Despite what many Orange fans may feel after Ishaq Williams chose Notre Dame, this recruiting season has been very positive for the Orange. This would go from successful to wildly successful with the potential commitment of Kevin McReynolds.
If you look specifically at the offensive side of the ball, SU has added commits at all positions of need, including multiple guys at some spots.
Prepare for The Fizz’s acclaimed National Signing Day coverage two weeks from now. On Feb. 2nd Team Fizz will have you covered with live blogging and interviews with the commits all day long. Also, cast your Syracuse vote in the Volvo Big East Challenge. Grass roots movement – it’s go time.
Quarterback: While we all were impressed (and “sh*t in our pants” shocked) with Ryan Nassib¬†in the Pinstripe Bowl victory, it’s still undetermined who will take the starting job in 2011. While it‚Äôs Nassib‚Äôs job to lose, there are those within the program who thought Johnny Kinder should have been the starter this year. Kinder will have the opportunity to put some pressure on Nassib to win the job in spring practice. The Orange have added Ashton Broyld at the QB position for a little added depth, and while he‚Äôs not nearly ready to play now, he has skills. He should be ready by the end of the Nassib/Kinder era.
Running Back: Lose a 5‚Äô10‚Äù, 215-pound running back? No sweat. As Delone Carter moves on as SU’s goal line bowling ball, Adonis Ameen-Moore is coming east to the Syracuse backfield. Ameen-Moore will join proven commodity Antwon Baily, and speedster Prince-Tyson Gully to provide a nice arsenal of toys for Nathaniel Hackett to play with.
Wide Reciever: Clearly this was a problem for the Orange last year. For most of the year Syracuse’s best receiver was Van Chew. No offense to Van, but at only 180 lbs, he shouldn‚Äôt be a #1 in the Big East. He simply can‚Äôt take the beating necessary for top target in a BCS conference (evidenced by his absence for the latter part of the season and the Pinstripe Bowl). In 2011, WR should be a position of strength for the Orange. No, that‚Äôs not a typo.
Pinstripe Bowl superstar Marcus Sales, Alec Lemon, and Chew are all back and will be more effective with a year of experience under their belts, but it’s the recruits who have everyone drooling. Last week the Orange got word that Brandon Reddish is on his way from Brooklyn, and don‚Äôt forget Defarrel Davis. According to Scout.com, Davis is the highest rated Orange commit, and he‚Äôs going to play immediately. The 6‚Äô4‚Äù, 190 lbs reciever is a 4-star recruit and transferring in from Nassau Community College. If he adds a little bulk, he could be enormous for SU next season.
(UPDATE: Due to brainfartage, on the original post I failed to remember that Aaron Weaver’s appeal for a medical redshirt was denied earlier this year and thus he will not return next season. Still a lot of depth at receiver with Dorian Graham now being the 5th wheel in the equation below along with some other recruits. Apologies and thanks for those who pointed that out.)
Overall: Lineman Rob Trudo has confirmed he’s still coming to Syracuse after a visit to Michigan, On the defensive side of the ball the Orange has mulitple 3-star calibur recruits. Some SU players have told me there are defensive backs that didn’t see the field last year already better than some of the guys who did get playing time. Clearly the biggest losses are named Smith and Hogue, but as we sit exactly two weeks from Signing Day, the 2011 season is starting to come into focus for the Orange. And it looks good.
Posted: Craig Hoffman
