Syracuse, N.Y. -- Jamie Tremble was a versatile athlete at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, Georgia.
His prowess in football, basketball and track earned him a spot on the 2024 247Sports 'freaks' list.
Taking on added responsibility is in his nature as an athlete, which is why the Syracuse football tight end is accepting his added duties as a linebacker with enthusiasm.
Tremble said he was excited about playing offense and defense for the Orange when Syracuse head coach Fran Brown asked him to contribute on both sides of the ball in a conversation this summer.
"Coming from him and that he has trust in me and that he wants to see me succeed and get on the field, it meant everything to me," Tremble said Tuesday after practice.
"I was all for it."
Tremble earned his football stripes as a receiver, winning the Georgia Region 7-AAA Offensive Player of the Year award with 55 catches, 890 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior year.
He was the highest-ranked recruit in Syracuse's Class of 2024.
Tremble also played on defense in high school as an outside linebacker, collecting 16 tackles along with an interception and a sack in his senior season.
Now, Brown has inserted Tremble as the team's strong-side linebacker, citing strong stats that make the 6-foot-4, 222-pound athlete too irresistible not to be on the field more.
"He ran 22 miles per hour on a GPS," Brown said. "He can jump 39 inches with his vertical. He ran a 4.5. I just figure I need that freak athlete on the field."
Tremble made his two-way debut on Saturday against Tennessee, making one reception for 1 yard and playing 18 snaps on defense.
Tremble said the transition back to defense has been smooth so far.
Tremble said he had equal love for playing tight end and linebacker in high school.
"It wasn't a crazy adjustment in college," Tremble said. "I think I was pretty skilled at both pretty equally. Whatever my team needed to succeed, I was ready to do."
Tremble bides his time in each meeting room based on what the coaches need on a particular day.
"It's definitely easier switching from offense to defense, at least playbook wise," Tremble said. "It wasn't a crazy adjustment because it wasn't too overloading on defense. It wasn't as bad as people might think it is."
Now that Tremble has seen the view from both sides and has been tasked with helping the defense get better, how do they accomplish that?
"Being physical," Tremble said. "Especially up front. Getting pressure on the quarterback. Everyone pursuing the ball. Go back to basics. Know what you need to do. The biggest thing with tackling is are you willing to tackle or not willing to tackle. Sometimes things happen and guys miss tackles, but all you can do is go to the next play."
Freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. earned buzz as an anointed two-way player by Brown this season, but Tremble beat him to the punch, as Samuel Jr. only played on defense against Tennessee.
Brown said Monday more players will be seeing both sides of the field this year.
Tremble stands ready to play tight end or linebacker against Connecticut and appreciates that his coach is leaving no stone unturned.
"I think the biggest thing is finding more people that can help out on the team," Tremble said. "Anywhere people can help out where there is a gap to fill. If we can get people in different spots to help us win, that's really the best thing you can do as a coach."
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