With Chandler Jones declaring for the NFL draft, and losing defensive line mainstays such as seniors Mikhail Marinovich and Torrey Ball, Syracuse has its wish list of big boys for next fall. One of those could be two-star DT Yoshoub Timms out of Fort Walton Beach High in Florida. SU has offered him a scholarship, and with his size (very comparable to Deon Goggins), Timms (6’2” 270 lbs) is definitely needed. “Shoubie” is extremely quick and gets to the quarterback using his blazing speed. Head coach Mike Owens spoke to The Fizz, and stressed how well rounded Timms is.
“He is very athletic, and with his speed and versatility, he can play inside with his size and play off the edge too. He has a great work ethic and his athletic ability makes him a pretty good prospect.”
Timms can easily shift from the inside of the line to the outside and be equally as effective at both. His ability to play multiple positions could be a huge benefit for the Orange. Owens said his best asset was his speed and quickness, and that Timms could excel at both DE and DT. There was no doubt in Owens’ mind that Shoubie could make an impact immediately as a freshman. And SU should be a lock as the only BCS school to offer the big guy, right? Wrong.
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When The Fizz talked with Timms this week, there was a vibe that Syracuse wasn’t the top school on his list, even with the possibility of stepping in as a freshman and eventually playing in the ACC. His top schools include Southern Mississippi, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan. What’s really concerning is that Shoubie doesn’t even have an official visit set up yet to CNY.
“Hopefully I can get up there towards the end of January.  I don’t have [a date picked out] yet, but I’m trying to get one”
Unfortunately, there isn’t much time for an SU visit in Shoubie’s busy life. He already has a trip scheduled to Western Michigan this weekend, and is heading up to NIU the weekend of the 28th. Timms was in attendance for NIU’s bowl game and practices this past weekend in Mobile. And that Southern Miss squad that shocked the fighting Case Keenum’s and Houston for the C-USA title, while cracking the top 25 polls this year? He visited there as well this past fall Рtwice. It looks to be an uphill climb for SU to win Shoubie’s versatility and speed.
‚ÄúHe‚Äôs got a bright future ahead of him. He works really hard, and plays very intelligent. He‚Äôs a mature young man, and I think he‚Äôll have a good shot to play as a freshman.”
Owens knows how valuable Timms is right now with National Signing Day just three weeks away. It seems like the Orange is not pursuing Timms as heavily as some of the other schools. Syracuse has been up against the scholarship limit, although with the recent injuries, early departures, and suspensions, a handful have opened up. Is this another case of SU playing it too conservatively with its offers?
The two-star Florida product never sounded like he had a great deal of passion for Syracuse, maybe the reason the Orange never recruited him heavily. If SU is looking at a late push for Timms, defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh needs to start using his JetBlue points. Timms said the main reason why Syracuse is on his list is because of the work Brumbaugh has done.
“I love him. When I first met him, we had a real good connection. He came down to talk to me, and got me really interested in the school.”
With limited scholarships left, and Syracuse also pursuing 3-star JuCo DT Zian Jones (6’5”, 325 lbs) from California, which eggs will Doug Marrone place in which basket?  It’s clear Timms wants a school with playing time Рthe glamour of the BCS or the ACC is not a huge attraction to him. Big, versatile defensive lineman from talent-rich Florida helps fill void at Syracuse. Seems like the perfect fit. But SU has a lot of decisions to make with few scholarships left as we roar down the home stretch.
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
