It has been a busy summer for Syracuse football as after a slow start, the Orange’s recruitment for the class of 2016 has really picked up and the latest in this process is DB Cycoby Burch out of Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida. On Thursday, Burch named the Orange in his list of finalists along with West Virginia, South Florida and Indiana. Burch will make his commitment on August 28th.
This is all well and good. There seems a very real possibility that the Orange land their 15th recruit for 2016. However, things are not that simple. Syracuse received a commitment from DB Devon Clarke only to turn him away.
It seems as if the Orange are not willing to use one of their precious few remaining spots in the class of 2016 on a defensive back, unless his name is Eric Burrell.
Burch, a three star recruit, has been reasonably highly recruited. He had an offer from Wisconsin, but he was turned away from the Badgers for undisclosed reasons. The point is, all indications are that he is a legitimate player who could certainly contribute to the Syracuse defense.
Yet, it is hard to fault Shafer and Co. for being hesitant about taking on another defensive back for the class of 2016. With a huge recruiting class in 2015, a total of 25 players, the Orange can only afford to take four more players this time around. Three of the 14 committed players are DBs it makes sense that the Orange would only be willing to take a fourth DB if it was Eric Burell, who would, along with Robert Washington, be one of the strongest recruits in the cycle.
With limited scholarships available, the Orange may look to add more offensive help to go along side Washington and QB commit Rex Culpepper. Only one Wide Receiver, Sadiq Palmer, has committed for 2016. That is a position the Orange may, and probably should, look to strengthen before this recruiting cycle winds down.
With plenty still to address in 2016, the Orange may be hesitant to bring in Cycoby Burch, even if he does decide to commit to the Orange on August 28th.
