After the Scott Shafer firing SU’s 2016 recruiting class had some major turnover. Eleven players left after the coaching change and there was even some post Signing Day drama.
Of the players who at one time were committed to Syracuse last year, seven played roles in their first seasons with their new teams.
Monquavion Brinson: The defensive back signed with Georgia Southern after decomitting from Syracuse. In his first year, he had 25 tackles and a forced fumble.
Sadiq Palmer: The wide receiver commit left Syracuse very late in the recruiting cycle last year and wound up at UMass. As a freshman, Palmer caught nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown (which came against Mississippi State). He also rushed for a touchdown.
Will Harper: Another Shafer decommit, Harper signed with Tulane after leaving the Orange. In his first season the safety recorded twenty tackles.
Darius Stubbs: Stubbs was labeled as an athlete when he committed to Syracuse. The Shafer regime saw him as a potential special teamer and offensive jack-of-all-trades. As a freshman at Georgia State, Stubbs rushed 38 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. He also made plays defensively on special teams.
Brandon Ginnetti: Originally a class of 2015 player, Ginnetti reclassified to 2016. After he parted ways with Syracuse, he signed for Rhode Island, an FCS team. He played as a reserve defensive lineman and finished the year with ten tackles.
Robert Washington: Washington decommitted from Syracuse before the coaching change, but had led SU fans on a rollercoaster ride over the last two years. He eventually signed with Charlotte of all teams where he enjoyed a productive freshman season. He finished the year with 489 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Gabe Sherrod: As a graduate transfer, Sherrod was supposed to save the Syracuse defensive line. Instead, he decommitted and signed with Michigan State. Sherrod recorded only five tackles on the season in a terrible 3-9 year for the Spartans.
*None of the teams listed above will be eligible for a bowl game this year.
**Other players who decommitted from SU last year either did not play as freshmen or failed to qualify academically.
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Posted: Connor Morrissette
