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There’s less than a week ’til Old Saint Nick pushes his way down the chimneys, but more importantly, there are less than 50 days to National Signing Day 2014.
Syracuse takes on Minnesota next Friday in the Texas Bowl, and right when the game concludes, it’s back to the drawing board for Shafer and company. The Fizz hopes for a very Merry Fizzmas not on December 25 but February 4, when recruits sign on the dotted line.. Perhaps some 2014 recruits decide to pledge Orange prior to the deadline?  We have some in mind.
The Fizzmas Wish List: the top recruits on Syracuse’s radar this holiday season.
Steve Ishmael             6’2” 170 lbs.               Wide Receiver
The Fizz has already reported of Ishmael’s in-home visit from OC George McDonald. Whenever “The Mailman” is around, it means he wants you badly. The Miami, FL product Ishmael has a boatload of offers, particularly from in-state squads like USF, UCF and Miami. The Orange knew there would be a backdrop in terms of WR production this year with Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales gone, but probably didn’t think this much. With 4-star talent KJ Williams and Corey Cooper on board for next season, the addition of Ishmael makes for a lethal group of Class of 2018 targets. He plans to visit SU January 17th (just about two weeks out from NSD).
Chris Slayton             6’3” 258 lbs.               Defensive End
Slayton has already narrowed his school selection to four: Kansas, Syracuse, Minnesota and Illinois . This could make for a great story line for the Texas Bowl. Depending on which team fares well may sway Slayton one way or the other. The Crete, Illinois bulldozer was up On the Hill two weeks back and really enjoyed his stay. Slayton would be a solid add to the young defensive core Shafer has already proved he can win with, in the ACC.
Micquell Cotton         5’9” 175 lbs.               Safety
Depth in the defensive backfield always seems to be an issue for Syracuse. Keon Lyn and Brandon Reddish were injured so that definitely factors into Cotton’s ability to provide depth. Julain Whigam stepped up in spots and intercepted Clemson QB sensation Tajh Boyd twice. After that, there‚Äôs nothing very clear with the secondary. Not giving Illinois-native Cotton a strong pitch would be a mistake. He recorded 11 sacks and 56 tackles as a junior at O‚ÄôFallon High School. Cotton is also down to four schools: Syracuse, Indiana, Iowa State and Michigan State.
Jonathan Thomas     6’3” 210 lbs.               Outside Linebacker
Arguably the Orange’s strongest defensive position this season, there’s not necessarily a desperate need at linebacker. Marquis Spruill is a departing senior, but the Orange hopefully returns juniors Cameron Lynch and Dyshawn Davis. JuCo transfers Luke Arciniega and Josh Kirkland have been more than reliable as well. The Suwanee, Georgia native could build the bridge to the next young core. He has offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Marshall, Oklahoma and Syracuse. What’s great news is that he will visit Syracuse January 31st, just five days prior to National Signing Day.
Adly Enoicy               6’4” 215 lbs.               Tight End
Most Syracuse fans might be surprised by this. Adly Enoicy is a big boy at tight end and he could be the best grab, at least offensively, for the Orange for the remainder of the recruiting class. Coach McDonald struggled immensely to implement the TE position into the playbook. We rarely saw Beckett Wales or freshman Tyler Provo used effectively, though Josh Parris did catch a big one against Boston College to lock up eligibility. Enoicy is the 36th-ranked TE in the nation and is a Delray Beach, FL native. Like Thomas, he plans to visit Syracuse on January 31st. Not so hot news for the Orange is that its competing against USC, Auburn, Florida State and Florida for his services.
There’s still a significant amount of time until recruits have to make their decisions, but Syracuse can’t let Signing Day sneak up on them.
Posted by: Brendan Glasheen 
