247 Sports
Syracuse picks up another late commitment for the Class of ’13 as WR Sean Avant chooses the Orange over the weekend. Multiple reports say the Miramar, FL native selected SU over offers from Wake Forest and West Virginia, among others. Avant hails from the same hometown as Keon Lyn, and joins Corey Cooper and Corey Winfield as the incoming wide receiving corps.
The scouting report on Avant is very good hands, but needs to improve his game speed and separation. It seems likely George McDonald’s handprints are all over this addition. G-Mac has long beaten the bushes of Florida, and was at the U last year, just a half hour drive from Miramar. You have to imagine he’s very good at selling his own offense to playmakers like Avant.
SU loses its top two receivers in Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales to graduation, meaning the influx of pass-catchers will help. Jarrod West turned heads in the Spring Game and is competing for the top spot on the depth chart. There is also Arkansas transfer Quinta Funderburk, who has had a full year to adjust and has the talent to be a legitimate number one immediately.
The lack of depth for the Orange right now is a concern. SU recently announced Keenan Hale was out due to a lower body injury. Kyle Foster announced earlier this month that he left the team. With lack of experience also at quarterback, the wide outs will be needed to help out a first-year starter. Beckett Wales will be returning at tight end, and Jeremiah Kobena has been getting first team reps. During the Spring Game, Terrel Hunt also made good use of Adrian Flemming and Christopher Clark at the slot receiver spot.
Avant comes from a great football school in Miramar which has produced BCS talent consistently. The school also recently developed former West Virginia players Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey. Rivals and ESPN rate Avant as a 3-star talent, while Scout gives him 2-stars. Avant also made a visit to Louisville in January but did not receive an offer from the Cards. Avant was originally committed to FIU but quickly decommitted after the firing of Mario Cristobal.
Avant’s commitment gives SU and McDonald another receiving option to play with. While spring practice is over, Syracuse continues to add to its roster.
Posted: Zephan Mayell
