SYRACUSE - Doug Marrone's first year as head coach at Syracuse already has turned a lot of heads.

The latest depth chart released by the university has 14 new starters listed, and two have yet to arrive on campus - outside linebacker Derek Hines and kicker Shane Raupers. They were signed after spring practice.

Auburn High School graduate Dan Collier, a senior, is first on the depth chart at fullback, while fellow Auburn native Nick Lepak, a sophomore, is second at center.

But Marrone will not talk about the 14 scholarship players and two walk-ons who have left the team since he replaced Greg Robinson in December.

“Players leave the program for a lot of different reasons,” Marrone said in a video interview posted on the Syracuse web site. “We want people that want to be here at Syracuse University. We want people that enjoy playing the sport of football. The players that are here now have that in them. They're ready to represent our university, our community, our state and go out there and compete. That's the biggest thing.”

College coaches can choose not to renew a scholarship. Scholarships are renewed annually on or before July 1 heading into the academic year in which they are to be effective.

Marrone said initially he was caught off-guard by the departure of so many players but in retrospect was thankful for the timing.

“I'd rather it happen now than when we start playing during the season or in the preseason when we have players slotted in to play and then they decide that they don't want to play football anymore,” Marrone said. “That would hurt us as far as a football program. I'd rather know up front who wants to be in it and who doesn't. It's only going to help our program.”

Duke transfer quarterback Greg Paulus, another late signee, will begin preseason camp third on the depth chart behind starter Ryan Nassib and backup Cameron Dantley. Paulus, who played four seasons for the Duke basketball team and is a former high school All-American quarterback, is taking part in voluntary workouts and figures to be a contender for the starting job once preseason camp gets under way.

“He (Paulus) doesn't have as much time to make up,” Marrone said. “We'll get him involved quickly. Everyone will be guaranteed the opportunity to play. The best players will play.”

Whoever starts at quarterback will have a strong cast of tailbacks behind him in Antwon Bailey, who beat out Delone Carter for the starting spot. Both will play, as will Averin Collier.

Also listed on the first string are standout defensive tackle Arthur Jones and defensive end Jared Kimmel. Both are rehabbing from injuries, Jones a torn pectoral muscle and Kimmel arthroscopic knee surgery.

Hines, a junior college transfer, is listed as a starter at weakside outside linebacker in place of Parker Cantey, one of the players who left the team. Raupers is the only place-kicker on the depth chart.

“I want to get the foundation back, put people in the stands,” Marrone said. “My goal is to go back (to former season ticket-holders) and say, ‘Listen. This is what we're going to do. We need you to buy those tickets now. Don't wait for us to start winning because then your seats won't be as good as if you get them right now.' ”

Robinson was fired in November after going 10-37 in four seasons. He was hired by Michigan as defensive coordinator under second-year coach Rich Rodriguez.