(Update – Tuesday, 11:53 a.m. As expected, Perkins chose Notre Dame this morning in a press conference in his library. Syracuse appeared to be the front-runner for his services, until the Irish offered over the weekend. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior-to-be had narrowed his list of finalists to ND, Syracuse, Mississippi State, Iowa and Tennessee.
“Perkins could play a number of positions for the Irish. He was used as a running back and wide receiver last season at Washington. He ran for 765 yards on 82 carries, scoring three rushing touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 176 yards and four TDs.”)
* * *
It appears Syracuse has failed once again to get over the hump and land the four-star recruit everyone is been waiting for. According to a source close to David “Boom” Perkins, the prized South Bend prospect will commit tomorrow to Notre Dame.
Boom’s hometown school had reportedly balked at offering him a scholarship until this past Thursday, making sure his SAT scores were acceptable. But once Perkins’ grades came back, the Fighting Irish sent out the offer, and Perkins swiftly made his decision.
Though Boom’s recruitment was not nearly as dramatic or high-profile, this one hurts for Syracuse fans as much as¬†losing out on Ishaq Williams. That‚Äôs because unlike the race for Ishaq, Syracuse actually held the lead for a long time in the competition for Perkins.
Just prior to Notre Dame sending an offer, Boom’s high school coach, Antwon Jones, told The Fizz that Syracuse was the clear front-runner. SU established itself at the top of Perkins’ list, ahead of schools like Michigan State, Iowa, and Tennessee, because of Perkins’ excellent relationship with ‘Cuse assistant Tyrone Wheatley.
But it looks now as if the chance for Perkins to stay home and play at prestigious Notre Dame supersedes all relationships.
- Listen to the Fresh FizzCast: Perkins & Chad Kelly Exclusive
For as much disappointment as there is today in CNY,¬†The Fizz could see the writing on the wall. As mentioned in the above¬†FizzCast (15:00 mark), Jones told us Perkins was going to visit Syracuse and make a final decision by the end of June. When Boom turned around just a few days later, cancelled that plan, and said he‚Äôd made a decision, it didn’t smell right. Since the abrupt course change coincided with the new offer from Notre Dame, it would have been naive to be optimistic about Syracuse‚Äôs chances.
Boom will hold a press conference tomorrow morning to make an official announcement. Orange Nation’s attention now swings back to prized QB recruit Chad Kelly. The nephew of Bills legend Jim Kelly had great things to say about Marrone and coach Hackett in an exclusive interview with The Fizz.
“I probably have the best relationship with them out of any of the coaches I’ve talked to.”
Kelly’s campus visit seems to have vaulted Syracuse ahead and given the Orange a legitimate chance to get him. And this time, as opposed the recruitment of Perkins, SU has geography on its side.
Posted: Andrew Kanell
10 responses to “Shades of Ishaq: It’s Official, Syracuse Loses David Perkins to Notre Dame”
Geography..photography….Apathy…Does it matter? SU keeps losing out to the likes of Notre Dame and other ” Big Time Programs” because recruits don’t seem to view SU football as bigtime in the same way that Basketball recruits view SU as bigtime. Until that changes, we will continue to be the bridesmaid and never the bride.
SU is not doing a good job of helping these young men see that they have a greater chance of being a big Star at SU than they do at any of these other so called big time programs. Skill players/ playmakers…. you will get more publicity if you prove to be a beast at SU than at almost any other school. Why? Because of the SU football legacy. The media, can’t wait to crown the next Jim Brown. Ernie Davis, or Floyd Little. The next McNabb, the next Freeney. The competition to see the field and excel is not as great at SU as most of these other schools and the odds are much better here. How many great HS running backs get recruited to Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, USC,Auburn, Michigan etc. and never see the field and you never here from them again. What ever happen to that great HS running back a few years ago from Oklahoma who considered SU and tennessee and Auburn, and chose Tennesse, David (somebody) did he ever pan out…NO These HS kids just don’t get it and our staff needs to do a better job of painting that picture for them.
Geography..photography….Apathy…Does it matter? SU keeps losing out to the likes of Notre Dame and other ” Big Time Programs” because recruits don’t seem to view SU football as bigtime in the same way that Basketball recruits view SU as bigtime. Until that changes, we will continue to be the bridesmaid and never the bride.
SU is not doing a good job of helping these young men see that they have a greater chance of being a big Star at SU than they do at any of these other so called big time programs. Skill players/ playmakers…. you will get more publicity if you prove to be a beast at SU than at almost any other school. Why? Because of the SU football legacy. The media, can’t wait to crown the next Jim Brown. Ernie Davis, or Floyd Little. The next McNabb, the next Freeney. The competition to see the field and excel is not as great at SU as most of these other schools and the odds are much better here. How many great HS running backs get recruited to Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, USC,Auburn, Michigan etc. and never see the field and you never here from them again. What ever happen to that great HS running back a few years ago from Oklahoma who considered SU and tennessee and Auburn, and chose Tennesse, David (somebody) did he ever pan out…NO These HS kids just don’t get it and our staff needs to do a better job of painting that picture for them.
Dr. Bill hit it on the head… as guy with roots at both schools (grandfather went to Syracuse) I can tell you that Syracuse is going to always struggle to pull kids away from a Notre Dame for the same reason Notre Dame would struggle to pull a lacrosse/basketball recruit away from Syracuse. This won’t change until they have serious on field success (aka winning the Big East) no matter how hard the coaches recruit.
Regardless, ‘Cuse has a bright future with the way your coaching staff continues to build great relationships with everyone they recruit… sooner rather than later that will pay dividends. Also, Chad Kelly is the REAL DEAL and in my opinion much more important for the team’s success. Get him and the future is very bright.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that David Perkins picks SU over Notre Dame. The Buck stops here…. he will be the first domino to fall and this will lead Kelly to choose SU… and will ultimately land us the big DT from Rochester that is a Penn State commit, on national signing day. One of these kids has to be smart enough to see what a great opportunity SU football provides right now and I am going to bed tonight praying that David Perkins is that kid. It all starts with one…..Go Cuse.
“Washington HS (South Bend, Ind.) standout David Perkins has announced his Class of 2012 decision for Notre Dame over Syracuse, Mississippi State, Michigan State and Tennessee.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Perkins was also offered by Iowa, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Minnesota, Purdue, Cincinnati, Oregon, Bowling Green, Ohio, SMU and Toledo.
As a wide receiver/running back during his junior season, Perkins rushed for 765 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 176 yards and four scores. At defensive end/outside linebacker, Perkins had 63 tackles, 16 for losses, and 13 sacks.
He played his first two years at Kalamazoo Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.).
The Irish now have 10 commitments”
Kids keep talking about having a great relationship with the SU staff, but still end up choosing other schools. It is obvious that kids are looking for more than relationships…… maybe a little cash might help! Go Cuse……..
Are these kids using SU? Think about it? Did kid put out false information about his pending commitment to SU to get Notre Dame to Offer? I think many of these kids are playing games and using media and scouting services to manipulate the recruiting process.
We need to get fucillo on the payroll it’s huuuuge!
Like I’ve stated before in the past, these kids are going to be a small fish in a big pond. Why not commit to a school where you may have a better shot at playing, making a name for yourself, and along the way re-establish a school’s program.
This kid wanted to stay closer to home, that’s one thing. Don’t sit there and waste other school’s recruiting time.
To be honest ND would be a hard school to turn down, but i feel they’re full of bulls#%@ promises.
I’m sorry to say this but he’s an ass…