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(Update – Tuesday, 11:53 a.m. As expected, Perkins chose Notre Dame this morning in a press conference in his library. Syracuse appeared to be the front-runner for his services, until the Irish offered over the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior-to-be had narrowed his list of finalists to ND, Syracuse, Mississippi State, Iowa and Tennessee.
“Perkins could play a number of positions for the Irish. He was used as a running back and wide receiver last season at Washington. He ran for 765 yards on 82 carries, scoring three rushing touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 176 yards and four TDs.”)
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It appears Syracuse has failed once again to get over the hump and land the four-star recruit everyone is been waiting for. According to a source close to David “Boom” Perkins, the prized South Bend prospect will commit tomorrow to Notre Dame.
Boom’s hometown school had reportedly balked at offering him a scholarship until this past Thursday, making sure his SAT scores were acceptable. But once Perkins’ grades came back, the Fighting Irish sent out the offer, and Perkins swiftly made his decision.
Though Boom’s recruitment was not nearly as dramatic or high-profile, this one hurts for Syracuse fans as much as¬†losing out on Ishaq Williams. That‚Äôs because unlike the race for Ishaq, Syracuse actually held the lead for a long time in the competition for Perkins.
Just prior to Notre Dame sending an offer, Boom’s high school coach, Antwon Jones, told The Fizz that Syracuse was the clear front-runner. SU established itself at the top of Perkins’ list, ahead of schools like Michigan State, Iowa, and Tennessee, because of Perkins’ excellent relationship with ‘Cuse assistant Tyrone Wheatley.
But it looks now as if the chance for Perkins to stay home and play at prestigious Notre Dame supersedes all relationships.
- Listen to the Fresh FizzCast: Perkins & Chad Kelly Exclusive
For as much disappointment as there is today in CNY,¬†The Fizz could see the writing on the wall. As mentioned in the above¬†FizzCast (15:00 mark), Jones told us Perkins was going to visit Syracuse and make a final decision by the end of June. When Boom turned around just a few days later, cancelled that plan, and said he‚Äôd made a decision, it didn’t smell right. Since the abrupt course change coincided with the new offer from Notre Dame, it would have been naive to be optimistic about Syracuse‚Äôs chances.
Boom will hold a press conference tomorrow morning to make an official announcement. Orange Nation’s attention now swings back to prized QB recruit Chad Kelly. The nephew of Bills legend Jim Kelly had great things to say about Marrone and coach Hackett in an exclusive interview with The Fizz.
“I probably have the best relationship with them out of any of the coaches I’ve talked to.”
Kelly’s campus visit seems to have vaulted Syracuse ahead and given the Orange a legitimate chance to get him. And this time, as opposed the recruitment of Perkins, SU has geography on its side.
Posted: Andrew Kanell
