Scott Shafer said Wednesday that he wasn’t happy with Syracuse’s kick returning last season, and pegged freshman running back Ervin Philips as the potential solution. 

“He’s an excellent football player,” Shafer said. “He has a lot of similar traits to Brisly (Estime) — quick feet, great vision, the ability to get out of breaks.”

Estime emerged as one of SU’s primary return options last season, but will be taking more reps in the offense and punt return in the upcoming year. 

That leaves a spot for Philips as one of the team’s kick returners, a position the Orange didn’t list in its two-deep depth chart that was released on Monday. After being discussed by Shafer and teammates throughout training camp, Philips didn’t crack the depth chart as a running back while  Prince-Tyson Gulley, Adonis Ameen-Moore, George Morris II and Devante McFarlane all did. 

Shafer said that Philips’ athleticism would allow him to not just play tailback, but also cornerback, nickelback and slot receiver for SU. Because of his age and potential, the head coach added that he wasn’t always sure if using Philips so soon was the best idea. 

But he wanted to play the best possible team against Villanova in the Carrier Dome on Friday night.

“When Brisly was back there we made some strides, so I want to give Erv Philips a chance to go back there and do his thing,” Shafer said. “I think he’s going to be a great football player for us and I think he can help us right away.”