When you think of recent recruiting specialists amongst the Syracuse football staff, names such as John Anselmo, Tyrone Wheatley and George McDonald come to mind. But SU linebackers coach Clark Lea is making a strong case to join that class of great ones. Lea has been an assistant at UCLA and Bowling Green, and his influence and constant conversation has ignited the Orange recruiting engine as of late. Outside linebacker Parris Bennett from Detroit committed to Syracuse on Monday after visiting over the weekend and tells The Fizz Lea was a big factor in his decision:
“My relationship with Coach Lea has been long and great. We’ve been in touch with each other since last June, just checking in with each other. He was great at the camps too.”
Obviously Lea sees a lot in Bennett having spoken with him for a whole year prior to his commitment. Give Lea credit also for landing Philly ILB Zaire Franklin and an Illinois defensive general in Colton Moskal in the recent weeks. For young student athletes, sometimes ties with low-profile coaches such as Lea are invaluable to a program. Lea has significantly factored into three decisions of SU’s current six-man 2014 class. That’s huge, especially this early into the summer swing.
As for Bennett, he pledged Syracuse over Pittsburgh. Orange fans should get used to this for the next few years. SU and Pitt will be going at it for many recruits, as both programs can both offer the ACC and the opportunity to face top-tier competition. Think back to the Big East, Syracuse lost out on DE Justin Moody and lost contact with¬†offensive lineman Alex Officer. But things are looking up now thanks to Bennett‚Äôs decision. He entertained a Panther offer a few weeks ago, but remained satisfied with Syracuse. There‚Äôs also a very¬†good possibility West Haven, Connecticut’s Ervin Philips comes on the Hill. SU was the first to offer him. Bennett also fielded offers from Central and Western Michigan, as well as Bowling Green and Toledo.
Bennett told The Fizz it was a great feeling to finally announce his verbal. He’s looking forward to competing with a strong, talented linebacking corps up at Syracuse. He found the facilities and competition as eye-popping difference makers. Always good to hear Manley Fieldhouse and its upgrades continue to impress visitors. Bennett’s been in close contact with Zaire Franklin, as Ziggy told The Fizz yesterday he was around for a bit during Bennett’s trip to SU this past weekend.
The three-star OLB handles a captain role next season with Detroit Jesuit.  When asked about his personal goals for his senior stint, Bennett boldly kept it simple:
“Just to come out, be a leader, and rack up victories. Winning is what drives me.”
Typically you hear a lot about conditioning or on-field quality for players looking to make specific improvements, but Bennett has his head focused on producing wins in the Motor City. Second commit this week for the Orange, with Bennett falling right behind “the next Shamarko” in defensive back Rodney Williams. The names keep filing in, and from top to bottom, whether its Shafer, McDonald, or Coach Lea, the SU coaching staff continues to do the nitty-gritty on the recruiting front prior to heat of summer camp.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
62 responses to “General Lea: Underrated LB Coach Reels in Syracuse Commit Parris Bennett”
@Brendan Glasheen
Brendan you nailed it again,great article.
The thing that sticks out to me is the quality of the recruits is now getting. they may be a 3* to some,but for me they’re top shelf.
Before Ron Thompson came to Syracuse,the midwest region was out of bounds for Syracuse to recruit and it looks like things are different now with coaches like Clark Lea here at Syracuse.
Don’t you find it interesting,when you start to talk leadership,you look around and see a kid that’s already commited(Zaire Franklin)standing in a crowd watching/cheering for a kid like Parris Bennett to do his best in camp and come here to play?
Ingrediants needed for a winning team,comradery,trust,frienships are already being built with this group of recruits.
It’s been a real long time since I’ve witnessed anything like this. The GENERAL AND NATURAL LEADER of this group is Zaire Franklin.
Brendan,again I say thank you for putting together another great article. Great job.
Guy’s Ron,I like what were doing!!Sort of the hybrid LB/SS type hitting machines with speed!!Think Khaseem Greene type hitters and stripping LBs and SS’s?Speed is all the rage to go with our huge DL!!Man,I love hard hitting Def!!If Hunt or Drew Allen could just move the ball a little we’ll be fine!!We know we can run the ball!!
Ron,we did it again…bumped into each other!! I thought I was 1st to post then BAM TWO comments in one click!!
Ron,a lot of kids just need a change of scenery…god knows we’ve lost our share!!
Ron,next commit…Jason Cabinda..breaking the Jersey nut!!
Russell,back in 2001,because of the recruits we were bringing in for basketball,Jerry Mcnamara, Carmelo Athony and others,I posted that people needed to buy their tickets now because we were going to win the national championship. I was riding a natural high.
With this group of players that Coach Shafer is putting together,I’m starting to feel the same way. We’re getting good athletes who have size,speed and the ability to hit. I know that we’re not going to win a national championship right away,but if this trend continues,I can see Syracuse winning the ACC and getting invited to a BCS game in the new playoff system.
Russell,I’m excited,very excited. this Zaire Franklin kid is something special and can’t wait for them all to be on campus. Oh!thanks for the information on our latest recruit Jamal McGluster out of NJ
What I like best Ron is the sense of cohesion or group/team mission!Similar to a platoon in the Corps!!Espirit de Corps!Yeah maybe we gave Cuse 17 a rough go yesterday?His opinion is his but I just don’t like him knocking a Cuse education!Malone is a proud alum!
I don’t think he was trolling?
Russell,to be honest with you,besides getting Jason Cabinda,I think maybe we get some big time recruits like Juwann Winfree and maybe Saeed Blacknall to commit.
Last year someone mentioned that all we needed was for one big recruit(4*or5*) to commit and others would follow.
Could it be happening right before our eyes right now? I like the fact that recruits are out talking to their friends about coming to Syracuse. We just might get a surprise or two before national signing day.
I apologize to all of you,right now I’m so excited that I feel like a kid in a candy store around Christmas time.
As a long time football fan, I have to ask this question and perhaps the wise football savvy fans on this site can help me out here?
What is the Allure of programs like Notre Dame and Michigan over the Cuse? Seems like a dumb question many of you are thinking but hear me out: When we had D. McNabb, we went up to the Big House and kicked Big Blue’s butt….right now Michigan football is nothing special…….under GRob..we went to South Bend and beat Notre Dame…..My point is even when these schools suck, they can still out recruit us. All of these so called “Top Players” keep rejecting us for these so called big time programs….the pitch should be..if you come here, we will be Big Time again!
What these kids don’t seem to get, is that NY is one of the media centers of the free world, if you make it big here…you make it big. The football world is waiting for Cuse football to be relevant again and the players that help us get there will be stars!!
@Dr. Bill;
I believe the answer to your question is they both have big time boosters/alumni that have very deep pockets.
For a long time,I heard other recruiters were using the cold and snow against Syracuse on the recruiting trail. Well both Michigan and Notre Dame are in cold and snowy climates.
Will we ever be like other top programs that are stocked full of 4* & 5* athletes?
I hope not. If we ever get to that level,the kids become angry when they’re not playing enough and transfer out. I don’t want that happening here.
I honestly believe it’s the deep pocketed alumni/boosters that are drawing them away from us.
Bill,
Michigan and Notre Dame both have rabid fanbases that get 100,000+ to every game. We have trouble getting to 40,000. Kids want to know they have fans watching them, not doing other things on Saturday afternoon. Also, ND and Michigan have a better record of success the past decade, so that always helps. ND has the NBC deal so they are on national TV every week. You could go on and on why ND and Michigan get better recruits than us.
Coaches have to sell their souls to win in college football. Money, Money, Money is the answer for facilities and recruiting budgets. Look at Brian Kelly. He has his own personal G5 private jet for his recruiting trips. Greg Schiano had his own scarlet chopper with a big R on it and he would land right in a recruit’s practice field. You got to sell your program. Also Ron, Winfree is our bro….I’m sorry about that but the cues aren’t beating us out for that guy. Blacknall is a huge LSU lean and he was on campus this weekend. We got in his ear a little bit I’m not worried about Saeed. We have a player named Jawaun Johnson who might be the number 1 reciever in the country for 2015. He is from Glassboro, NJ. His brother is an RU alum who played for RU, DE George Johnson. Kid is the next Julio Jones bro.
@ron the domino theory was my concept from last year and I agree that right now we are going to get the high 3* and lower 4* like ah long paired with one Corey Holmes type player but if we have a good year in the ACC the domino theory will probably stand true because there is no way to hide success in a conference like the ACC in the big east no one gave a shit but the ACC gives us life we need to keep moving in the right direction we can’t stall out with at 4-8 like season the energy needs to keep going in the right direction 8-4 and the dominos start to click
he quality of committed linebackers is outstanding and could improve once Cabinda makes up his mind to come here.This group coupled with the current numbers might lead this defense and obtain national acclaim.HCSS is doing an outstanding job thus far in rebuilding this unit with, Lea’s assistance, of course.
@chris;
I couldn’t agree with you more. The coaching staff is kicking the hell out of anything the last staff accomplished.
@Cuse don’t luse;
Are you out of school for the summer out there? Better yet,did you pass? I made a statement yesterday,for me there isn’t any difference between a 3* or 4* athlete. I believe that we’re getting some top notch players and we have a long way to go. this weekend is huge for Syracuse. Chad Mavety and a couple of more highly regarded recruits will be on campus. let’s all hope they make a commitment.
Nice to see your still kicking with making your post.
@Mademan;
Damn bro!!!!you ruined my day,what’s up with that? I mentioned Winfree and Blacknell because I believe we’re a long way from signing on NLOI and recruits could change their minds. Your right we have to start selling SU to these recruits. Good response though and I appreciate the feed back. Bro be careful headed down the road. Coach Shafer has Syracuse headed in the right direction and it’s headed down I90 towards NJ.
After a little jovial banter Mademan,you have a nice day.
To be honest with you, I know alot of recruits in NJ and from what I’m hearing, the thing holding back SU is facilities and your stadium. The Dome is perfect for basketball but football kids want to see a crazy game day atmosphere. That’s why a while back I asked about the outdoor field I seen in the Ernie Davis movie.
It’s definetly the facilities. Why do you think ‘Cuse is setting up games at Giants stadium?
Kids today want the hoopla of playing for legimate contender, nobody thinks about trying to help rebuild a storied program. That would take too much work.
We are starting to get out of the dumps.
@Mademan;
That stadium was the old Archibold Stadium that got torn down and replaed with the Carrier Dome.
I’ve set in the snow at ND after a storm. They didn’t think it necessary to clean the snow out for the fans. We were peppered with snowballs from the ND fans and my son’s and I turned around and had to tell them if we got hit one more time we we going to come and kick the s**t out of them.
So I really don’t know if an open stadium would do the trick in Syracuse.
All that I can say Mademan is Coach Shafer has this team on the road to being relevant again. When that happens is when the “crazy game day atmosphere” is brought back from the dead.
Weather as some say is a factor, but winning and empty dome are the main reasons the recruits stay away from SU. That might be the reason the NYS kids feel like SU is like a plague. They are local and see the 1/3 filled dome game after game. Then they go to the Big House, Happy Valley or ND and see the tradition, and all the wins. You can’t blame them(too much)!! SU has lost too many kids from NYS. As you know(well some of you) NYS #1 players go to Mich, ND and PSU instead of SU. Like the RB from Buffalo(Ollison), who hardly mentioned SU. SU is not what these above named program are today-yet. But SU has tradition and a high number of wins over its history!! Win and a filled dome will bring in talent. SU just needs to make the dome unique. Its not going to be like the 100,000 seat big UNI’s out there. Look Camron Area at DUKE is a small unique environment. And they win 90% of their games there and are sold out every game!! Lets make the dome like that too.
5 MORE DAYS AND INTO THE ACC. Kiss the Big Least good-bye!!
CuseDontLuse,How do we explain BC who was winning there(in ACC) 1st three years with BE players but when they graduated they sunk to the depths?I think were bigger than BC tho!!SU and RU being in the NY market has enough recruits in the City,LI and New Jersey NOT TO mention the Eastern Pa area and FLA/GA…kids love the bright lights and no one but NY teams give you that!!Until now we didn’t have young energetic recruiters but as you said CDL a little winning will open the flood gates!The “U” also trended in the wrong direction after joining the ACC!I really don’t think the ACC was as good top to bottom as the BE at its best!!Bright lights baby Bright lights!!And with all that southern talent?No excuse man No excuse for ACC!JMHO
Think Domino boys ,Domino effect!Win and all will fall in place!NY and Jersey Proud..”Go Cuse”
Terry,we owned the BE and should take responsibility!No wonder FSU and Clemson types think were prideless Yankee’s..don’t knock what we were a major player in creating!!It’s not becoming and a lot of espn propaganda!I’ll always defend the BE!What do ya think the ACC is?Take a close look!!
Whoop’s scored again….77-?
@Russell MacEachern;
We have another D1 player that plays at Fayetteville Manlius HS Manlius NY for Coach Damien Rhodes.
Linebacker Zaire Ashley played along side Tyrone Wheatley Jr. who transferred to a school in the Buffalo area for his senior year. Coach Shafer has offered a scholarship to Zaire for the class of 2016.
Ron,I think Mademan is an honest informative RU fan who just likes to schmooze with other FB fans and knows a bit of whats happening in NJ with recruits!I think your response was classy as usual bro!NJ ain’t all bad!
Ron,I assume you heard about Adonis?The Timber Creek WR?No need for me to elaborate unless you ask!
@Russell MacEachern;
I just read where he commited to Rutgers.
Damn!!!!
CDL,what your basically saying is we need to create “critical mass”!
@Russell MacEachern;
I believe your right on Mademan. He has some interesting things to say and I don’t mind conversing with him at all.
Yeah I didn’t want to say much here but its out there now!RU should have around 7 more schollies but were gonna be right there with them soon as relates to recruiting!I’m more shocked at BC’s success this year after stinkin up the ACC for 4 years!
Ron,Terry,I think we can “wake up the ehoes” in the Dome if we start to win at least 7 or 8 games for now and get a few 4* guys to get the buzz going!The Dome when full(or almost) can be INTIMIDATING and a good place for FB!I love outdoor arenas but I don’t no if its realistic here? @Ron,are we recruiting Jimmy Hogan DE/TE from Franklin Lakes HS in NJ?6’5″ 230 3* guy is committing to someone today I think?
Yes we are Russell. The schools of interest are;Boston College, Buffalo, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, UCF.
If the order in which the schools are listed means anything,I would say Penn State is going to be the school of his choice.
@Russell MacEachern;
I guess that I have to go to town and get a set of spurs,cowboy hat,see if I can get horse some where or maybe just get a whole damn western outfit. hahahahahahaha.
Maybe you can stop by Elmira way and take Terry to the Saloon for some redeye and blackjack!
@Russell MacEachern;
That’s not a good idea Russ,not good at all. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. You have me laughing so hard,all. I have to get some kleenex to dry my eyes.
@Russell MacEachern;
I honestly thought after reading articles on these recruits that Coach Shafer and Coach McDonald would convince these recruits to come to Syracuse.
Corey Holmes top two choices are UCLA/ND
Qadree Ollison will probably commit to Penn State
Matt Domer,the latest news is he is leaning towards the University of Illinois
Ryan Mayes,after attending camp at Miami,they offered him a scholarship and he accepted.
So end result Russell, we lose out on 3(4*) and 1(3*) recruits.
We live on to fight another day. I know things are going to get better.
Ron I guess you rather be UConn or Temple right now huh!! Waiting in the abyss huh?? 4 more days and out of the BIG LEAST!! Can’t wait!!
Russ rather have the pirate drink of Coconut Run and some kind of juice!!
neither one Terry. I’m happy where I’m at and wouldn’t change it for the world.
Read my latest post Terry,before opening your mouth.
Terry,Damn you always get me salivating with your drinks of choice!Sounds refreshing and tasty…hows pineapple or cranberry work?I’d like to slip a quart of that into a game and I quit drinking 30 years ago!
Ron,did Hogan select a team?
Ron,I predict Ollison will chose the “other” school!LOL!!
What ever happened with Ervin Philip’s?From Conn?
No Russ,DE Jimmy Hogan has not made a commitment yet.
@Russell MacEachern;
I see where DE Jimmy Hogan committed to Rutgers on Friday.
Ervin Phillips is still uncommited.
It’s been reported,Ish Witter(Alonso HS)
Tampa,FL will visit campus in July.
Not much faith a Ramapo kid would go anywhere but Rutgers. Both Schiano and Pernetti went to Ramapo. Funny thing is its more BC country
@Malone;
You know more about whats happening with these kids coming out of high school in Jersey than most. In my opinion that makes you the “expert” and I will never second guess a person so “knowledgeable”about anything you have to say concerning this recruits.
I take everything that you and Russell hsay about the Jertsey kids as gosspel and wouldn’t trade that for anything. I for one am glad that both of you post here. If I had to rely on what people like Terry says all of the time,I think I’d go crazy.
Thanks for the information,it’s really apprecoiated.
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