Overall, the hybrid back is tailored for a player with specific athletic attributes that combine speed, strength and good hands.
Sophomore Ervin Philips fits that bill. Philips played in all 12 games last season as a running back, finishing second on the team in all-purpose yardage with 727 yards. Going into his second season with the Orange, Philips is prepared to take on the hybrid role.
"There is a lot of moving around and formations that you have to learn, but I made sure that I did a good job taking notes on everything that [Lester] told us," Philips said. "I'm just keeping my head in the playbook and studying what he told me."
According to Lester, the hybrid position needs a player that can do it all. Luckily for Lester, the Orange already has that guy in Philips.
"You need a guy that is good at everything. Erv happens to be great at just about everything," Lester said. "It's easy to find one or the other, but it's the complete guy that is hard to find. That is what makes [Philips] special."
Another hybrid player expected to get a lot of time is junior Ben Lewis. Lewis played in 10 games last year, ranking third on the team with 24 catches and 275 receiving yards. Playing wide receiver for the past two seasons with the Orange, Lewis is also learning the hybrid position.
"There is a lot of motions and a lot of intricacies that are involved with the position," Lewis said. "We are working a lot with coach [Jake] Moreland just to perfect the techniques and hopefully become a big part of the team."
With the athleticism and knowledge of the game that Lewis has, Lester is comfortable with transitioning him from wide receiver to the H-back position.
"We wanted him to go to that spot because we know he is smart. He knows every receiver position," Lester said. "He is a guy that you can put anywhere so I knew he would fit."
In addition to Philips and Lewis, newcomers Dontae Strickland and Tyrone Perkins are also seeing reps at the hybrid spot during camp.
One of the new characteristics in the Orange offense this season will be Lester's use of these multi-dimensional athletes. H-backs are versatile players that are utilized as weapons in both the running and passing games, lining up in several different positions ranging from the slot to the backfield.
"The biggest thing about the hybrids or the express backs is that they do a lot of things," Lester said. "They play tight end sometimes, have tight end blocking roles, get to carry the ball and even play our third wide receiver a bit."
Overall, the hybrid back is tailored for a player with specific athletic attributes that combine speed, strength and good hands.
Sophomore Ervin Philips fits that bill. Philips played in all 12 games last season as a running back, finishing second on the team in all-purpose yardage with 727 yards. Going into his second season with the Orange, Philips is prepared to take on the hybrid role.
"There is a lot of moving around and formations that you have to learn, but I made sure that I did a good job taking notes on everything that [Lester] told us," Philips said. "I'm just keeping my head in the playbook and studying what he told me."
According to Lester, the hybrid position needs a player that can do it all. Luckily for Lester, the Orange already has that guy in Philips.
"You need a guy that is good at everything. Erv happens to be great at just about everything," Lester said. "It's easy to find one or the other, but it's the complete guy that is hard to find. That is what makes [Philips] special."
Another hybrid player expected to get a lot of time is junior Ben Lewis. Lewis played in 10 games last year, ranking third on the team with 24 catches and 275 receiving yards. Playing wide receiver for the past two seasons with the Orange, Lewis is also learning the hybrid position.
"There is a lot of motions and a lot of intricacies that are involved with the position," Lewis said. "We are working a lot with coach [Jake] Moreland just to perfect the techniques and hopefully become a big part of the team."
With the athleticism and knowledge of the game that Lewis has, Lester is comfortable with transitioning him from wide receiver to the H-back position.
"We wanted him to go to that spot because we know he is smart. He knows every receiver position," Lester said. "He is a guy that you can put anywhere so I knew he would fit."
In addition to Philips and Lewis, newcomers Dontae Strickland and Tyrone Perkins are also seeing reps at the hybrid spot during camp.
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