TheGazzette.com
After Augustus Edwards’ blockbuster commitment to Syracuse yesterday, Orange Nation anxiously wonders whether his supposed package deal with Ebenezer Ogundeko will pan out. However, Iowa DE transfer John Raymon could fill any potential gap left by EO choosing Notre Dame or Florida.
First, a disclaimer: Raymon cannot completely fill EO’s shoes. Ogundeko would represent the long sought-after “crown jewel from New York” which Doug Marrone has lost out with recently in Ishaq Williams, Jarron Jones and Chad Kelly.¬†Additionally, EO has¬†showcased his abilities on big stages¬†and is one of the most dominant edge rushers in the nation.
But Raymon and Ogundeko on the same line? The two could surpass the production of the Mikhail Marinovich and Jones tandem. Raymon committed to Iowa last February, only to slip academically and feel homesick. When it all became too much for JR to continue as a Hawkeye, he said he wanted to break out and move closer to home.
“Things just didn’t work out at Iowa. They told me they hoped things would work out at another school. Mainly, I just need to be closer to home.”
The Newtown, PA native will be much closer playing for the Orange when his transfer finally straightens out. A special waiver is needed to officially add him to the roster and clear him for play. Scout.com’s John Garcia Jr. told The Fizz getting Raymon on the roster is a work in progress.
“He’s enrolled, I’m just not sure football wise what’s there yet. SU is holding their tongue. It’s on Iowa. They’re losing him so they’re not going to be in any rush to help advance the process. I wouldn’t expect it to be finalized until training camp. It’s just a matter of that scholarship and him getting that waiver that he needs to play.”
The Post-Standard confirms that Raymon has in fact enrolled and is taking summer classes at SU. Iowa could help advance the football end of the process. SU has been looking for manpower at defensive end, and Raymon could help to fill that gap. At 6’5” 240 pounds, JR was a 3-star player out of high school with interest from Michigan, N.C. State, Pitt, WVU, and Purdue. Another defensive end who turned heads in big conferences? Sounds a lot like Ogundeko.
In high school, Raymon averaged 6.0 tackles per game. He’s raw, but ESPN’s scouts say his pro-ready size makes him star material at any D1 school.
“Raymon flashes some intriguing upside. He is a kid who possesses good size, looks to have nice reach, and has the frame to add more good size with time in a college weight program.”
Should Ogundeko join Raymon in Orange on the 24th, the two could make Syracuse a force to be reckoned with on defense.
