From Dec. 19 until Dec. 21, the College Football Early Signing Period will be ongoing as Syracuse looks to continue improving its 2019 class.
The Orange currently have 16 commits lined up for next year and 2018 commit Jawhar Johnson as well, who will finally enroll at SU in January.
With that said, here’s a quick look at those 16 players:
TE Luke Benson – Doylestown, PA
OL Matthew Bergeron – Quebec City, QC
LB Geoff Cantin – Quebec City, QC
DB Adrian Cole – Fort Lauderdale, FL
DB Aman Greenwood – Washington, D.C.
DE Ishmael Goulbourne – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
DB Dorian Hewett – Houston, TX
WR Courtney Jackson – Monroeville, PA
LB Mikel Jones – Bradenton, FL
LB Lee Kpogba – Winston-Salem, NC
DB Cornelius Nunn – Miami, FL
OL Anthony Red – Oakdale, CT
DT Joe Rondi – Wayne, NJ
OL Darius Tisdale – Monmouth Junction, NJ
TE Andrew Tuazama – Matthews, NC
DB Garrett Williams – Harrisburg, NC
As you can see, ten of Syracuse’s 16 Class of 2019 commits are defensive players. However, whether it be offense or defense, there’s a solid shot the Orange adds to that list by Friday’s Early Singing Period deadline. With that, here are some situations worth monitoring (star grades from 247Sports):
DE Cooper Dawson – Charleston, S.C. (3-star)
Dawson recently visited Syracuse tight end (and friend) Aaron Hackett on-campus, where the two attended SU’s thrilling victory over Georgetown, but somehow apparently left before Tyus Battle’s game-winning jumper.
A three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Dawson plays both defensive end and tight end at Hanahan High School in Charleston, SC. He was offered a scholarship by SU back in the first week of December to play defensive end, and will choose between Syracuse, Clemson, UCF, and a few others as well.
Dawson says his commitment announcement will come at a ceremony in his high school auditorium on Wednesday.
RB Michel Dukes – Charleston, SC (3-star)
It is said to be that Dukes comes in a package with Dawson, with the two Charleston natives visiting The Hill on the same weekend.
The Orange competes with North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech for his services, but there remains little-to-no indication of what his top choice could be. Perhaps that changes after Dawson’s announcement on Wednesday.
LB Octavius Brothers – Southwest Brevard County, FL (3-star)
Once committed to UCF, Brothers gave the Knights the Cornelius Nunn treatment (until Nunn recommitted) back in October.
Brothers was committed to UCF at one time, but has not given any interviews since his visit to UNC last weekend. Now, his options are open, and the belief is that a recommitment to UCF is not what’s in store.
Brothers visited The Hill along with fellow SU-recruit Jimmy Fritzsche just a few weeks ago, and is expected to make a decision between the Orange, North Carolina, Auburn and Miami.
OL Jimmy Fritzsche – Greenville, SC (3-star)
Well, it’s certainly no secret that Dino is trying to lock in that South Carolina pipeline.
Fritzsche’s chances of donning orange next season may not be quite as high as the other recruits mentioned here, or at least Syracuse orange that is.
Fritzsche visited campus with Brothers earlier this month, but is said to likely have stronger ties to Clemson and Nebraska, while receiving offers from several others as well.
