Penn Live
With two weeks until National Signing Day, Syracuse has received a huge boost with the renewed commitment of quarterback Austin Wilson. When Doug Marrone and Nate Hackett left for Buffalo the East Pennsboro (PA) signal caller was thrown for a loop. He called the situation “stressful” and a “shock to the system,” and Wilson needed to hear reassurance from the new assistants that SU was still the right move.
He got that from a conversation with new quarterbacks coach Tim Lester, and tweeted, “Feel a lot better now that I finally got to talk with my new QB coach! We‚Äôre gonna do big things¬†#believeit.‚Äù While Wilson wasn’t placed on the same pedestal as Zach Allen, who turned to TCU, he’s still an important piece of the Orange puzzle. The quarterback situation is unsettled, with plenty of opportunity over the next two years to compete for the starter’s slot. If Ashton Broyld is not a future signal caller (and to this point it seems the staff is uncomfortable with him running the offense), there needs to be a youngster to be groomed to take the reigns.
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After Allen’s switch the Orange coaches reached out to John O’Korn, but he’s been a Houston commit for months. Wilson represents a crucial commitment. After talking with Lester, Wilson tweeted “very true! Feel the same way” in response to a fan who said he felt far better about SU football than a week ago. He also tweeted, “I’m excited to be (at SU) and compete” and “the new coaches are awesome.”¬†His Twitter profile background is of the Carrier Dome.
Things didn’t look so rosy when Marrone took the Bills job. Wilson told PennLive.com:
“I was shocked. I felt I never could have gone wrong with my decision. I was told in May they weren‚Äôt going anywhere. Coach Marrone told me he wanted to raise his family in Syracuse and was going to stay.¬†Then I get a voicemail from coach telling me he‚Äôs leaving.”
Few of us begrudge Marrone for his decision, but that’s not the best look for Doug. This summer Marrone told kids he was an SU lifer. Eight months later he bolted to Buffalo and took half the staff. Guess it’s just business in modern college football.
Wilson could end up being a feel good story for Orange Nation. In June he told The Fizz he embraced the quarterback competition with Allen, and was excited to come in and work. While Zach received all types of attention for his Elite 11 status and climbing stock, Wilson quietly and humbly waited his turn. Now A-Dub will come onto campus and have a great shot at being a long-term starter. His attitude has been tremendous from the beginning, and it looks like other players are gravitating toward him. SU commit Isaiah Johnson tweeted he was going to “talk to my future quarterback tomorrow.” It all adds up to some much needed good news for SU.
Posted: D.A.
