A Way Too Early Look at SU’s 2016 Football Class

National Signing Day 2015 is in the books. Rankings wise fans may be disappointed (Syracuse’s class is at the bottom or close to it on every ACC recruiting site), but there is still plenty to be happy about. SU brought in the second most players of any team in the ACC Wednesday, New Jersey’s best running back, Dontae Strickland, stuck with the Orange despite a late push from Georgia and New Jersey defensive end Jake Pickard chose Syracuse over Wisconsin and Michigan.

2015 was the year of the big man with 12 offensive and defensive lineman signing on. 2016 will focus more on the skill positions and at the top of SU’s wish list is four-star North Carolina running back Robert Washington.

It seems like this happens every year. National Signing Day passes and the Syracuse faithful get all excited about a new talented recruit in the next year’s class that won’t realistically end up on the Hill. This could very well happen with Washington, but as of right now he does seem legitimately interested in Syracuse.

Linebacker coach Clark Lea started visiting Washington’s high school during the running back’s freshman year. Washington has a good relationship with the Orange’s coaching staff as a result of this and has even asked about wearing number 44. He’s definitely someone to watch for this calendar year.

Here is a list of other 2016 recruits that have already been offered by Syracuse and could wind up with the program:

Metuchen, NJ offensive tackle Nick Krimin

Lakewood, OH safety Tony Butler

Paramus, NJ wide receiver Donald Stewart

West Hartford, CT wide receiver Isaiah Wright

Ellenwood, GA linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse