Ten days ago, the future of Syracuse’s 2013 recruiting class looked bleak. Commits began questioning suiting up for the Orange without Doug Marrone, and so many other pieces of the staff that had developed relationships with them. Zach Allen had led the charge in rallying the troops all summer and fall, then flipped to TCU. SU was slow on hiring its new offensive coordinator, and more commits became lukewarm. But now with ten days until National Signing Day, this year’s class has been totally redesigned.
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Scott Shafer and his new staff have offered a variety of new players, and even reeled in their first recruit just two days ago. The class is back to 15 commits, and there is still room for a handful more Shafer recruits. The Fizz has put together the list of the Top Five Newest Prospects Syracuse is going after just days before NSD.
- DB Simeon Thomas
3-star              6’4”, 190 lbs              Miami Carol City HS (Miami, FL)
The Miami product plays like a man amongst boys, and has the grit it takes to succeed in a tough part of South Florida. He dominated the secondary this year as the Chiefs’ top lockdown cover corner. Even at that height he played CB in addition to safety. He’s versatile, has long strides, and will add muscle to become a feared, hard-hitter in college. Syracuse offered Thomas just a couple weeks ago, and he is ecstatic about the idea of playing with George McDonald. He told The Fizz McDonald has been recruiting him since the ninth grade, and the OC kept his promise to recruit all throughout high school. The DB has great trust and respect for the former Miami and Arkansas wide receivers coach. Thomas will take an official to Syracuse just three days before NSD. That’s a good sign. His final three include SU, Hawaii and Clemson.
Odds of Landing: 40%
- QB Mitch Kimble
2-star              6’3”, 190 lbs              Jersey Community HS (Jerseyville, IL)
Shafer and company have been trying to bring in one more quarterback to the class. Allen bolted for TCU, and then highly touted Florida QB John O’Korn announced he was sticking with Houston. Originally commit to Northern Illinois, Kimble de-committed and now will decide between Syracuse and N.C. State. He visited the Hill last weekend and will be down in Charlotte this weekend. Kimble is a dual threat QB who could replace the void left by Allen. The senior has great vision running the football and his mechanics and release are decent throwing the ball deep. The new staff is making it clear they want speed to work with at the QB and WR positions.
Odds of Landing: 50%
- WR Corey Cooper
3-star              6’1”, 190 lbs              Millbrook HS (Raleigh, NC)
Speaking of speed, Cooper became the second WR Syracuse offered over the last two weeks. He’s ranked the  25th best receiver in the state of North Carolina, and has great route running ability. Cooper also has a big set of mitts and is terrific at tracking down deep balls. He has nearly 20 offers from big time schools such as N.C. State, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina, but the Raleigh native will be taking a visit to CNY this weekend. He originally gave his pledge to Louisville over the summer, but de-committed last month.Reeling in another wideout with Cooper’s talent would be a huge victory for the Orange.
Odds of Landing: 30%
- ATH/DB Chauncey Scissum
3-star              6’2”, 195 lbs              Rush-Henrietta Senior HS (Rochester, NY)
He played QB and DB this past year in Rochester. Scissum was named first team all-state and was the leader of a Rush-Henrietta team that lost just one game all year. As a quarterback, he’s just too fast for defenders. As a DB, he has a long, rangy reach and stride, which is why Syracuse is calling. The Orange had Scissum on campus for a visit last weekend, which went great. He doesn’t have any other offers to BCS schools, but the last dual-threat prospect to come out of Rush-Henrietta certainly worked out for SU.
Odds of Landing: 60%
- OG Jaylen Funches
2-star              6’4”, 290 lbs              Benedictine HS (Cleveland, OH)
The Cleveland native would be an important addition to the trenches. SU has just two offensive line commits, and one or two more will help. Funches has offers from Syracuse, Western Michigan, Toledo, Ball State, Ohio and Akron. Syracuse is also high on JuCo OG Jaylen Hunter. Hunter is visiting campus just a few days before National Signing Day.
Odds of Landing: 20%
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
