As we’ve already talked about, Syracuse’s list of 2017 football commits is small. Very small. The Orange only has three players commited to come to The Hill in 2017, but that list could be growing very soon.
On Wednesday, 2017 safety Alvin Floyd announced his top three schools and Syracuse made the list. Jerr bertani, Floyd’s high school coach, told Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey Floyd had narrowed his list to Syracuse, Southern Mississippi and Toledo.
“He feels comfortable with those staffs,” Bertani told Syracuse.com. “They have recruited him hard and I have known those coaches for a while.”
Floyd wouldn’t be the first North Miami Beach High Schooler to leave the luxuries of Florida for the harsh winters of Syracuse, New York. Steve Ishmael came to SU from North Miami Beach just two years ago. Bertani mentioned to Syracuse.com that Ishmael helps the Orange’s chances of landing Floyd.
The defense isn’t supposed to be a strong suit for Syracuse next season, but the safety spot is one of the most stable on that side of the ball. Juniors Antwan Cordy and Chauncey Scissum will¬†be seniors if and when Floyd were to get to SU, which would give Floyd a¬†year to work¬†under experienced college players and possibly impress the coaching staff enough to take over when Cordy and Scissum graduate.
On the hardwood, 2017 center Nick Richards listed the Orange in his top five in an interview with Scout.com. Richards is a 6-foot-11 New York native out of Manhasset who is ranked 16th nationally by 24/7 Sports. The other schools in his top five are Indiana, UConn, Arizona and Kentucky, all of which have given him scholarship offers.
The center position will be one of the biggest holes Syracuse needs to fill after this year. The Orange will lose Dajaun Coleman to graduation, leaving transfer Paschal Chukwu as the only true big in the lineup. Chukwu is a big man, but he cant play 40 minutes per game and we all remember how frustrating Syracuse basketball can be when Jim Boeheim is forced to go small.
Richards is apparently one of SU’s biggest targets in 2017, but he’s only taken two visits and doesn’t have any more planned as of right now. He’s said he has no timetable for a decision, and Syracuse fans have already heard plenty of that (see Taurean Thompson).
Posted: Nathan Dickinson
