Syracuse Football received its first commitment in the 2018 class yesterday from Baldwinsville tight end Gabe Horan. This had SU’s co-offensive coordinator Sean Lewis excited.
TFW you receive your 1st 2018 #DomeDude commitment from a LOCAL BIG TOUGH Alpha!!#OITNF üçäüí®#BeTheAlpha üê∫#WhosNext pic.twitter.com/NoEtLTWS9G
— Sean Lewis üê∫ (@TheOC_CoachLew) February 9, 2017
What the tape shows
At 6’6’’ and 260 pounds, Horan plays like a man amongst boys for Baldwinsville. His strength is blocking. Several times in his tape he flat out pancakes opposing defenders. Horan told the Post Standard that if he adds 30 pounds he could maybe become a tackle for SU. The kid can flat out block.
Horan is also strong in the passing game and especially dangerous in the red-zone. Dino Babers did not really utilize a tight end in his offense a year ago. Now with Ravian Pierce and Aaron Hackett in the fold, SU fans will see how Horan could potentially fit into the Orange offense this season.
Watch Horan’s junior year highlights here.
Significance of the commitment
This is a big get for two main reasons. For starters, Horan is the first 2018 commit to verbal to SU. The Orange staff can now show other recruits that their sales pitch is working elsewhere.
Secondly, Horan is a local guy. Boston College was also in on the tight end, but he chose Syracuse. In the past (including this year’s Signing Day) CNY products like Noah Jordan-Williams and Tyler Rouse picked BC over SU.
When Babers came to Syracuse, he said he wanted to be number one in recruiting New York. Last cycle, he landed Eric Coley and now he has Horan. Hopefully the Orange can land a few other local/New York recruits as this cycle continues.
Follow The Fizz on twitter @OrangeFizz to stay up to date with SU basketball and football recruiting.
Posted: Connor Morrissette
