While the recruitment of Robert Washington is not over yet, his verbal commitment allows the Orange to continue to look for recruits at other positions. Apparently, a big focus for Syracuse is the offensive line.
The Class of 2015 features five offensive linemen and the Orange are set to lose three starters on the o-line at the end of the 2015 season. Rob Trudo, Ivan Foy and Nick Robinson are all entering their final season with the Orange.
According to Syracuse.com, the Orange have made offers to two more offensive linemen for 2016. Charles Baldwin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Malcolm Pridgeon (Garden City, N.Y.) have both received offers from Shafer’s team and have the chance to block for one of the highest regarded Running Backs in the class of 2016.
They are both rated four stars and hold numerous offers.  Some of these offers are from top-tier programs as Baldwin has an offer from Alabama and Ole Miss and Pridgeon holds an offer from the defending National Champions, Ohio State.
The chance to block for Robert Washington can and definitely should be used as a selling point to O-line recruits like Pridgeon and Baldwin. The Orange have not had a truly elite running game since the days of Brown and Davis but they have not had a running back like either of them either.
With that said the Orange have still been able to have offensive linemen make a name for themselves while at Syracuse. Sean Hickey is expected to be a mid-round pick in the NFL Draft this week and Justin Pugh has already made a name for himself in the NFL as a starter for the New York Giants.
By joining Washington at SU, any offensive linemen could have the chance to be a part of something special. While the Orange have not been a top-tier team in recent years, there is no question that a couple of additions on top of the recruitment of Washington can make SU a legitimate team in the ACC.
It only makes sense that Shafer and his staff will target big men open up holes for Washington. Orange fans should expect the offers for Baldwin and Pridgeon to be the first of many to offensive linemen.
Posted: Logan Grossman
