Syracuse received a verbal commitment from 3-star 2017 Defensive End/Linebacker Zach Morton. Morton is the fourth player to verbally commit Dino Baber’s squad in the 2017 cycle, which is Baber’s first full cycle as Head Coach. Morton hails from the well-known Cass Tech in Detroit, Michigan. Linebacker Tim Walton in the 2016 class also went to Cass Tech.
Coach Babers announced Morton’s commitment to Syracuse via twitter, saying that Syracuse added a “sack specialist”. As Morton can play either Defensive end or outside linebacker, he can attack the quarterback from different positions. Syracuse really needs help at both positions, though Babers has made a clear commitment to the “trenches” in his brief time in charge.¬†
A sack specialist would definitely be welcome at the Dome. Syracuse ranked 78 in the nation in 2015 in team sacks, averaging under two sacks per game. Getting pressure to the quarterback is such a crucial part of any defense and as the Orange are also thin at secondary, getting in the quarterback’s face is even more important.
Let’s be clear, landing one three star recruit who won’t play until two seasons from now at the earliest is hardly alleviating any worries that Syracuse fans may have about their defense. Again. this commitment just shows Babers’ continuing devotion to filling in the trenches with as many players as possible.
It is important to remember that Syracuse has also gone after skill position players, especially quarterbacks. The Orange are adding Rex Culpepper in the Class of 2016 and, as of now, Tommy Devito in the Class of 2017.
It is still incredibly early in the recruiting cycle and pretty much everything will change in terms of the players that are committed and the players that will commit. However, in the early stages of the 2017 cycle, Babers is following through with what he said about the 2016 cycle. Syracuse is building from the lines out.
