FizzCast: Gus Edwards Exclusive on Choosing Syracuse & Zach Allen’s Role
D.A. | Jul 11, 2012 | Comments 23
MSG Varsity
Yesterday morning, Tottenville RB Augustus Edwards changed the outlook of Syracuse’s football class of 2013. Crediting Doug Marrone and Coach John Anselmo, Gus chose the Orange, and it was a no-brainer. The Fizz caught up with Edwards on the day of his announcement, who admitted it was Syracuse all the way.
“[Syracuse] was #1 for a while. Then I got to the point where I knew I could trust the coaches because they had been recruiting me the hardest. When everything came down, I just had to pick the right place for me, and that place was Syracuse.”
The tailback rushed for nearly 1,500 yards this past year, and couldn’t be any more excited about joining SU, but owes another class of 2013 recruit some credit.
The X-Factor down the final stretch of Edwards’ recruitment was none other than Texas QB Zach Allen. Let that sink in. The future Elite 11 competitor told The Fizz he made it his mission to make sure Augustus was all sold on SU.
“I’ve talked with him a lot [recently]. We’re just building a good relationship, and we really feel like we can get things going at Syracuse.”
Allen has become a star this summer for Orange Nation. The Temple HS product became the rare SU commit from the football-crazy state of Texas. He also became the first Orange quarterback ever invited to the prestigious Elite 11 Camp as well. He has been lauded by national media and Elite 11 coach Trent Dilfer. Now he has been connecting with current SU targets to convince them to come to the Hill. How could any player be more valuable without ever playing a down for Syracuse? Allen mentioned how he envisions Syracuse emerging as an underdog over the next handful of seasons in the ACC, with himself and Augustus as instrumental pieces.
Who wouldn’t look forward to handing off the pigskin to the bruising 6’2” 220 lb. Edwards? Gus will benefit from an offense where Marrone likes to mix up the carries. Last season, Doug would occasionally balance the amount of snaps between guys like Antwon Bailey, Prince Tyson-Gulley, Adonis Ameen-Moore and Jerome Smith.
The next step for Edwards may be to make sure there is a menacing pass-rusher on the other side of the ball. Enter Ebenezer Ogundeko. Ebo attended Gus’ press conference on Staten Island yesterday, and the two will be visiting the SU campus this weekend. Edwards knows how important this is in possibly landing Ogundeko later this month.
“[Ebenezer] is on good terms with Syracuse. Maybe I can recruit him a little. I hope we get to play at Syracuse together.”
The Fizz caught up with Ebenezer as well, who said he was proud of his friend Augustus, and happy to see another NYC product commit to Syracuse. The same goes for Edwards, who wants to see that pipeline continue.
“It’s shows that NYC has talent. Syracuse is recruiting us, and they want to be the school to put us on that next level of football. I hope a lot of kids will follow and that SU will keep recruiting this area. I just want to be the next big thing out of NYC.”
Not only is Augustus the latest example of a NYC prospect rallying behind the “Syracuse cause,” coveting the ability of playing with former city teammates and competition, but his Head Coach at Tottenville, Jim Munson, also echoes the sentiment. He enjoys watching some of the city’s best talent make their way up to the Dome . And yesterday, he got to watch one of his own head north.
“I felt good about Syracuse. [Augustus] is real comfortable with Coach Marrone and Coach Anselmo. Other than West Point, [SU] is the only other Division 1 school in our state, so it’s important always to give [Syracuse] the opportunity to have a shot at our kids. It’s a good fit.”
And much to Munson’s liking, Marrone and company will have one more crack at Ebenezer when he and Augustus visit Syracuse this weekend. But for right now, part 1 of the potential package deal is sweet enough for Orange Nation to enjoy.
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
Filed Under: FB Recruiting • Featured
I can’t say it enough, Z.A. is not only going to be a great player and team leader, but also one of the great embassadors of SU and SU football.
Completely agree SeattleOrange! This kid is IT. Can’t wait to see him in the Dome!
Having multiple articles a day draws more of my interest to this site especially when they are both this good
I think he’s going to be a real bruising back w/some speed everything we expected AAM to be!!!we can line AE and AAM up in a sort of running shotgun and dare people to stop us…can you imagine how tired opposing DLs would be trying to stop them?then mix it up w/a scatback and lookout!!!
Do I hear PUNISHING…
Do I see the #44 on edwards. That would be awesome
#5 on Allen. Let’s go orange baby
Allen wears #12 in HS and has said Colt McCoy was one of his favorite players(also #12) so maybe he inherits that from Nassib? As for the 44, I don’t see Gus getting that but hey he wears 5 and that will be available after Sales graduates.
And I have to say Fizz has been awesome lately, keep up the great work guys and fizz posters!
Russ, I think that is the game plan for a lot of positions this year and years to come. That plan being run so many different and rested players at the opponent from all positions that they get tired and can’t keep up. I see that happening at DL,LB,secondary, WR, and RB this year. For the first time in awhile SU has depth and athletes at those positions. Very excited and optimistic about the Orange!
Yeah I’ve noticed the same thing…talented depth is the key..wearing them down..Im liking what seems to be going on…depth w/wear down more talented roster’s…all the while slowly increasing our own depth…also excited and optimistic!!
Quality JC kids, quality transfers, quality recruits…. looking good!!!! Bigger, faster, stronger….certainly applies: from our Qbs to Dbs
i beleive this young runner made the right choice, and i don’t think he’ll regret it. go orange
We need EO… Get him for us GUS.
Competition, competition and more competition. It makes everyone better.
Great stuff as always guys, and thanks for coming back. It’s been a fun last few weeks for Cuse football, and it’s only just heating up with Ebo’s big decision in a couple weeks.
Russell:
Love it. Little wish bone or two back set out in shotgun, option read. Marrone and company are definitely adding the right weapons to build a more creative offense.
Fizz what are u waiting for break this kid down
There has to be dirt on him u can make public amd if there isnt just do the fizz norm and make something up.
Your funny Tebow but ur in the wrong place..want a real laugh?Look in the mirror..
Tebow:
I would love to see you compile a list of all the times the Fizz has published “dirt” or made up stories. You’ll come up with nothing.
Go ahead, what are you waiting for?
Ishaq
Takes a statement rubs with it and puts it in the context they want so it becones a story
I like the enthusiasm of thinking about brining the 44 back but I mean come on he’s a 3 Star RB from NY I mean that’s great don’t get me wrong I’m sure he’ll be a good player but were talking about the likes of Jim Brown and Ernie Davis here when You bring in the 44 talk I don’t know if he will be THAT good.
His size and speed might resemble Jim Brown and his home state but they don’t make them that tough anymore!!!Doubt we’ll ever see the like’s of JB again!!
@ Kevin Fitzgerald,I want to give a thanks to you anf the Fizz for the article on John Raymon. It was informatative and it gave me all the information that I needed to know.
I’ve never read anything negative on any recruit or their family members on this web site. Please keep up the good work. I guess that your not going to become a lawyer and represent Bogogo in court with his copyright infringement case.
@ Chris; isn’t hindsight is a wonderful thing? I don’t believe that they had the rating system in place when Jim,Ernie, Larry,and Floyd Little were playing football. History tells us all that all of them would have been 5*’s or higher,but back when they where playing I really don’t know. We need to remember that they didn’t want Ernie playing in the championship game or staying in the same hotel with the rest of the team in Texas.
@ tebow; what can I say other than you just need to go away. I really enjoy reading what the Fizz is reporting and what other people are writing about them on a daily basis. I MEAN THAT IS EVERYONE’SEXCEPT FOR YOURS.
So please do us all a favor and just go away.
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