(Update: 10:46a. Junior Gnonkonde committed to North Carolina Sunday night.
Gnonkonde was Georgia Tech’s first commitment for 2012, pledging to the Yellow Jackets last February. But two weeks ago, Gnonkonde said coach Paul Johnson withdrew his scholarship because his test scores were too low.
Gnonkonde then became a hot commodity, picking up a half-dozen offers, including one from Syracuse. He will sign with UNC Wednesday and expects to be eligible for next season.)
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Syracuse is targeting 3-star DE Junior Gnonkonde just days before Signing Day, after he scored too low for Georgia Tech.¬†JG has¬†been showered with offers from UCF, UNC, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, and Wake Forest as well ¬†Florida seemed interested in offering Gnonkonde, but hasn’t made a move on him due to a full boat of 25 recruits¬†the school has¬†committed scholarships to. Nonetheless, Gators coach Will Muschamp told Gnonkonde’s AD John White that there may be room for him come Signing Day. White is remaining optimistic.
“They love him, but they’ve got 25 guys they think they’re going to sign next week. However, three or four could fall through on Signing Day. If so, it could open up a spot for Gnonkonde.”
SU faces stout competition for the Africa native.¬†In addition to the most recent outpouring of offers, Syracuse would have to¬†beat out¬†an existing scholarship from Ole Miss. However, his chances of coming north are already slim according to White, who also happens to be his legal guardian.¬†After GT withdrew its offer, coach Paul Johnson called UCF coach George O’Leary personally to get him an offer. That may explain why White feels that Junior is leaning towards the Knights.
“I would think he would sign with Central Florida,” White said. “But I am not sure if his first choice isn’t North Carolina.”
With a smorgasbord of offers to big time programs facing him, Gnonkonde would be a late-decision gem for Marrone if he decides to go Orange come Signing Day.¬† SU’s 2012 class is already defensively heavy, and adding Gnonkonde to the group would add to that. Gnonkonde would be exactly the type of¬†big defensive line talent¬†that¬†Marrone is looking for. Gnonkonde grew up playing of different sports and is still gaining football-specific experience, but he brings a lot of the physicality and talent required to be an effective pass-rusher.
It’s difficult for the Orange to market itself to guys who have garnered a lot of attention from dominant programs. If Florida comes through for Gnonkonde, White says “we might sign that [offer].” On the bright side, Gnonkonde reportedly spoke to a Syracuse assistant for 45 minutes at the airport on his way to visit Louisiana Tech.
Posted: Jake Moskowitz
9 responses to “See Ya in the ACC: Longshot Syracuse Recruit Gnonkonde Picks UNC”
I know you guys try to push this “under the radar” recruit stuff on everyone we go after, but this kid is clearly NOT under the radar. If he has high interest from Florida and UNC and was committed to Gtech before they found out he had awful test grades, then clearly high-major programs respect his talent. Also, it seems like we have no shot at this kid. He never visited us, and his top five (with official visits) consist of UNC, La Tech, UCF, Florida, and Georgia. No point in getting our hopes up for a kid who we will never hear his name again in the northeast
Chad, you’re absolutely right in terms of there being a slim (30% at best) chance of Gnonkonde coming to the ‘Cuse. So I wouldn’t be sitting here expecting him to come to SU, but it’s worth noting that he has received an offer–if not because he’s going to accept it, simply because that’s an offer that could go to another recruit–and spoken to an assistant. I think the angle is that he’s got the ratings of an ‘under the radar’ type recruit– 3-star, 106th ‘best’ at his position. He’s not a highly anticipated, highly ranked member of the 2012 class. Thanks for the read.
Nice to see “the Dougie”finally getting some consideration from a number of 3*kids from the south…why do most Pa/NJ types shy away from the “Dougie”?Every year Guase,Thomas,Wayne,Page,Al..right out of his own baileywick”Bronx” ignore him for the Scarlet Knights?do they know something we dont?Whats going on up there on the Hill?Rutgers..OK,but UConn?Akron?Fla.Int?Temple?shouldnt be happening..no way!!Step it up fellas where becoming the joke of the East.Btw..whats going on at B.C…theyve gone downhill in the last few years….imagine the Eagles being fearful of the competition from UConn?shame on them blocking Uconns oppurtunity too beat out Pitt for the other opening in the ACC.Serves them right getting stuck w/2 crummy football schools..down south eveybodys laughing at the ACC conferance,and a few are thinking of leaving for the Big12(Clemson,Fla St,MiamiMd.) to name a few!!B.C.s even contacted a conference or two in early talks.Someones got to put a stop too all this greed and madness!?!
Very legitimate concerns, Russell. Marrone should have the Bronx in the bag. Most worrisome school to me is Florida International. WAY out of the picture geographically, yet continues to win recruits from the Cuse. The only way to stop that is to develop a tradition of winning, much the way that Syracuse Basketball has. In order to do that, you need talented recruits. If you can’t get talented recruits because you don’t have a tradition of winning (Syracuse), you have to get under-the-radar talent, develop that talent into weapons, and work from there.
The fizz does know its bball season right?
Deadly accurate answer. You’ve hit the bueylsle!
Touchdown! That’s a really cool way of putting it!
That’s way more clever than I was expecting. Thanks!
At last, someone comes up with the “right” answer!