With Syracuse in a bye week, the SU coaches have tried to mix recruiting with preparing for the Clemson game. The coaches are trying to attract new recruits along with keeping the committed guys to their promise. Scott Shafer will also try to take advantage of Deion Hallmon’s decommitment from Rutgers.
Also over the weekend, 3-star Syracuse commit Jason Cabinda received an offer to Penn State this weekend. While the new offer might not seem like a huge deal, Cabinda’s value could be heating up as his senior season continues. Cabinda has played linebacker in high school but is billed as an athlete, a recruit who, upon arrival, can move around depending on Syracuse’s needs.
Receiving offers after commitments is nothing new to recruits, but it is important for Shafer to lock down talent who have already committed. Shafer dealt with the recruiting fiasco after Doug Marrone left the Orange. SU fans remember when names like Zach Allen and Gus Edwards decommitted from Syracuse after the coaching change. Obviously, a coaching change is different from bigger offers coming a recruit’s way, but it is crucial to keep the talent in an already solid recruiting class.
Let’s take a look at which recruits the Orange is still watching:
1. Steve Ishmael – Ishmael is a 3-star receiver who could be a great addition for the Orange. He is planning on making his way up to the Hill during his senior year. Ishmael sights his connection with Coach McDonald as a major reason he likes Syracuse. The Post-Standard reported in mid-August that he was close to committing but wanted to plan a visit before making a decision. He also has offers from Tennessee, Louisville, West Virginia and Pitt.
2. Thomas Holley – Holley was a name Syracuse fans never expected to hear again after he was rumored to be interested in national powerhouses. However, Ryan Murray told SU Juice Online last week that “Syracuse is sitting in the top-five range. They’re working out an official visit in the next few weeks.” This is huge for Syracuse, as an impressive visit could put the Orange in a position to fight for a high-caliber recruit like Holley. The Brooklyn product is very close with his mother, whose approval he seeks when he takes her on his visits. So, if SU can use proximity to home, along with other attributes like early playing time, Syracuse might be able to make a run at a monster recruit in Holley. Terrel Hunt’s emergence does not hurt SU’s chances either, as Hunt and Holley have a close relationship.
3. Aaron Roberts – Roberts will be in attendance for the Clemson game on his official visit to Syracuse this weekend. Many are hopeful he will make his decision shortly after, as he has been down between Syracuse and Illinois for quite some time. The Fizz profiled Roberts and what he means to the recruiting class in July. He would be a great talent and a big body on the line in the future.
Senior seasons have begun, and with players attending big games and getting a better feel for which school will fit them best, expect recruiting to heat up.
Posted: Zephan Mayell
