Syracuse’s recruiting class of 2022 has been a rollercoaster of emotions. First, the Orange got No. 14 Dior Johnson, but then he decommitted. Then, SU brought in four-star Kamari Lands, however, he too left the program. Throughout all of that, Jim Boeheim and company were still able to lure in five recruits, being labeled as the best class ever.
Syracuse currently sits at tenth nationally and fourth in the ACC. The Fizz has already taken a look at where SU ranks, but now let’s break down the conference and see who the Orange will be facing in the coming years.
Duke | National: #1 | ACC: #1
Duke is doing normal Duke things yet again. Despite the announced departure of Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have the top recruiting class, headlined by No. 2 Dereck Lively II, No. 5 Dariq Whitehead and No. 8 Kyle Filipowski, who was highly considering Syracuse. If three of the top ten recruits plus another three-star doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will. Duke is still the cream of the crop, as much as it pains me to say it.
North Carolina | National: #7 | ACC: #2
After a down recruiting season a year ago where North Carolina finished 41st nationally and 7th in the ACC, the Tar Heels are back in the top ten. UNC hasn’t picked up any five-stars, but have two top-50 players, including point guard Seth Trimble.
Virginia | National: #8 | ACC: #3
Virginia is also bouncing back from a not-so-great recruiting class in 2021 and doing it with bulk. The Cavaliers have four four-stars committed, two of which are small forwards and another is power forward Isaac Traudt. UVA has made a living off of staunch defense in the past few years, which doesn’t seem like it’ll change any time soon.
Miami | National: #17 | ACC: #5
Despite not having as much success on the court as it would like, Miami recruiting has staid consistently solid for years (probably because the recruiting ploy of ‘come live in Miami for four years’ is pretty effective). The Hurricanes only have one top-100 guy in AJ Casey, so they are decent, nothing too crazy. However, any time you can grab three recruits in a class you will be happy.
Virginia Tech | National: #24 | ACC: #6
File Virginia Tech under the teams that made a huge recruiting improvement from last year to this. The Hokies were 13th in the ACC and 90th nationally in the class of 2021, but now have three three-stars committed to play in Blacksburg. Rodney Rice is the big name to know, a combo guard from Maryland who is seen as a smaller, but more athletic Quadir Copeland.
Notre Dame | National: #30 | ACC: #7
It’s quality over quantity for Notre Dame in the class of 2022. The Fighting Irish only have two commits, but both are four-star, top-100 guys. Central New Yorkers will know the name JJ Starling, who is a CNY native and spurned Cuse to go to ND. Plus, the best player from New Hampshire, Dom Campbell, is committed to the Irish.
Boston College | National: #32 | ACC: #8
Boston College desperately needed a recruiting class like this. After terrible play on the court, the Eagles have secured a commitment from four-star power forward Prince Aligbe, who has the sixth best rating of any BC recruit ever.
Florida State | National: #37 | ACC: #9
Having a top-40 recruiting class is a success. However, to Florida State, anything below 20 is frowned upon. So, the Seminoles aren’t too happy with where they are right now, despite having four commits in 2022. The problem is Рtwo of them aren’t ranked. Cameron Corhen, a four-star center, is the only guy jumping off the page for FSU in this recruiting cycle.
NC State | National: #44 | ACC: #10
NC State is always an interesting study. The Wolfpack will have some years with ridiculous classes, and then the next, they will have pretty much nothing. The class of 2022 is more of the latter. NC State only has two recruits, both of which are middle of the pack three-stars. Ehh.
Pittsburgh | National: #56 | ACC: #11
All you need is one. Pittsburgh quite literally only has one commit in 2022, much like Syracuse in 2021 with Benny Williams. It’s not the end of the world, especially when it is Oak Hill Academy product Judah Mintz, who is a top-60 player nationally. All signs point to him being a serious player. Plus, he fits Pitts’ rough and edgy play.
Wake Forest | National: #63 | ACC: #12
Wake Forest is in the same situation as Pittsburgh with only one commit in 2022. Zach Keller, a four-star power forward, will suit up for the Demon Deacons next season.
Louisville | National: #73 | ACC: #13
Louisville has a whole lot of work to do before the class of 2022 is all taken up. The Cardinals only have one commit, three-star small forward Tae Davis. You are able to get away with a one man class if you have a guy like Benny Williams or Judah Mintz, but Davis is not that kind of player. Louisville was third in the ACC and top-20 nationally a season ago. That’s a big fall in the class of 2022.
Clemson | National: #79 | ACC: #14
Clemson is a football school. The Tigers only have two commitments in 2022 – an unranked shooting guard and a low three-star power forward.
Georgia Tech | National: #N/A | ACC: #15
If you can find a recruit for Georgia Tech in the class of 2022, send me an email, because the Yellow Jackets are non-existent on any recruiting databases. So, they are probably going to want to fix that.
