It’s common sense: the better recruits a program gets, the better it will be in the future. That’s exactly what Dino Babers is concerned about right now.
Porter Rooks, a five-star wide receiver from Providence Day in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been offered by a bevy of top schools. Just a few days ago, Syracuse added itself to that list. It doesn’t seem likely that Rooks winds up playing in the Carrier Dome, but it should be a positive for Orange fans that SU is even in the conversation for a guy like Rooks. Babers isn’t going to start pulling in elite players overnight, but you’ve got to start somewhere.
In my mind, last year’s win over Clemson really gives SU some¬†legitimacy in situations like these. Five-star recruits likely still don’t view Syracuse as a potential landing spot, but that victory has to add something to the equation when players consider joining the Orange.
Blessed to receive an offer from Syracuse University. #OITNF üçä pic.twitter.com/u0qZW1bAat
— Porter Rooks (@p9rooks) January 26, 2018
Since SU offered Rooks, the 6-foot-1 receiver has gathered offers from several more schools, including Ohio State. Yesterday, Georgia Bulldogs’ Head Coach Kirby Smart made a stop at Providence Day to visit with Rooks, among several other recruits. But, it wasn’t just any old visit: Smart arrived in a helicopter.
Rooks has his hands full these days with loads of offers from elite programs, but the 2020 recruit didn’t totally eliminate Syracuse from his radar.
“They like to toss the ball around a good bit, and I would like to look into what they have to offer,” Rooks told the Fizz over text message.
One thing that has to help Babers in a position like this is his history with receivers. A talented guy like Rooks is almost guaranteed to frequently have the ball in his hands. The problem? Getting the recruits to realize that.
What separates Rooks from the pack is his ability to catch pretty much anything thrown his way. Adam Hastings, head football coach at Providence Day, thinks that skill is what sepereates good players from elite ones.
“His catch radius is the most impressive thing,” Hastings Said. “It’s one thing to be fast, but it’s another thing to be able to catch balls thrown away from your body.”
When asked about the current state of Syracuse football, Hastings said he’s heard nothing but good things about Babers, which is certainly good news from a recruiting aspect.
If the Orange is going to take the next step soon, getting kids like Rooks is crucial. Not only is Rooks a gifted receiver, but he’s a smart player that seems to fit what Syracuse is trying to do. That’s the most important part, not the fact that he’s such a skilled athlete. The Orange has to find talented kids and build a program that makes it easier for them to succeed. Once that happens, the recruits will come, and so will the wins.
