via Newsday
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Scott Shafer and the rest of the SU football’s coaching staff are clearly addressing the future of the running game. The Orange added Lawrence Senior High School (Cedarhurst, NY) running back Jordan Fredericks last night, via CuseNation.com. The pickup makes it two commits now for the 2015 class, both RBs for SU. 
The 5’11”, 195-pound speedster Fredericks pledges Orange with just two other offers on his plate from Stony Brook and Temple. He boasts a 4.46 40-yard dash time and his numbers last season as a junior were off the charts. Fredericks finished with 1668 yards on the ground on 143 carries, averaging just over eight yards per carry. Through the air, he was just as unstoppable. 648 yards receiving on 34 catches. 34 total touchdowns reflect his 1st Team All-State selection.
Watch RB Jordan Fredericks’ junior highlights here.
Fredericks also decides fresh off SU’s annual spring game. He joins another New York state product, Tyrone Perkins, in the projected 2015 backfield. Rekindling recruiting connections in NY already stands out prior to the summer swing. Perhaps recent news of a sexy LSU match-up in 2015/2017 as well as new unis swayed the prospect.
The¬†future at RB does not look so dark for SU. Jerome Smith is headed for the NFL Draft this year, but he leaves the Orange with a secure depth chart. When Prince-Tyson Gulley closes the door at season’s end, George Morris II and Devante McFarlene shift up, with¬†Connecticut’s Ervin Philips right behind them. Fredericks and Perkins answer some depth concerns.¬†
Many believe Syracuse football has completely abandoned the idea of in-state talent playing for “New York’s College Team.” Recall Shafer and company had their first full offseason to work on referring back to some sort of NY State of Mind. Syracuse owned just two NY commits and signees in the 2014 class. Now, it’s already matched that total.
Versatility consistently features on George McDonald’s offensive recruiting checklist. Fredericks brings plenty of that. Obviously his numbers tell the story as to what he can do while running or receiving the pigskin. However, there’s an interesting tidbit about his situation.
Frederick’s high school coach Joe Martillotti moved Fredericks to running back after Week 4 in Lawrence High’s eventual run to a championship last year, according to Newsday.com. Martillotti admitted back on December 7, 2013 that “we weren’t getting our best player enough touches.” Once Fredericks moved to RB, the Golden Tornadoes rallied to win eight straight games and win the program consecutive Long Island Class III championships.
Fredericks also works in the Golden Tornadoes’ defensive backfield.  An obvious goal for his senior stint has to be a three-peat with Lawrence. On a personal level, Fredericks took care of the hard part: grasping a path for his future, which is Syracuse University. How can “The Mailman” McDonald not be excited for a young player that already understands how to make adjustments to benefit the team’s success?
The Orange now sits on two verbal commitments heading into the month of April. Just two weeks ago, The Fizz wondered if it was time to hit the panic button. We may have jumped the gun just a bit. This time last year, Syracuse was in the same position, and the class turned out okay. The summer promises more verbals to come.
Posted by: Brendan Glasheen 
