Solomon Manning may have committed to Rutgers because he didn’t hold a Syracuse offer, but the Orange clearly has other ideas at linebacker for 2016.
Yesterday, another three-star linebacker from New Jersey visited the Hill. Dymelle Parker, from Camden, NJ, visited SU on Saturday and the Orange coaching staff may not be as willing to let another linebacker get away. A large group of Camden recruits, not including Parker, visited Syracuse last week to participate in a one-day camp.
Parker is the 52nd-best linebacker in the class and has been recruited by a group of schools that always seem to be in the mix for SU targets. He holds offers from Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Virginia, and Temple, in addition to other schools. AT 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he has pretty good size for his position. Wide receiver Sadiq Palmer is the Orange’s only commitment from New Jersey so far.
In addition to Parker, SU also made the final cut for linebacker recruit Chase Pine out of Virginia. Another three-star linebacker, Pine included the Orange in his top six with familiar schools Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Georgia, West Virginia, and UNC. The Orange seems to be in over its heads with Pine, with him holding offers from SEC Georgia, hometown Virginia Tech and nearby UNC. The current favorites are the Bulldogs and the Mountaineers.
Pine relishes a challenge, and reportedly has a strong relationship with linebackers coach Clark Lea. He is planning on visiting campus in July and probably will not be committing to a school anytime soon.
The Orange also missed out on tight end Sean McKeon last week, but have found a more suitable replacement, it seems. Michael Irvin Jr., son of the Michael Irvin, is planning on visiting SU sometime soon. He has been in contact with recruiting-MVP Bobby Acosta and has some preexisting friendships with some of the Orange’s 2015 commitments out of Florida. For nothing but name recognition alone, Irvin Jr. would be an interesting get for the Orange. He could also turn into a great skill player, but his recruitment is still in the early stages.
