Parris Bennett impresses in battle for 3rd linebacker spot

Parris Bennett has slid into the third linebacker spot alongside sophomore Zaire Franklin and junior Marqez Hodge.When Syracuse coaches were recruiting Parris Bennett, his long arms kept coming up as a point of emphasis.

Bennett’s “well above average” wingspan is what gives him an advantage while blitzing, his high school coach at University of Detroit Jesuit (Michigan), Oscar Olejniczak, said.

“Whoever’s blocking him, it helps keep them off of (Bennett), so he’s able to keep them separated from his body,” Olejniczak said, “and be able to use his athleticism once he gets off of them because he has separation.”

This preseason, Bennett has secured the strong-side linebacker position for…