At this time last year,¬†Syracuse had twice as many commitments¬†as it does right now. But Scott Shafer isn‚Äôt chasing a numbers game. Doug Marrone’s staff felt it had to pile up commits early to build the program. Shafer wants the best individuals players that are interested in team ball. So add 6‚Äô1‚Äù 215 lb. Zaire Franklin to the equation. The 3-star LB became SU‚Äôs third commit for the ’14 this weekend and according to Rivals he is the highest rated linebacker prospect to chose the Orange in over a decade.
SU beat out schools such as Arizona, Pittsburgh, UConn and Boston College for the Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania product (which is right outside of Philly). Franklin is ranked as the 20th best linebacker in the country, and is the third best 3-star prospect in the class. The La Salle College HS product told Syracuse.com that he was sold on the Syracuse environment, which felt real to him.
“Every one wants to tell you they have a family atmosphere. At the end of the day, only a very, very few preach that and Coach Shafer is a great guy and Coach Lea and Coach Bullough and Coach Daoust, they really believe in family.”
This is a terrific commitment to get things sparked in June. Franklin already has great size heading into his senior year. Imagine what he can accomplish in the weight room. He’s already bigger than nearly half of SU’s current linebacker corps. His fundamentals are sound, and he moves around like a top-tier college LB. Franklin’s pursuit to the football is electrifying, and his footwork when dropping back into coverage is coordinated and solid. He has a true athletic build and he should fit in nicely to a blitz-heavy defense that Shafer and Chuck Bullough like to run.
Franklin also has a great ability to change directions and adjust to play-action. The athleticism is really off the charts, and he has an uncanny knack for the football. His tackling is pure and he wraps up much better than you’d expect from a high school junior. Most recruiting sites list him as an outside linebacker, but he surely has the potential to play middle if he puts on a little more muscle.
The 3-star PA native visited the Hill this weekend and stayed with LB Cameron Lynch. He committed the day after he returned to his hometown, and seemed excited to spread the Syracuse name. Franklin received a¬†ton of congratulatory tweets¬†from fellow class of¬†’14 commit QB AJ Long, and together, the two are helping SU recruit others as well.
Franklin is only one body, but he comes in at the perfect time. Syracuse will lose Marquis Spruill after this season, but the next group will be poised with a ton of senior leadership. In ’14, mainstays Dyshawn Davis, Cam Lynch and JuCo transfers Luke Arciniega and Josh Kirkland will all be seniors. Add in talented rising stars like James Washington and freshman Marqez Hodge, and Franklin will be surrounded by one nasty group down the road.
Franklin also comes from an area where Syracuse is poised for more success: southeastern Pennsylvania. It’s an area where players like Ryan Nassib, Justin Pugh and Jarrod West hail from. Zaire is ready to recruit some of his teammates at La Salle and other players from the surrounding area.
Shafer took over as Syracuse’s head coach in the middle of January, and since then he has brought in nine 3-star prospects. The talent is getting better and better, and Franklin is no exception either. There’s no other family the LB would rather be a part of.
Posted: Kevin Fitzgerald
94 responses to “Quality Over Quantity: Add 3-Star LB Zaire Franklin to Syracuse’s ’14 Commits”
Such an exciting get. If he performs well this season he might end up with a 4 star rating before he gets to the orange.
Just shows how inept dougie really was about recruiting!!
@Kevin Fitzgerald;
Franklin received a ton of congratulatory tweets from fellow class of ’14 commit QB AJ Long, and together, the two are helping SU recruit others as well.
I like the fact that these two players along with the Robinson kid out of Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton, MD)is helping to recruit players to the Orange.
With Robinson,Long and Franklin talking with other players,there could be a chance they bring someone in that Shafer and crew haven’t even considered yet.
Syracuse has offered between 15-20 scholarships to players from the state of Illinois. Coach Shafer is also after some very key players from the state of Florida. I agree with Terry,Coach Shafer has definately stepped up the efforts in the recruiting game.
I think the tide is turning for Syracuse and Coach Shafer and staff are doing an excellant job recruiting players.
I posted earlier that Syracuse has offers out to 28(4*)recruits. It looks like that number is going to increase before national signing day in Feburary 2014.
I know it’s early in the season and it really doesn’t matter much,but with the three recruits that have committed,Syracuses class of 2014 ranking are as follows.
Scout ranked them at 64,Rivals ranked them at61 and 247 ranked them at 65. Big jump from last year.
Keep it going guys!
Ask and it shall be given…Ron and Terry know what I mean!!About time!!
KJ Williams is the guy to eye, its between SU and Mich! Maybe our Pa. guy, Zaire, can tip the favor toward SU? With HC Hoke looking to renew the Orange/Wolvies matchup.. Mich could be the new proverbial thorn in SU’s backside. ND has been lately… proof being, every summer in SU’s backyard…
But as I preposted: SU is out recruiting future opponents GT, Wake, BC Md, & Duke. But not even in the air of Clem, FSU, UV, VT, & ND! This would put SU in the middle of the pack talent wise. Not bad if it holds til signing day( which is way way off)..
Yessir great get just wanted to show I didn’t die
@RealityDipping;
Haven’t we played all of the powerhouse teams in tha ACC? Come to think of it,I think we’ve beaten them all at one point.
Let me say it again,the upset of the year is going to be in the dome against Clemson.
I kind of heard enough about KJ Williams going to Michigan. After he told us all that if Syracuse offered him a scholarship that he would commit the following week. He hasn’t as of yet,so my feelings towards him have cooled a little. Doln’t get me wrong here,I hope he does decide to come to Syracuse,but going back on your word really doesn’t play well in my game book.
@Cuse don’t luse;
With all of the bad weather that your area of the country is getting,I hope you asnd you family are staying safe.
Is school out yet in Texas? if you haven’t been paying attention lately,Syracuse is doing real fine recruiting. Can’t wait until those two monster OT & OG commit to Syracuse. Oh!! I forgot to say nice hearing from you again. Have a nice summer.
@Russell MacEachern;
I don’t know how you do it Russell,but have you noticed how the pundits have rated the class of 2014? We’ve jumped up to a mid 60 rating exactly where you thought we’d be.
All those years of training are starting to pay off for you. Keep it coming old friend, keep it coming.
This team will be in the top 35 by the end of recruiting. Wait until the “Mailman Mc Donald” kick it into gear. JUCO’s will be a big part of this programs success as it is at K State.
GO CUSE
Quantity and quality must be co-factors in this year’s Orange recruiting. One 4star rated player is not nearly enough to have us compete well in the ACC. Who is next on the hit parade?
Thanks Ron I appreciate the good thoughts I hope u are also well and yea I having been reading articles but haven’t had the time to write posts or read all of ur thoughts finals just finished anyways this class won’t be complete without Kj Williams or Corey Holmes it is that simple in my mind both have very strong reasons to come to the hill and both play a position of incredible need if both come that means we are on the rise if one comes then we are where we want to be on the way up if neither comes then syracuse football won’t be a thing for a while Zaire Franklin seems like a great get but with the depth at LB it will be awhile til u hear his name be called Holmes and Williams would be hard to keep off the field with our depth or lack of depth I should say
Guys,
Zaire is no doubt a huge get and Coach Shafer and company have reeled in some terrific recruits. But I don’t think it’s fair to say Shafer is shaming Marrone’s recruiting efforts. Coach Marrone brought in some fine athletes as well.
Are you guys that much more comfortable with Shafer in charge?
Dip,out recruiting who?BC is ranked 18th nationally and RU 21st nationally ahead of all NE team’s and PSU is in the top 20 too!But I’m very happy with the early results and its VERY promising for a top 40 style class this with more improvement if we make a bowl!!
Kevin,comfortable?You said a mouthful…Marrone was a solid coach but for some reason kid’s sensed he didn’t like recruiting hense the #60-90th ranked classes tho they were solid under the radar types the flashy guy’s wouldn’t come here to play for him and it affected the whole fanbase!Did you ever watch his coaches show?It was hard to watch he was so uncomfortable!!
@LouR,very good estimate!!I feel 35/45 for this year and maybe better next if we improve on the field!!Believe me recruiting is where games are won and confidence is built!!
LouR,JUCO’s?I hope not…that’s like building the program on stilts instead of a rock foundation!Juco’s have their place but hopefully not here except as an occasional filler type player!
the RealDipper,good overview neff(except BC whose killing it on the trail with Dazzio and Md w/Locksley)!You seem to have a good grasp of recruiting!But don’t get too excited yet lol!!
Kevin-this whole season is about the QB situation and who’s got that job. Its because of dougie that is happening!! Don’t forget that!!
@Kevin Fitzgerald;
Are you guys that much more comfortable with Shafer in charge?
I hate to vsay this but,So much energy with Shafer in charge. So YES,YES,YES!!!!!!
@Kevin Fitzgerald;
Your a kid,fresh out of diapers. Guys like Russell,Terry and I are old school and have seen a lot of Syracuse Football. We have seen a good portion of and know the history about the program.
When we get a coach in here full of “FIRE AND BRIMSTONE” guys really appreciate it.
Compare the recruiting between the two and your going to come to the conclusion that Shafer and company are way ahead of anything Marrone accomplished in the 4 years that he was here.
When a coach makes statements like “that damn ACC” and “we’re going to lock the doors behind them and kick the hell out of them” difenately fuels the fires of the BLUE COLLAR WORKING CLASS of the upstate area. I wish the season started tomorrow. can’t wait.
@Ron,with the kind of recruit were now getting my hopes have escalated to 1990s heights after a couple of LOI classes…say “16” to compete on even footing with anyone in the ACC!
@Russell MacEachern;
Russell,think back to when VT,Miami and Boston College left the BE and went to the ACC. Can you rmember what all the pundits were saying? They came from the BE and don’t know how to play the game. BC is in a rebuilding mode,Miami is struggling to stay relevnt and VT is having their problems as well. But at one time,not so long ago they dominated the ACC.
Syracuse will do fine and you may be right in saying that 2016 will be the year for us to break out and away from the pack.
If Coach Shafer can put a 2014 class together,like the type I think it’s going to be,then Russell,I think our break out season will come sooner than later.
I believe your on key when comparing the 2013 team to the teams of the 1990’s. Coach Shafer is doing everything the right way to have Syracuse compete,on an even keal,with the teams of the ACC.
Latest to recieve a scholarship from Syracuse is (N/R) 5’11” 200 lb RB Corey Holloway out of Eagles Landing High School,Mcdonough GA.
Give’em hell Ron!!
Ron,truthfully the ACC has been dominated by ol BE teams or why would they even want them!!5 or 6 years ago the “U” and even BC in Jags era and most of all VPI or VT although they were a littls down last year!I mean REALLY?What has FSU with all there 4 and 5 star recruits done since Bowden left!!And they got rid of him CAUSE they WERENT performing!!What was that? 5/6 yrs ago?And Clemson,another all bluster school who if they cont make some noise soon WF will pass by!!I see no reason we can’t make noise right away!!Opp’s WVU just scored again!!!
@Terry;
Terry,as you well know by now,I usually say what’s on my mind. During the last couple of years you and I have had our disagreements. In reality we do agree on a lot of what’s being debated on this website. One thing that comes to the fore,is the difference between Marrone and Shafer. When was the last time you read or remembered Syracuse putting offers out to 28+ (4*)recruits? I can’t remember when it happened last,can you? We have a coach that’s done it in his first year as a head coach. AMAZING!!!!!
@Russell MacEachern;
I just read an article saying that WVU’s prolific offense will be the same in 2013 as it was in 2012. Now let me see here,they moved to the Big 12 and went 7-5,have lost to Syracuse over the last three years totally destroying WVU in the Pinstripe Bowl dending the season at 7-6. I think if they wanted the truth about WVU’s offense they should have interviewed the coaching staff at Syracuse University before running a foolish article like that on their website.
Here’s a couple more recruits that haven’t decided yet, but seems to be really interested in Syracuse University.
N/R 6’2″ 210 lb MLB Colton Moskal out of Lake Zurich High School Lake Zurich Illinois.
Schools of interest are;
Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Syracuse, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Yale
3* 6’0″ 210 lb LB Parris Bennett out of University of Detroit Jesuit High School Detroit Michigan.
Schools of interest are;
Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio, Syracuse, Toledo, Western Michigan
Go CUSE;
@Carlton
Rumors and controversy over the last couple of years have coast the Athletic Director(Randy Spetman)his job. I guess the Bobby Bowden situation regarding his departure from the university is still having ramifications.
I know you’ve told us before,but I’m going to ask it again,are you sure everything is ok down at FSU?
@Ron,if they played up to there recruiting they should be Ala or OSU?Somethings missing and its not salesmen or fan support in Tally!I think they have too many salesmen and not enough technically sound coaches!Maybe Carlton can shed some light on this disparity!
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