We’re now two weeks removed from National Signing Day, and the state of Syracuse football flips the page to a new chapter. The addition of George McDonald at offensive coordinator has excited the fan base to begin dreaming about the new attack.
Let’s take a look back at the offensive additions for Syracuse by position:
4 OL
3 WR
2 QB
2 TE
The Orange notably chased after some wide receivers once Doug Marrone bounced for Buffalo, and ended up with the likes of Corey Winfield, Corey Cooper, and Brisly Estime. It makes sense that SU also added a pair of quarterbacks in Austin Wilson and Mitch Kimble since there’s much youth and uncertainty at the position. Beckett Wales is still growing as a promising tight end, but the staff brings in Tyler Provo and Aaron Batten to provide depth. And finally, four offensive linemen made the 2013 class in the wake of Justin Pugh’s departure to create competition heading into spring practice.
The key missing pieces are a void of new running backs. The hype surrounding players such as Augustus Edwards and Laray Smith was through the roof. Both players decided to sign elsewhere for the primary reason of Marrone leaving. Edwards went with Miami, while¬†Smith went Hoosier to run track on top of football.¬†Not adding at least one back is a concern for SU. Jerome Smith and Prince Tyson-Gulley enter their senior seasons, and after them it’s uncertain.¬†Rome and PTG‚Äôs play in the Pinstripe Bowl undoubtedly makes the duo a big threat¬†in the ACC, but who takes over in ’14?
Behind Smith and Tyson-Gulley, there are only a few plausible replacements. Ashton Broyld is an obvious thought, considering the versatile speedster was used last season at multiple positions, mainly wide receiver and a little running back. You could argue Adonis Ameen-Moore is strictly limited to the tank-package. Devante McFarlene is listed as a RB, but we know the staff likes to move him all over the place. The only other active roster member that we could see getting the bulk of the carries is George Morris III. He redshirted last season, and his final year in high school included 1,045 rushing yards on 145 carries, and 17 touchdowns.
The Fizz looks ahead now to the top 3 2014 feature backs Syracuse should pursue.
- Donte Williams           6’2” 212 lbs.                Hillside High School, Durham, NC
A 4.4 40-yard dash shows Williams is a burner. Standing above six feet Williams is a rare specimen. He has tons of offers from top schools such as Notre Dame, Clemson, and Ohio State. However, some lower tier schools like Syracuse, North Carolina, and Minnesota are in on the Durham native. The 3-star Williams makes the top of our list since McDonald will try to reel him in with his southern connections. Cooper is a Raleigh native so there’s hope for McDonald to possibly convince Williams to play up on the Hill.
- Matt Doomer              6’0” 180 lbs.                Mount Caramel High School, Chicago, IL
Doomer is another player Syracuse should go after right away. An Illinois native means there could be a Shafer connection. SU has an offer on the table. Other schools in on Doomer include Cincinnati, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and Ohio State. The only schools, however, to offer the Windy City RB are Illinois, Northern Illinois, and the Orange. Shafer nabbed Winfield and Kimble once they committed to Northern Illinois, so we shouldn’t doubt he can convince Doomer to at least consider the Orange.
- Naesean Howard        5’11” 185 lbs.              West Genesee SHS, Camillus, NY    
A local product, Howard is already very high on Syracuse early in his recruitment. He has interest from Boston College, Connecticut, Nebraska, Penn State, and Utah. Buffalo and Syracuse are the only schools to offer the speedster thus far. He considers Syracuse his dream school. Howard told CNY Central back in October after receiving an SU offer was mind-blowing:
‚ÄúSyracuse has been my dream school since I was younger and knowing that I have a scholarship, that I can go there if I keep my grades up, and stay healthy in football that I could play for SU football, it’s nice.”
Howard seems like the most likely candidate to commit early to the program. On top of being a Camillus native, Howard already has plenty of relations with the Syracuse area.
It’s not time to worry about the Syracuse running game, but its crucial the program looks ahead to the future. The same scenario occurred this past offseason at QB. Nassib on the way out, and it looked like Syracuse had a sure lock in ZachAllen. That obviously didn’t work out, as SU scrambled late to bring in Kimble. The experience and talent is there this season with Smith and PTG, but the ultimate pitch the SU staff can make to 2014 running backs is the chance to play right away and fill a large void.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
27 responses to “RB Rush: The Fizz Ranks the Top 3 Backs Syracuse is Targeting This Offseason”
I hope my future West Genny alum does not let me down
@Brendan Glasheen;
Do you have information that we the fans don’t have concerning the running backs already that are on the team.
What about George Morris III,isn’t Adonis Ameem Moore returning in the fall? We have backs that are setting the bench waiting for their turn to play. Your comment about the coaching staff telling these recruits that they can play immediately is a little premature. The only way for a freshman to play is if one of the current backs get’s a career ending injured and can’t play for the rest on the season.
The NC kid won’t come to SU!! To big and has jets so bigger/better winning programs will sell their program easier than McDonald will. This WG kid everyone is high on I wonder???? I haven’t seen any film on him, but since Rouse was refused I guess SU just doesn’t want State High School Gatorade POY kids in the dome!! Just wondering!!!
In what world is Naesean Howard considered a “speedster”?. Yoi might as well put a call into SETI as well when you discover the world. Howard is barely considered a Div1 prospect by some. I doubt Syracuse wants him other than as a reward for local fans that they reward local players for their efforts.
Ron, those players were mentioned. I don’t think saying that someone can come in right away and contribute is premature. Moore is a short distance guy and we may be surprised by Morris but if McDonald can continue to work his magic, a higher tier recruit can definitely stake their claim to the bulk of the carries.
@Mark;
Thanks for offering your opinion and perspective on the running back situation,but unless one of the current RB’s on Syracuse’s roster becomes crippled in any way shape or form,there isn’t a freshman in the country that’s going to come in here and take a position away from anyone of them.
Sorry,but that’s how I see 2013 unfolding. Syracuse has way to many horses that can run/carry the football.
@Mark;
I don’t want you feel that I’m a rude person when I respond,but let me explain when I say the cupboard is full and it’s going to be real hard for a freshman to come in here and start. I feel the coaching staff is looking forward and is trying to restock our RB’s for 2015 and beyond. Here is a list of the current RB’s on Syracuse’s Roster.
Ashton Broyld SO.
Greg Tobias SR.
PTG SR.
Myles Davis SO. Maybe a Red Shirt season in 2012
George Morris III SO. Maybe a Red Shirt season in 2012
Steve Rene SR.
Devante McFarlane SO. Maybe a Red Shirt season in 2012
Clay Cleveland SR.
Travon Burke JR.
AAM JR.
Jerome Smith SR.
Mitchell Piasechi JR.
As you can see Syracuse will lose 5 players to graduation in 2013. That is why they’re going after RB’s for the class of 2014. I hope I’ve explained it a little more clearly.
@Terry;
Did you know that we already have a RB from Syracuse on the team? Travon Burke who is a JR this year is out of Corcoran High School.
Amazing–priceless man–just priceless!
I really dont think that not landing a RB in this class was that bad of a thing. Reality is that Smith, Moore and PTG play alot next year and Morris is in the wings ready to play. Since Marrone ruined Moores freshman year by playing him, how about Moore redshirting this year, so the following few years we have Morris and Moore the MM’s leading us in the backfield. With Miami possibly be sanctioned why did Edwards pick Miami and if they are can he back out of his committment?
Guys/gals you can tell we live in the USA. We let people like Ron voice his unclear mind on anything!!
@Terry;
After you last post here Terry it’s pretty damn clear you didn’t know anything about Travon Burke. If we do get one or two of these RB’s to commit to Syracuse they will not and I repeat not break the starting line up of the current RB’s on the team. Shafer and staff will Red Shirt them and then they might get playing time in 2015.
Or are you talking about my comments about the WBB Team? If you are,then let me tell you your the one who is missing out on something special. The girls play hard and are fun to watch.
Either way you look at it Terry,my comments are on point. You ought to get on board and watch them play.
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@Ron –
As much as I don’t like Terrie. I know plenty about Travon Burke, like how he is a walk on and will never see the field
Let’s Just remove these guys altogether as they will never see the field.
Travon Burke =Walk on
Clay Cleveland =Walk on
Mitchell P+Walk on.
Greg Tobias=Walk on
Myles Davis is a FB and would not play RB. He might even get moved back to LB which is his more natural position. Assuming he still has a scholarship after not playing for 3 years with constant injuries.
The only Real RB’s on the team are below. All on scholarship.
Ashton Broyld
George Morris
Jerome Smith
Devante Mcfarland
Prince Tyson Gulley
Adonis Ameen Moore
Steve Rene
Again, to agree with Ron’s point, the cupboard is stocked. Unless we sign a 5 star kid at RB, he doesn’t see the field next year.
For a walk on or a true freshman to play, we would have to hev at least 4 of the above kids get injured =Not going to happen.
@CuseOnly;
No matter how hard you try to tell someone the facts about the team they just won’t listen. Terry is in his own little world of make belief and won’t/doesn’t accept anyone’s different point of view.
Thanks for taking it a step further by helping to weed out a crowded field at the RB position.
If three of the above kids are seniors and two of the above kids could potentially be moved to other positions that leaves 2 backs one of which has no experience and another who is a goal line back. I think it is highly likely a kid for class of 2014 could come in and play right away.
@Jameson44;
James you assessment could be right. Let’s take a look at the list CuseOnly has provided us.
Ashton Broyld—plays as a sophomore 2013
George Morris—plays as a redshirt freshman–2013
Jerome Smith—graduates in 2013
Devante Mcfarland–plays as a redshirt freshman in 2013
Prince Tyson Gulley—graduates in 2013
Adonis Ameen Moore–plays as a junior
Steve Rene—graduates in 2013
George Morris III & Devante McFarland each have 4 years to play.
Ashton Broyld has 3 years to play if he stays at running back
Adonis Ameen Moore will graduate in 2014.
I agree with CuseOnly when he say’s that if they aren’t a 5* running back when they come in then they won’t start until 2015.
I think in 2014 the work load will be given to Ashton Broyld,George Morris III and Devante McFarland. Adonis Ameen Moore will be used in a short yardage situation to pick up 1st downs and at the goal line to get a touchdown. I really don’t see to many changes happening with the RB’s.
I do see your point and you could be right. The above comments are at most speculation and opinion as to what might happen in the near future for Syracuse Football.
It makes for great debate amongst the fans of the program. I just want to say I appreciate the dialogue.
@Ron & Jameson44
Are we talking about next year or 2 years from now?
Next year we are loaded at RB.
Even after Gulley, Rene and Smith graduate we still have 4 studs left. Keep in mind that last season, the most talented kids on the field didn’t even play. ALL of the talent at the skill positions in general were red-shirted.
You will find that when they get acclimated, Broyld, McFarland and Morris are far more talented than Smith, Gulley and Rene.
If you are talking 2 years from now, I am sure we are going to bring in some studs that will have an opportunity. As you can clearly see that in the offers out there, RB is a priority for next year’s class.
@CuseOnly;
I agree,I’m talking 2 years down the road before any newly recruited RB sees any playing time at Syracuse. Everyone has to remember now the kids that they are recruiting is for the class of 2014. The kids will be redshirt and will start to play in 2015.
Those are my thoughts CuseOnly and they aren’t about to change anytime soon.
@CuseOnly;
Your right about Broyld,McFarland and George Morris III. I’ve said all along that I believe that George Morris is the best of the current group of RB’s and I can’t wait for these three to start playing more.
Hey guy’s here’s the lastest that Syracuse has offered.
6’2″ 203 lb. S Cortez McDowell out of Locust Grove High School,Locust Grove GA.
The following is the list of schools that are after this kid.
Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan State, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Oregon, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, West Virginia.
Looks like Syracuse is mixing it up with the big boys to me.
I would remove AB from the RB list as Im not confident he can hang on to it and hes too tall!!I think TE OLB or SS are his best options to get the most out of his talent and get him to the next level…JMO..Rene is just a bad KRer IMO..every class should take 1 rb for unexpected situations or in case he turn into a RR!!
as unlikely as the last point is lol!!YNK?
Ron,ya notice how skinny the LBers recruited have become in the last few years since the SPEED emphasis?At first glance they look like WR candidates..Haha..I guess they bulk up 15/25 lbs w/o losing much speed!!
Russ you know I haven’t seen too many 6′-6’3″ 205 lb linebackers playing in the NFL. If your going to hit someone and inflict some kind of hurt on them I feel the the linebackers should be 235/245 lbs.
I agree Ron!!I prefer stout 240 ILBers and tall 230 OLBers in the 4/3s !!
it would really be great to naesean howard of west genesee make it to the hill and become an excellent running back. i`ll be hoping for that!
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