Eye for an Eye: Syracuse Battles FIU for LB Duo, Crosses NY’s Dalton Off List

The Fizz’s Dave Van Moffaert is one of the most tapped in sources for SU football recruiting news. Until Signing Day, DVM is working the phones, and posting his predictions, rankings and buzz on how the recruiting class takes shape. Here’s his first two installments of the “Scoop.”  Part I - Part II - Part III

With exactly one week until National Signing Day, SU’s class of ’12 has started to finalize after reeling in two JUCO defensive ends in Zian Jones and Mark Garrick and Milton High School’s Josh Manley.

• SU battles FIU for a pair of LB’s

The Orange was also on the end of a recruiting loss when Florida LB Leroy Owens de-committed from SU and gave a verbal to FIU. Syracuse has found itself in a linebacker war with the Golden Panthers, trying to deliver a counter punch by nabbing Haines City (FL) Josh Glanton switch his verbal from FIU to SU.

Glanton visited the the Hill this weekend and The Fizz caught him after the visit. He was impressed with the campus.

“I like how it was set up with everything being in the center of the campus. All the buildings and classes are right around each other and you don’t have to go far to get places.”

Academics continue to be a key component for Josh as he makes his final decisions. He originally was looking at Sports Management, but came away thinking about a different department at SU.

“I really like the communications department and school (Newhouse). I think I would try to study that, it is a real nice school.”

JG also liked the athletic facilities SU had to offer. While major upgrades on the football facilities remains a top priority for the program, SU has made some minor changes that have impressed some recruits. Glanton said the weight room stood out to him.

The Florida product’s least favorite part of the trip?

“The weather. But to be honest that isn’t that big of a deal. It was actually wasn’t that bad.”

Not surprising a Florida kid didn’t fall in love with the gloomy battleship gray skies of Central New York, but it is good to know it won’t make or break his decision.

Josh said there’s no leader at this point between FIU and SU. He is going to take his time, and The Fizz guesses he doesn’t make a decision until NSD.

• Dalton Crossan is off SU’s radar

You can cross Long Island RB Dalton Crossan (North Sachem HS, NY) off the list. The Fizz talked to Crossan’s HC, Dave Falco, who said the Orange never extended an official offer to his back.

“Syracuse and Purdue were the two (FBS) schools that showed the most interest in Dalton, but neither of them gave him a scholarship. He is on their boards, but there are players in front of him for those schools”

Falco said that both the Boilermakers and Orange have the Danny Woodhead clone down the pecking order as a “B” or “C” option, and might offer Crossan if other recruits fall through before NSD. He hinted that Purdue is more likely to offer Dalton.

He also has offers from big time lacrosse programs such as Notre Dame, but Falco said his back wants to go the football route.

“He has been offered a ride at New Hampshire and at Stony Brook at this moment, and he has lacrosse offers but he is set on playing football.”

While DC doesn’t have big offers, The Fizz believes he is still a talented player that could help the Orange. Last season, Dalton had a record-breaking season for North Sachem, compiling 2,186 yards on the ground and 35 touchdowns. He had 38 touchdowns overall (pick-6, punt return and reception) which was a single season school record. Dalton was also the co-winner of the Hansen Award, given to the top player in Suffolk County, and he was named to the All-Division, All-County, All-Long Island, All-Metro, All-Patch and All-State this year.

There are only a few spots left open for the ’12 class and there’s still a few questions with a week to go. Follow The Fizz on Twitter for the latest National Signing Day news. Wayne Morgan remains the top target for the Orange, but the “Brooklyn Bullet” looks to be getting late interest from Penn State. Syracuse commit Harold Brantley (The “Hershey Hulk) is now taking a late visit to Mizzou. Stressful times for Doug Marrone to hang onto his verbals for just one more week.

Posted: Dave Van Moffaert