Only a few weeks remain before the calendar flips from summer to fall, and in the midst of an anticipated season for Syracuse, we cannot forget the heart of the recruiting season really starts to heat up. Players are beginning their senior seasons, so The Fizz lists the next four recruits SU should target.
We pitched a rendition of an Orange Fantastic Four from New York when the summer began with hopes of landing some big-time names. But yet SU has snagged just one off our wish-list in Augustus Edwards (a total of 8 commits thus far). The expectation following Edwards’ commitment was to pull in Ebenezer Ogundeko, but he’ll remain quiet until December. Alex Officer may have big offers heading his way besides Pitt and Syracuse, and LaraySmith may be waiting on Oregon.
Doug Marrone has optimism regarding the trio remaining of the original quartet, but a back-up plan is always important. The Fizz provides an NIT-version of a final four, and the next tier of NYC recruits the program should push for.
Ousmane Camara: OLB, WR, S¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†6‚Äô3″ 240 lbs. ¬† ¬† ¬†Bayshore, NY
Perhaps the most versatile of the bunch, Camara is a very talented, package player that can do damage on both sides. He got an invite to a rising seniors camp hosted by SU earlier in the summer, but has yet to get an offer. The three-star Long island product also camped at Rutgers, Maryland and UConn. Buffalo, James Madison, Purdue, and Stony Brook make up his offer list, but after a visit with the Terps, Camara says they lead for his services. His profile certainly fits Marrone’s preach for athleticism. Best-suited for LB, Camara can also stretch the field on offense or even help a dwindling secondary.
Malique Belfort: WR¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†6‚Äô4″ 175 lbs. ¬† ¬† ¬†Staten Island, NY
Belfort easily has the most connections to SU. The two-star wideout attends Tottenville High, the same high school as Gus Edwards and Alvin Cornelius. Cornelius is a freshman at SU, so Belfort owns the number one receiver title and hopes to take over the highlight reel. He played little league with Gus, Laray Smith, and Cornelius, and says they talk about playing together all the time. Malique hasn’t got an offer, but he told Nation of Orange that Cornelius has influential.
“Yeah, AC plays a huge factor. We’re all close friends. Him being there and them moving to the ACC definitely makes me pay more attention to them. I trust Alvin, and if he sees something in them I should want to also. He knows it’s ultimately my decision, but he puts it in my ear to visit. Once that happens I’ll feel a whole new way about them.”
Travon Reid: WR/DB¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†5‚Äô11″ 175 lbs. ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬†Brooklyn, NY
Reid was surprised when he got an offer from the Orange back in June, since he hadn’t caught the attention of larger schools yet. He has been compared to current WR Brandon Reddish, who also went to Fort Hamilton High. He had tremendous sophomore and junior seasons, which has also nabbed him offers from Temple and UMass. Temple is now in the Big East, and SU has the ACC factor. He is listed as a receiver, but SU might want to put him at cornerback. Reid could help address the lack of depth in the secondary.
Rashaad Coward: DT¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†6‚Äô5″ 270 lbs. ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬† ¬†Brooklyn, NY¬†
Another Brooklyn native makes his way into our target list. He has had plenty of interest from Rutgers, Syracuse, UConn, West Virginia and Marshall. He gained 20 pounds in the off-season to improve his strength on the line of scrimmage, and would add another piece to the defensive line if if E.O. doesn’t choose Orange. Rashaad participated in the Nike Football Training Camp Baltimore over the summer and could be a sleeper pick-up.
New York City has been good to Syracuse, and the Orange are starting to put up a fence around the five boroughs. This new package of in-state players could continue that momentum. Add these four names to the previous “Fantastic Four” list, because high school football seasons are upon us and the stock watch for these new faces is just beginning.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
53 responses to “The Next Four: Syracuse Football Should Target This New Quartet of NYC Kids”
According to Rivals, Malique Belfort has some legit BCS offers and the list does not include a Syracuse offer. Any idea why Cuse hasn’t offered yet?
Much better article wise. Don’t get caught up in a one story focal point. like some pay for “rival” sites
whatever it takes..
Ill tell ya why IMO,were getting into 2nd tier guy’s but worthy recruits at least as far as Coward ,Reid and Camara goes cause if we don’t grab Coward or Camara RU or UConn will and we can’t have that fellas….most of the 1st level guys are gone or narrowed their lists already!!Im not sure about Belfort?
btw,Im not too sure what to make out of Belforts comment about feeling “feeling a whole new way”??…not much of a compliment coming from a guy the schools aren’t coming hard after?
I think the season usually tips the scale, right or left at this point. SU starting 3-1 ( which is possible), a recruit will see victories over Pitt & NW, which would weigh in SUs favor. Producing on the field always makes a team more attractive. Top10 recruiting programs do work all season to get better results.
“The work is half done, big fish to come!”- Doctor Seuss
Ah, Leave it to my nephew too quote a wise old sage,the good Dr Suess,I’ll remember the quote Dipper and also your prediction which I agree with a 3-1 start but hopefully better….and we all know the fish of whom you speak,(EO,AO,LS and a few of the above)!I hear the Dougie took the team on a paintball outing which pleases me to see him lighten up.
I’m glad that we’re talking some football here fellas.
What are we talking about when we describe a player as”second tier?” Are we saying 2&3 star athletes? DO ANY OF THEM PLAY THE GAME WITH HEART? Or do they play to the level of their star rating?
Most schools would love to get their hands on a player that stands 6’4″ and weighs 240 lbs.playing WR/OLB. All 4 of those young men listed above would be a welcomed addition to any school in the land.
I would think that with their friends committing to Syracuse, they too will follow.
As far as Ebenezer Ogundeko,Alex Officer and Laray Smith. go ahead and pencil them in as Orangemen folks. Just a hunch but I’m thinking that they all commit to the Cuse.
Go CUSE;
@Dip,Norma,don’t forget Chandler Jone’s play’s tonight with N.E. right on MNF on ESPN!!
@Ron,are you accusing me of inventing the term?That’s exactly what the 2nd or lesser recruited players are called!!…in Jersey they call them “seconds” like after everyones been fed!!…Did’nt I say grabbing anyone of these is important?Ron if your right so will Superman commit.LOL..just teasing ya Ron..HaHa..btw Did I not call them worthy?so whats wrong with using a term in modern usage?
@Russell Mac Eachern;calm down big fella,calm down. I was asking the question as to why their called second tier is all. I wasn’t accusing anyone of anything.
The reason I haven’t made a post lately is because all of you were having great discussions about our latest basketball recruit(Tyler Ennis) out of Cananda and I enjoyed reading all of them.
I’ve also read that Northwesterns big stud running back is out for the season due to an ACL injury. Russell I’m sure that we’re going to be fine in that game.
@Norma Stitz;I’m in your corner getting a little worried about the articles coming out of the Fort Drum practices. Please remember that when reading them where your reading from. Haven’t you ever wondered as to why Coach Marrone blocked out the press? I am a little confused as to why the Fizz would ask all of us if we thought the talent on the 2012 team was better than last years team? To find the answer to their question,all they need to do is read what we’re posting.
The articles in the PS today tells us how the players are fighting for the starting spots. All I can say is that it’s going to be interesting and I stand by by prediction of a 9-3 record this year.
Russell we’re not going to let you become negative. Keep the faith bro,keep the faith. If you get down on the Giants, switch over and watch the Tebow led Jets,they will pull out from suffering the dull-drums
GO CUSE;
@ron yeah I hear ya for sure on the press thing. I think it is also a big difference practicing and playing against your teammates and playing another team. Ps I think Belfort ends up Orange but the coaches have had him in camps and still haven’t offered so I wonder what they don’t like. Ot they may only be taking like 1 or 2 Wrs in this class and maybe they don’t want to give up on a player they like better for him. Not sure just interesting.
@Ron,your loyalty is becoming and I hope I don’t sound testy Ive been antsy and testy the closer we come too the season!The Dip’s been keeping me grounded otherwise I’ve been worrying about the first game!!God forbid we have bad fortune,not to mention my health problems of which I don’t speak!
Thanks a lot Ron,I value my friends!!
@Sorry Ron,Im with the Dipper on that one!!I’ve been following the Giants since Alex Webster and Y.A.Tittle in 1961!!
@Ron,u mean Timmy Rah Rah?LOl…
Fella’s we’ve tapped into a treasure trove of fan’s that started posting only recently?I would peek into the Fizz periodically 5 or 6 month’s ago to 2 or 3 comments at most??Since Ron,Norma,bgogo and Dipper chimed in the site’s exploded with fan’s!!!I hope there SU fan’s,we’ve also found a jealous troll or two!!
Go SU/Go NYG lol! Russ knows w/ 2rings in 2 years…the fanbase is beyond happy, Eli can lose every game…NYGs/SU 4ever…good joke tho lol! But the media stuff was wierd. Avoid q’s about Sales? Hotseat questions? Will Morgan start in the secondary “hoopla”? To downplay Ashton’s snaps? I do believe HCDM didnt wanna hear the questions- any questions!
Go Chandler & Gregory!
I knew you’d respond to the Bat-signal lol..You know it Dipper,never far?NYG/SU and we don’t give more than 1 oathe…boy we’re burning the the internet signal today!!
Dipper,does he ever?Thats what turns me off about him,he’s there for us ,not the other way around!!Keep saying what you FEEL Dip,thats your charm!!But give him the season,he’s earned that!!
Hey Russ, pressure breeds greatness! HCDM has my confidence,but this is THE season. McFarlane to RB is a shaky sign. Means coach isnt getting complacent, and a push to win may have coach thinking differently…adding running backs two weeks b4 the season? More playmakers? I’m very interested in the product he’ll field this season!
Game @8pm…Phillip Thomas sightings? Bailey had acouple carries for WAS. Hope Chandler sacks Vick, thatd be sweet!
6’5 240 is a monster product…dont forget our Milford guys: Poncho & Ohio DE (?)! Both guys are that size….depth depth depth….
New term alert: The GRob Sentence- a program doomed for 8 seasons with small recruits, inebility to tackle, and lacking playmakers, with NO loss of scholarships, or NCAA probation. Lol
Someone mentioned in an earlier post wishing Coach Marrone would move DB Devante McFarlane back behind center. I was listening to the Brentaxe show on tv and he was saying the move was made today because there wasn’t any of the RB’s in camp playing hard enough to separate themselves from the field to claim the starter at that position.
The comment was also made that the front 7 on the defensive side was big,stronger and faster and should have no problems stopping the run.
That’s encouraging and I don’t know if Coach Marrone is just making those comments to throw everyone off. Norma I think that everything will work itself out over the next few months. We’ll be fine.
GO CUSE;
@bigdip,I found your remark. I don’t know if you listen to the Brentaxe show,but the move was made today.
I guess we’ll all have to wait until the end of season and judge the results of the move if it’s final.
@Russell Mac Eachern,we do jabber a bit don’t we!!
@ron yeah I thin we will be fine.
@dip the other Milford kid is Myles Hillard. Big long athletic DEs. Gotta love those types of recruits
belfort wont’ qualify. that’s the solved mystery. and we are on second tier recruits, outside of those we’re waiting. wait to see who blooms late.
Officer is the # 1 get for SU this year. Need OL help big time!! It shows this year!!
@Ron,at our age its our last hurrah LOL,can’t think of anything better to yap about! @Dip,good man,Im proud of ya,keep talking cause ya know what ur talking about!!btw fella’s anyone notice the announcer’s giving RU shoutout’s??How about “Cuse”?I did’nt hear it?
@bgogo,good investigating,I sensed a problem their!!!thank’s!btw, beware of troll’s!
Great to see football back,anxiety and all!!G’nite Dipper,till tomorrow..
Guy’s,I just woke up and looking over some of the recent comment’s some of which some are hilarious,humorous,and could make for a great little book for fans?…How”d u guys like the game?We finally got a late shout-out about the asst coach!Did you guys stay up for the whole game?No one has too ask me or my sidekick that question lol!!
@Russell Mac Eachern;I love this web page because of the people who post here. We have had some great conversations over the last few months concerning Syracuse Athletics. We debate subjects without getting upset and except for a few jokers who drop by once in awhile,don’t use foul language when doing it.
When I read the content of our young people’s(Bigdip & Cuse Don’t Luse)posts,it gives me assurance knowing that the next generation isn’t all brain dead and out of control.
In short Russell they’re all good people here and I really enjoy debating with them.
The good Lord has given me a good wife and a great family Russ. Over the last 20 years Syracuse University has given me the chance to meet and make new friends at both home and away games. Following Syracuse Universities Games over the years has given me great pleasure and memories and I wouldn’t change any of it.
One other thing Russell,our age has nothing to do with the excitement the young people bring to us and the games that are played. I love it all.
GO CUSE;
Ron,Your absolutely right about age and in here I feel were all one big family!!I’ve derived great pleasure on this site but unlike you unfortunately I have no wife or kids to share the ups and downs with!The reason I bring up age is when ur health starts to decline for the first time in ur life u realize how short life really is!!I love bantering esp with the Dipper,he’s like the kid I wish I had!!Inside were all kids and I love it!!
Russell, have you noticed that our buddy Terry is back!!!!
I don’t mind anyone who deploys “constructive criticism” when using this web site to talk Syracuse Athletics but when they display their anger it shows the rest of us that they just don’t know what they are talking about and should stay off of the web page.
So Terry, if you want to be social by using “constructive criticism” when you post,then I will be the first in line to welcome you back.
I agree we need Alex Officer in Orange. We all await his decision but I feel that he’s already made up his mind by becoming an Orangemen and just hasn’t told us yet.
GO CUSE;
Ron,I agree to a point,but I BELIEVE he’s a real fan an entitled to his dissenting opinion….were all different Ron,don’t lower yourself to paying him any mind…your a leader and integral part of the site.Show him the light by example!!Thanks friend!!btw your post brought my emotions to the surface and I had to leave my modum temporarily!Gee Thanks??
Russell, your WELCOME MY FRIEND. I didn’t plan on disrupting you emotions today and apologize to you for doing it.
have a good one ok.
Dip,I like the new term!The “Groobers Effect”,very clever!!!Doomed 8yr rule for hiring west coast coach’s foreast coast team!!
OK thanks Ron!!
Ron and Rus two trolls afraid of common sense!! I’m a SU fan who at times gets tired of your jabberness on this site. This site is meant for honest and sicere opinions. Not social stuff you guys bring up. Yes I’m not a HCDM/dougie fan(loved his hire though). I will be satisfied with a 6-6 record this year!! 5-7 or worse fire him. SIMPLE!!! Time to move on.
@Terry;so you have to be one of the so-called fans that hollered the loudest to fire Coach Pasqaloni. If you are then you need to take a long hard look at what it got you or should I say us. Now your starting the same old bull-s**t by yelling to everyone that we need to fire the Dougie because he isn’t living up to your standards.
It takes a good 5/6 years for a any coach to come in and turn a program around. We all talk about the 5 game losing streak at the end of last year. I ask why? Coach Marrone had a team with a majority of GROB’s undersized players that couldn’t tackle anyone if their lives depended on it. We have a hand full of those players from the GROB era yet on the team.
I look for results from Coach Marrone and staff starting in 2013 when and I say WHEN he has a full squad of players that he has recruited. The class of 2013 looks very promising, probably the best bunch of players recruited since Tim Green and Chris Gedney were recruited. Add the class of 2013 to what’s already here and I believe the results will be noticeable for everyone to see.
At the end of 2013 will be Coach Marrone’s 5th year. let’s wait until then to see if we get any sort of accomplishment from the squad and let’s all see what the 2014 class brings before we start to holler about him being fired.
I want to say that I’m sorry for the fact that guy’s like Russell and I bore you for communicating with each other the way that we do,BUT YOU KNOW I CAN’T AND WON’T.
GO CUSE;
@Terry;my last post,would you consider that common sense? Coming from you probably not.
@Terry,Im alright with ur not enjoying our jabbering but I always supported and like opposing view’s or this would just be another mutual admiration society.If ur just gonna be negative,I for one will jump on Ron’s bandwagon were ur concerned!!I hope my support of you was’nt in vain?Ron’s been loyal to me and I’ve always said we need honest view’s from the Terrys and Tebows,are u the same person?You should reread my posts and show me where i’ve downed u!!I haven’t!!
@Ron,thats what I get for trying to keep the site open and comfortable for ALL SU fan’s reardless of their opinion!!Its obvious he speaks b4 he thinks as just a couple of hrs ago I took the high road!!Lets see if he has any common sense?Incessant jabbering?were we holding him prisoner to reading our posts?I’ve never criticised anyone’s sincere opinion’s!So long as were all “Cuse” fan’s!!Creep…!
@Ron,what’s up with people lately?Seem’s the upcoming seasons bringing up a full MOON over our site?I wonder if Terry had any toys when he was a kid??LOL,I’d hate to live under the same roof with that sad fan!!Boy is he always negative??
@Russell;he called us troll’s!! I impressed,or should I say dumb founded because I really don’t think he knows what they’re all about. I’ve never gone to another web site and criticized the school they represent or the fans that post.
GO FIGURE.
@Teary,lol if ur under 18 I’ll excuse ya for not knowing any better,but if your an adult(which I doubt)learn to play well in others playpens!!btw,thanks for keeping it clean!
You guys are strange in in ways I can’t explain. HCDM/dougie has had enough time after this year. Quality programs have fired their coaches for less than HCDM has done. You still refuse to see his losing record for his history. Ok you like to take pot shot at me for not really seeing HCDM’s progress. One more losing season is enough for him and his million $$$ contract. PS please let others on this site to. Your babble is nauseating!!!
@Terry,what coaches are you talking about? Joe Paterno,Bobby Bowden,who?
Rich Rodriques,left WVA and went to Michigan where after 4/5 years of losing was fired and then landed a job at the University of Arizona coaching the Wildcat’s. I don’t believe that his assistant GROB has an offer yet.
In 2010 the mighty Texas Longhorns went 5-7,and didn’t make a bowl. In 2012 they went 8-4 and made the Holiday Bowl. Disappointing to say the least,did they fire Mack Brown.
The worst complaining from the fans that I’ve ever heard was when Lloyd Carr out of Michigan lost his 1st two ballgames. Didn’t matter to them that he won the Big 10 Championship and went onto the Rose Bowl,and after the season ended retired.
So again who are you talking about? Coach Marrone isn’t going any where’s soon. I think we learned our lesson after we let Coach Pasqaloni go.
Just to let you know Russell and I don’t control this web site. We let guy’s like you,Tebow and imposters in that spew their ilk and hide behind a web page so no one knows who they are or where they’re from.
But anyway you look at it,I personally like the job that Coach Marrone is doing. He isn’t going anywhere so stop your complaining.
Love the feeback guys. I think Belfort is sort of a mystery because you’d think that with all the connections he has to top recruits and current players that at least an offer was already presented to him. Maybe it’s an academic thing or something, but it’s something worth digging deep for. As for the other candidates, Camara is legit. Very versatile. It’s just that to this point into the recruiting season, a next tier of recruits are going to be getting SU offers. We’d all love EO, Laray, and Officer, but Marrone can’t sit on those names forever.
Plus keep an eye out for Florida recruits. The Southern state players seem to have some solid interest. But priority remains with the NYC kids because they’re the group Marrone can make his best pitch to.
Any more names you guys think are worth keeping an eye out for?
@Terry is a joke right? I mean there is no way that is a serious, legit person right? Syracuse.com has let an inmate/patient out again.