The Fizz has learned that after an official campus visit this past weekend, Farrell Area High School offensive and defensive lineman Rob Trudo has verbally committed to Syracuse. He’s measured at 6-5, 262 lbs, and is rated as either a 2 or 3 star commit by the scouting websites.
Syracuse football had a boatload of recruits on hand watching as it got obliterated 45-14 by Pitt. That had Team Fizz
wondering what kind of effect the loss would have on recruiting. For at least one player, it seems the loss meant nothing.
Trudo has scholarship offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Iowa State, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse. Pitt apparently swooped in at the last moment with an offer, while SU was the first program to place one on the table.
The initial interest from the Orange meant a lot to Trudo. The Fizz spoke to the lineman after he traveled back from CNY. He said he felt a connection with the coaching staff and he’s bought into the direction that Doug Marrone is taking Syracuse.
“I believe in what Coach Marrone is trying to do, turning Syracuse into a winning program. The undergrads there, the freshmen and sophomores, I spent some time with them over the weekend. They believe that too. I just wanted to be a part of something special.”
Trudo’s high school coach Jarrett Samuels talked to The Fizz about the moments leading up to the senior offensive lineman’s decision to commit. Trudo was so excited about Syracuse that he couldn’t even wait to get home to call the
University.
“He was halfway home and he called me to tell me that he was going to pull over and call them, and verbally commit to Syracuse.”
Since it clearly wasn’t SU’s effort on the field Saturday that convinced Trudo to be an Orange man, what was it?
Coach Samuels: “He was very impressed with the engineering department. He’s very academic. He loves academics and he loves engineering, so that really sold him.”
“Most kids would probably go to a Pitt, West Virginia, those types of schools. A kid like Robert, he’s very grounded.”
Aah, so in other words, Syracuse University is for the student athletes out there that place as much emphasis on
the “student” part of themselves as they do the “athlete.” And Robert Trudo is that type of person.
A nice sentimental story, right?
Yeah, I can see you grinning about your school’s newest commit. You’re happy that he’s here for the so-called “right reasons.”
Then again you also like that he’s the 39th ranked player in his state, according to Rivals.
And the fact that he’s 6-5, 262 lbs – that’s okay too. You’ll take it.
Posted: Andrew Kanell
