SuperPreps
2014 Cypress Bay cornerback Deion Hallmon decommitted from Rutgers Sunday, which allows Syracuse to get back in the running for the 3-star Weston, FL product. Hallmon told The Fizz back in July the Orange made his top five school list for his college football destination. Arguably a top 50 CB in the country, he still has the attention of top-tier schools. Now that the speedy corner has reopened his recruitment, SU has to take advantage.
Hallmon committed back on August 26th to Rutgers, a program he has yet to even visit. He doesn’t make his first official visit until October 25.
Hallmon told NJ.com a few weeks back about the mix-up: “I was supposed to come up for the Arkansas game, but I take my ACT¬†this Saturday. But I’m coming up for the Houston game though. When I come up it’s gonna be freezing.‚Äù
Rutgers defeated Arkansas on September 21 but didn’t succeed on Hallmon’s services. The Scarlet Knights take on Houston late in the fall, now with an uncertain Hallmon coming through. What exactly led to his decommitment is a mystery. What could have turned Hallmon off about Rutgers? The chance to play in the Big 10 and compete, especially as a defensive player, against some of the most dynamic offensives, like Northwestern, is a great challenge. Hallmon checked out Syracuse as his first, official visit on September 13. He plans to visit another member of his top five, Wisconsin, on October 12. Not much has been heard from Florida State or West Virginia, the other schools that round out his prospective schools.
According to the NJ.com report, Hallmon has battled an injured hamstring to start his senior stint. His fight and toughness on the field, though, have helped him weather the storm. Durability easily attracts a swarm of college programs. Hallmon was a full-time starter last season and finished with seven interceptions. He told The Fizz of his sharp awareness back when we last spoke:
“I’d say I’m very aggressive, especially in man defense. I like to cover the best receiver of the opposing team. I’m also good at reading the defense in zone coverage. Either way, I’m very aggressive in the backfield on D.”
A smart corner with a 4.40 40-yard dash is hard to come by. Hallmon has widened his play this season seeing time on the offensive end in multiple scheme packages, including the Wildcat and special teams. He remains very close with OC George McDonald thanks to “The Mailman’s” previous ties with Miami.
Hopefully SU’s recent check with Hallmon earlier this month had a significant impact on him. The Orange marked his first and most recent campus visit. Hallmon’s decision to decommit not only opens up his top five, but other top programs such as Clemson and Notre Dame climb into the discussion. The fact Syracuse was his first visit reassures that Hallmon does have significant interest in the program. He also mentioned playing in the cold. Yeah, Syracuse gets pretty damn freezing, but a closed-roof Carrier Dome becomes a solid pitch.
For now, the top dogs look to be Wisconsin and the Scarlet Knights. Hallmon provides some newly added versatility and continues to impress as a gutsy force in the secondary. When it comes to shutdown guys in the defensive backfield, SU is always listening. Keep an eye on November 16, when Syracuse travels down to the Sunshine State to play Florida State. Hallmon has already expressed noteworthy interest in the Seminoles. With news of his decommitment, the Orange shouldn’t blink to stay high on Cypress Bay’s defensive leader.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
