Syracuse to Start Two-Sport Star as QB Against UNC
Syracuse University is set to debut true freshman quarterback Joseph Filardi in their upcoming game against North Carolina. The decision comes amid a challenging four-game losing streak for the team, following the injury of starting quarterback Steve Angeli, who suffered a torn Achilles against Clemson. Filardi will take over the role from Rickie Collins.
Joseph Filardi: A Dual-Sport Talent
Joseph Filardi, hailing from Dix Hills, New York, was initially recruited for lacrosse by head coach Gary Gait. He showcased impressive talent in high school, earning All-American honors while amassing 30 goals and 30 assists during his junior year. In his senior season of 2004, he also made a mark on the football field, throwing for 3,115 yards and achieving 43 touchdowns.
Transitioning to Football
Filardi recently shared insights about his journey on the Juice on the Cuse Podcast. He committed to Syracuse for lacrosse in September 2023 but expressed his desire to play football after visiting the campus in March 2024. He coordinated with both lacrosse and football coaches to ensure he could balance both sports.
Joining an Elite Group
With his dual-sport commitment, Filardi joins an illustrious list of Syracuse athletes who have excelled in both lacrosse and football. Notable figures on this list include:
- Jim Brown
- John Mackey
- Joe Ehrman
- Jeff Lowe
Filardi expressed pride in being part of this exclusive group, particularly alongside a legend like Jim Brown. He is eager to make his impact felt at Syracuse.
Upcoming Challenge Against North Carolina
The Syracuse football team will look to break their losing streak against North Carolina, a team struggling this season with a 2-5 record and winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Notably, North Carolina’s head coach is Bill Belichick, who has achieved significant success in the NFL with the New England Patriots but has had a difficult time translating that success to the college level.
Despite their struggles, the Tar Heels recently showed improvement, narrowly losing their last two games by a combined total of four points against California and No. 16 Virginia.
Syracuse fans are hopeful that Filardi’s debut will mark a turning point for the team as they aim to restore their momentum.
