The Fizz caught up with¬†Philadelphia ILB Zaire Franklin and he‚Äôs excited to make his way up to Syracuse in the ’14 class. Franklin pledged SU about two weeks ago now. As each SU recruit gets plucked, the players‚Äô commitments go hand in hand with one another and a family has started to form. Through the power of social media this class is rapidly unifying via retweets and multiple mentions between Orange Nation and the players themselves.
QB commit AJ Long has helped ignite this Twitter frenzy, and has gotten some help from Franklin. The 3-star LB was a victim of Long’s Twitter powers, and has jumped on the bandwagon:
“Before I committed, he did one to me and KJ. To be honest, I probably had Syracuse as my favorite a month before I committed. But before I had Syracuse up there, add all the love on Twitter and some of the fans are hilarious. AJ and I reach out to guys all the time. I go after guys in Jersey, PA, and Maryland. The talks between AJ and I are a couple of times a week. After we’ve talked with a player, and one of us thinks we have a good chance at him, we tell each other to get fans to go blow up his Twitter page.”
This is just remarkable. The multitude of ways Twitter can be used on the recruiting front is huge. Perhaps high school recruiting has entered a completely new art form. Long is pushing for his cousin KJ Williams to go Orange, the battle has narrowed down to Syracuse and Michigan. Nassau OL Chad Mavety could land on the Hill by way of the Twitter as well. As for Franklin, the Twitter attention served as the cherry on top to his Orange decision. He’s felt welcomed and respected by the Syracuse fan base without even playing a down yet. As gifted as a player he is, Zaire says his sport of choice was actually a low priority when choosing SU:
“Football was actually one of the last things that had to do with my decision. Football is the easy part. It’s easy to decide what conference you want to play in or what defensive schemes are good. The real decision was whether I wanted to school there, and Syracuse was the one for me.”
Prioritizing school over sport is something we rarely see with high school students. At the end of the day, Franklin understands you’re committing to a school and not a team. His maturity as a high school junior is eye-popping and deserves a lot of respect. Even with the SU coaching staff, Zaire has been able to have regular conversation. He’s pumped to get to call these guys his coaches and get to work with them more closely:
“The coach I’ve probably talked to most is Coach Lea, the linebackers coach. He’s a great dude. We could talk on the phone anywhere from 10 minutes to 40 minutes. Literally not even half of it would be about football, anything from things going on with or things about Syracuse, even his life’s travels and things he’s been going through. Coach Shafer’s my man. I love Coach Shafer. He’s hilarious. Every time I talk to him he’s telling me how when someone (an opposing team) comes to the Dome, we’re going to kick their ass. The coaches overall are just great.”
The excitement that’s built from this up and coming class starts with the coaching staff. Franklin says he loves OC George McDonald. Obviously players slowly start from the bottom up with particular coaches who have recruited them, but most of the staff has got in on individual recruits. Zaire understands SU may not be competing in the most powerful football conference next season, but is aware of the opportunity:
“Let’s be honest, the SEC is probably the best conference in the country, but other than that there’s no other conference that is better than the ACC. I mean from top to bottom, now with Syracuse and Pittsburgh. The ACC is also very dedicated to academics. Look at North Carolina and Virginia. Also playing in the ACC you get to play Florida State, Clemson, and Miami.”
When you‚Äôre slated to play the best, you have to play your best. Franklin intends to make an immediate impact as part of the linebacking core in ’14. He says it doesn‚Äôt matter how much experience one has over the other, it‚Äôs about getting out there and proving himself.
“At the end of the day, it’s either you’re good or you’re not. The best players play. I feel like most coaches have that mentality. Sophomores and freshmen are killing it because they’re the better players. I’m not afraid of competition because if you’re good enough and put in the hard work, you’ll get the recognition that you deserve and everything will turn out for the best. If I start out as a role player, it’s not the end of the world.”
Franklin could have another young linebacker by his side in Colton Moskal, who committed to SU this weekend. Turns out, Zaire and Colton envisioned a SU bond:
“I was actually trying to get Colton to commit before me. I met him at the spring game. He’s a very good player. He got some big time offers, but we always kept in contact about Syracuse being at the top. It felt good to know I have someone I know already in the linebacker core. It means a lot to me.”
Franklin and Moskal begin the list of defensive players devoted to Syracuse. Judging by his mindset and will to succeed in everything he does, Zaire has a bright future.
Posted: Brendan Glasheen
129 responses to “Syracuse Commit Zaire Franklin Discusses the Influential Orange Twitter Mafia”
@Brendan Glasheen;
I was just wondering if Franklin and Moskal had ever met. This article answered a lot of questions for me. We’re also finding out that AJ Long and Zaire Franklin are working together(on twitter) to bring recruits to Syracuse.
Great,great article Brendan,thank you for connecting the dots.
One doesn’t get a chance to see a young person so level headed,mature,and smart as Mr. Franklin.
For a 17-18 year old young man,he shows leadership qualities that aren’t often displayed in the kids of today.
@Russell MacEachern;I guess after reading this article that AJ Long teaming with Zaire Franklin in twitting other recruits can’t be all bad. Can it?
Kentucky #1 on the recruting boards. WOW!!! That’s right Kentucky from the SEC. Tons of talent from all over the nation going there(verbaled). Wouldn’t you’d think SU could do as good. But why not?? After all Kentucky is no winning machine. SU slipped to 69Th from a wonderful 63rd last week. What’s the issue here Kentucky sky-high and the CUSE drowning!! Thank god dougie stabbed SU in the back and left. If he stayed the class no doubt would be in the 80/90’s!!
@Terry – ESPN has Kentucky at 11. They are a large school with successful athletics. They are in the SEC. They have a new high profile coach, and they have playing time. I am not surprised at all they are recruiting well. I will be a little surprised if they sustain that 4-5 years from now. We are on the right path. It will not happen overnight. Consistent winning in a better conference is needed and I think we will be doing that.
For the record, I have heard a lot of noise about NYC vs CNY vs NJ for recruiting to go along with the usual griping about the MetLife games. ESPNs rankings have 5 NJ guys in the 150 to 1 from NY (NYC). The highest NJ is #2, the highest NY is #85. Include the whole top 300 and its NJ 10 to NY 1. I hope this helps explain why some of us see NJ as important recruiting grounds.
Malone Rivals and Yahoo have Kentucky # 1 so far. They might drop to 15Th at the worse by February 2014!! Whens the last time SU was in the top 15. Are you telling us that Kentucky is entitled to this ranking because of the SEC, new hot coach, large school and playing time. Well to me SU is a large program with tons of tradition that Ken-Tuc-Key does not have. HCSS is a hot coach at least to us CUSE fans. I see playing time for this years FR and probably next years FR too. OK SU does not play in the SEC, but at least its out of the Big Least and that will help. All I’m saying is If others can do it that are below SU(ranked 69) SU should too. GROB/dougie totally hurt the talent gathering for SU. I hear all the excitement and I’m excited to, but its still bothersome that others(Kentucky) are improving their classes greatly with poor records, while SU wallows in the basement of recruting talent. Confusing!!
I think most Syracuse fans know nothing about Z Franklin and will not until he hitd the field which I think happens early for him if he is as good as they say.A hard working young man already helping the team in recruiting and will probably shine in practice earning him some early time this season.
Terry,listen instead of talking once in a while…Malone is a smart,sensible Fizzfam Cuse alum who knows of what he speaks!SU is a small private BUT great school…KU is a large State school with loads of resource’s at their disposal and backed by their (cheating) conference and we don’t need to be them!!Were doing fine(w/o lowering our standards) and like Malone pointed out will do better when we crack the NJ nut!!He’s not saying Ky is better than us…just culturally different!
Plus if KY was in the BE last yr they would have finished 7th….UConn was better than KY last yr and we beat Missouri and RU beat Arkansas both on the road!!Not to forget Louisville stomped Fla…the BE has a winning record since “98” against the SEC!Not saying were better than LSU,Ala or GA…just a whole lot underrated!!No,even the ACC wasn’t better..just higher profile and touted by the espn talking heads!RIP,BE and Jersey native and movie star James Gandolfini aka “Tony Soprano” or King of North Jersey mob!Maybe I’ll have a few at the “Badda Bing”..this ones for you Jim!!
His friends called him “Buck”!!
Malone,guys from Fla on RU and Temple call NJ “little Florida” due to the intensity of football and depth of talent in a condensed area…that’s RESPECT!!All the big dogs know where to send scouts for talent or have a NJ recruiter’s on staff!
RIP… tony saprano! Overweight + narcotics = early demise.
Keeping on the NJ theme, SPEED and SIZE is coming out of that state, yearly at this point. PSU ND FLA etc pluck it traditionally, I’m diehard NY everything 1st… but NJ is most necessary in recruiting bb & fb!
Kentucky talk.. @FizzFam don’t let @terry get u upset! Obviously taking from my..”Kentuckys 15 r better than our 30″ statement I made recently.. it is true, but the statement was made in “ode” to ASPIRING FOR BETTER RECRUITS & NEW SU STANDARDS moving forward! Kentucky is a big BRAND, driven by bb success, SU mirrors them, but with vast fb tradition, in a weaker fb conference. UK bb success, the #1 fb conference, rabid fanbase & enthusiastic fb coaching.. has the fb recruits flocking to Lexington. I recognized it, and thought it can be SU some day soon? Until SU has 10-15 recruits that land them in the top10 to 25 fb recruiting classes, they haven’t arrived yet, UK has?
By the by, I never..less than 75%.. reread posts or direct statement reactions..its the Dipnomics way of doing business. If I invoke thought I win, & I always win, or is it profit? Enjoy ur weekend.. spurs win 105-100
All I’m saying is UK has a somewhat known entity at coach now, and that can be huge. He is also good, or proven. Look at what Penn St or OSU are able to do with restrictions and tarnish on the program because of what their coaches are now known to be. Last, and this can’t be overlooked even just a little, is the SEC. Look at the article above, Franklin says its the SEC then everyone else. So if I offer starting opportunity in what is widely acknowledged as the best conf in CFB of course they’re gonna think about it. Throw in a coach and they might commit. In two years if they aren’t competing with Vandy, UT, and Fla. that will die down. In 2 years, when HCSS is established, because still nobody has seen his HC ability, we will get LI and NJ back. We will compete for better Fla and Ga recruits. The ACC will be on solid footing (I think better than B1G or PAC at least). Things will turn.
Russ- if you do go to Satin Dolls have one for me. Thanks for the backup. FWIW, even Louisville, the greatest Athletic Department in the world (said with sarcasm by me, but not many others) is still fighting to get out of UK’s shadow. They will, but it points to the cache that UK has.
KJ Williams has me worried that he is another Q Spotswood. I think Mich has cooled on him, and I think he dropped a star. I would happily accept his talents at Cuse, but I am feeling Corey Holmes will be better. Also worry if the sudden recognition of our RB depth won’t hurt us recruiting that position for 2014
Just read an article that said (in addition to everything that has been said here already) that two very big reasons for the surge are location and fanbase. They got 50,000 to their spring game. let that sink in. 2-10 and 50K show to the spring game. Lexington is 5 hours from Ceveland and 1.5 from Cincy. They are recruiting 3 and 4 stars from Ohio (3 of their 5 4 stars). They offer PT over OSU, close to home, and are in the SEC. Stoops is from Ohio, so he knows the areas. Maybe that is another reason Jones left Cincy, he didn’t want to sit in AAC and go up against the SEC. FWIW UT is in the top 5 too.
Malone,I read Corey Holmes has grade issues?I’m not sure of the extent of the problem!KJ is a flake!!(did I say that?)
Seems everyone RU is recruiting Michigan jumps in and offers!First KJ then Jabrill Peppers now Freddy Canteen!!Canteen might not bite tho!With all there talent why?Dougie had teams do that to us too!
SU (dougie)would find hidden gems and lazy teams would watch then offer!
Russell so you can listen now. Since you think I’m not sensible, I’m dumb and not a Fizzfan CUSE Alum I just don’t get it. Well I do!! Just in a different light!! In my home town is buried the only Heisman Throphy winner and member of SU’s only NC team. That was at its time one of the most sorrowful times in my community’s life. So total following with research is very important to me and others concerning SUFB. I sat my a$$ on concrete in the late 50’s at Archibold and attend games at the beloved DOME now. And that was before Fizz was even sperm/egg!! I’m not saying Alabama, Lsu,Florida or Gerogia. I’m saying Kentucky for “cripes” sake. A bottom dweller. Recently the news has been positive about the offers for SU!! Yet SU is 69th now. Its early but still SU will still be in the 50’s if its lucky at the end of the year!! You mentioned cheating well that’s not Kentucky that’s just jealousy on your part for the success of the SEC. You mentioned NJ. NJ will not answer all of our talent issues either. Yes we are private and small but as I mentioned above we have some what of a tradition. Does Kentucky??? I have been a Syracuse Football fan since the 50’s(1950 BD) and proud of it. I stay educated by the facts about SUFB. Not what others think!! I’m objective, because its my hobby now in my retirement. As of now why is Kentucky rated #1 by 2 networks on recruting and SU is rated 69th. Its early yes, but aren’t we hearing daily about all the offers yet nothing is happening. I took all the crap from GROB and dougie as well. Its time for results!! I’m a frantic CUSE fan no doubt. Why no or very little movement this year in recruitment so far. Many programs are already in double figures. Since the media(a source) is improving, but still lacking on some issues(NYC/LI recruting) they are informative about recruting. Sorry about Russell like babbling but I do listen and think and walk at the same time. Try it Russ it might work for you too!!
Terry,Terry,Terry; Let me give you what I think the reason for Kentuck’s rise in the rankings.
“rabidfanbase”=rabidfanbase=money,money,money. Does anyone actually think that by hiring a new coach that he can turn a program around in one year? I don’t think so.
when I looked at the standings on the rivals website,it appears to me that they’re using the fuzzy math that the politicians use down in Washington DC.
Kentucky as of 6/20/2013 has 18 total commits with 5(4*) and 12(3*)recruits.
Terry your comments tell me that if Syracuse had 3-4(5*) and 12(3*) recruits that we should be ranked as high as Kentucky is right now. Aren’t you the one that is always telling the rest of us that,we can’t survive by getting the 3* recruits? How do we know what those players are capable of doing on the field? I just don’t get it!!! If they are recruited by anyone other than Syracuse,they have to be good,but if Syracuse recruits them the arguement is we can’t survive.
Any list that’s printed this early in the year tells me,way too much guessing going on,the people who do the polling prints the standings just to get people like you all fired up and shooting their mouths off because of the school they support isn’t doing so good.
“rabidfanbase”=big time boosters that are willing too shell out some big time money. When things(a turn around)happens this quickly at a school,how come the NCAA doesn’t start an investigation into why it’s happening?
In the end Terry,you might think it’s a giant step for Kentucky. I think they are trying to do exactly what Syracuse is trying to do. Build a good football program. The only difference is Syracuse does everything above board and doesn’t have the big time donors that other schools have.
Terry,no one has ever thought or called you dumb. One shouldn’t be critizing others when they have different points of view. @Malone & @Russell MacEachern are two of the most knowledgeable people posting on this website. Respect is something that is earned. Once you’ve earned it,you shouldn’t be afraid to give it back to the people who have different opinions from your’s.
@Russell MacEachern;
Russell,I want to quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by saying “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
I just read an article telling us that Nancy Cantor will be working as one of it’s presidents at Rutgers University Campus in Newark NJ after leaving Syracuse in 2014.
“Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Rutgers just recruited its classiest prospect. Go Cantor..!
@Malone.. interesting, I do believe your thought on HCSS,he has a huge opportunity,and I think SU fb will show up for him.
@terry&russ.. you guys both rock, in different ways, makes our fanbase that much cooler! We are on the same side, just 50,000 + perspectives on how to win,and get it done. We may need an early summer truce already gentlemen. 🙂
* recruiting: under radar Ct. Rb will visit this weekend, with so many campers & visits, commits are gonna start coming. I still say quality is quality: would take kj Williams any day!
@Dippaveli aka the dipper;
Good post dip;best news I’ve had in a long time. After adding $300 million and growing Syracuses debt to $469 million,she decides she’s had enough. Isn’t it funny that she was getting over a million per year here at Syracuse? Not including was her husband and assistant chancellors yearly salary. Amazing!!!!!
Ron- My point I was trying to make is other lesser programs are ahead of SU in talent farming across the USA. 1st Ken-tuc-key should not have a shot at any # 1 recruiting classes PERIOD!! Their program like I said is a bottom feeder. While SU is rated a 69th. That should be better if you look at their records. Its just all the talk about SU and its bump up in recruting top talent and yet so far no movement. While other joker programs are on cloud nine.
And Ron you insulted us SU fans on this site when you say Malone and Russ are “2 of the most knowledgeable people posting on this site”!! What all the rest of us are chicken feed!! At times their comments are enlightening, but at times their comments are not fact based at all. This is not a fictional site as far as I know!! So us knowledgeable fans out their should just clam up because we are not in the know how fraternity of Malone, Ron and Russ!! That won’t happen, because we have to keep those perfectionists honest. Just call us the Animal House group of the Fizz!! Pass the chicken feed please!!
@Terry;
I won’t belittle any of the other people who post here by legitimizing your comment. I see the problen as you thinking Terry that your always right and everyone that doesn’t agree with you always wrong.
Terry you go off on a tangent on any given subject. Maybe it would help if you changed your way of presenting you point of view and stop being so bull headed.
Just letting you know, the comment you made “fraternity of Malone,Ron and Russ” totally uncalled for. The three of us have different views than yours,so you start throwing insults towards us. Just shows me Terry,how childish you really are.
I’ve never met Malone or Russell,but I will say Terry that I really enjoy reading what they have to say.
So from one old timer to the other,grow up and start acting your damn age. Everyone that uses this website is a valuable member,and that includes you too.
@Terry;
You,Russell and I are the old timers of this group. I too started to follow Syracuse in 1959. When did you say you started? The only new information that you’ve provided me Terry is that you live in Elmira. Everything else that you’ve talked about here has nothing to do with the history of our beloved Syracuse Football. I’m not trying to put you on a spot and making you uncomfortable here in front of all the members.
We share a lot of history and knowledge about the program and really do agree on a lot of things wither you see it or not.
Let’s wait and see at the end of the year where Kentucky is ranked,before we discuss it any futher ok. It doesn’t matter to me where they finish. IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER and it’s not worth getting bent out of shape over it.
If I make the trip to Elmira,will you take me to Ernie Davis’ grave site?
Terry,its hard for me to understand why you think that I who always supported your right to your opinion would think the me “of all people” are insulting or disrespecting your opinion?Me Ron and maybe 1 or 2 others as olders fans of “Cuse” know if we all agreed on everything we might as well be parrots!So don’t take difference of opinion as attack!What I like so much about Ron and Dipper is their courage of conviction and would like them under any circumstance’s out of respect!Malone is a real gentleman and fellow proud Jerseyan is someone whom I really like! Terry,I think your points are sometimes valid (mostly)and sometimes alcohol induced BUT your love of Cuse is never questioned!I also admire your persistence and think you enrich the site as “different voice”!I think your spot on in a lot of stuff relating to recruiting altho ur a tad provincial but whats wrong with that?Terry and I are also Cuse AND Jersey proud!Just realize that were all friends here!
EDIT:last sentence in above post;Sorry Terry…@Malone and I are Cuse and Jersey proud!I know you “Terry” dont like NJ but its OK…thats your right!
Not to forget Carlton…another whose posts I enjoy and listen closely too!Our Rochester area(I know the town but respectfully not sure I should announce) transplant to Tally!
@Russell MacEachern;
Coach Shafer was so impressed with the efforts given (by 5’10” 185 lb N/R CB/S Rodney Williams out of Cherry Hill West High School, Cherry Hill NJ) that a scholarship was offered immediately to him after football camp. Mr. Williams will make another visit to Syracuse in a couple of weeks.
The comments he made after the camp indicate to me that he will commit to Syracuse before the end of Summer.
School of interest are;Boston College, Buffalo, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Temple
@Russell MacEachern;
Penn State offered another running back Tuesday night in Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius running back Qadree Ollison.
Russell,this is probably the reason Qadree changed his mind about attending Syracuse Football Camp.
The list of schools interested in him is very interesting;
Boston College, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Russell,I apologize for taking so long to answer your question.
Ron,Im happy to see were making inroads in NJ cause when we were a power we always were STOCKED w/Jersey talent!I noticed that the shortage of Jersey power coincided with our decline(thanx 2 Grob)!!CHwest is a pretty good S.Jersey public school where I think RU 3rd rd draft choice cb Logan Ryan went to HS!!Ollison will either go to RU or PSU!Don’t no why but RU is almost finished with next years recruiting with 17 commits and yesterday #1 FB in nation 5’11” 240lb 3* Jacob Kraut from Neptune Beach,Fla committed to RU!!Its unreal how BC and RU are in top 20 recruiting this year?RU already has 6 Fla guys and a couple are there right now being wooed and there seems to be a buzz!!Thank god we got HCSS now cause Dougie wasn’t getting the talent we needed to succeed over the ACC!I think we’ll have a top 40+ type class this year and better next if we win!!I wish KJ Wms would commit or get off the pot?!?!UMich offered Fred Canteen so why won’t they accept KJs commit?I hear he lost a star?Crazy man crazy!
@Ron – Ollison is one of the main reasons I mentioned the difficulty recruiting RB’s in 2014 above. I think recruits are seeing we don’t have room to let them play right away. I think we have a good shot with Erv Phillips from CT. He seems to like us from what I’ve seen from the Twitter Army the article mentions, and we were on him early. We need Mavety, and D-line help. We are flush with LB talent all of a sudden this recruiting cycle. Istill want to see WR’s and would gladly take KJ and/or Holmes. Not too confident about Holmes. I think we still have a VERY outside shot at Holley, but don’t hold my breath. I ultimately think he goes PSU or Fla. His mom wants him to stay in the NE and again, we were in early. I think Williams from Cherry Hill might commit this weekend. He seems high on us right now, but I want to see more CB and Safety help.
Just another thought. If UK is #1,doesn’t that also mean that they are out recruiting Bama, ND, USC, etc.? How does their success make us look bad (but not everyone else)?
Are your crops thriving with all the rain we’ve had?I guess your working now at 1140 am?This seasons going to be real interesting man,real interesting!7-5 before we go to our bowl is my prediction and yes Im starting to think Clemson is in trouble when they play us!
Ron, Russ and Malone no one is any better or more knowledgeable than any other fans out there. That’s sniping like a Rutgirls fan does. We have to welcome all SUFB fans to this site without saying some are better knowledged than others. If their post are imformative grab onto them for the info. If their post are rude,wrong factually or anything subjective you make a comment about it and go on. Stop this “more knowledgeable” stuff its such unbecoming of a true CUSE fan!! You sound like dougie!!
@Russell MacEachern;
your right again;we started to struggle when we lost the state of NJ ande I’m glad as a Syracuse Fan that we’re in the procesas of taking that state over again as the #1 school to commit too in the Northeast. Yes my garden is doing real fine,corn is already knee high and everything else is growing like weeds. Looks real promising this year.
@Malone
as far as I’m concerned those rankings mean absolutely nothing. I think its a sad state of affairs that confuses the hell out of people who put so much faith into them.
@Terry;
People need to understand that all college football programs are cyclical and all go through their ups and downs.Take a real hard look at what happened at Alabama between Bear Bryants passing and the hiring of Nick Saban. Auburn hasn’t been the same since the 1987 Sugar Bowl.South Carolina is a power house thanks to Steve Spurrier,LSU is having problems. I won’t even go into USC,Stanford,UCLA,Michigan,Michigan St. or Ohio State,Georgia,Texas. After getting the “DEATH PENALTY” SMU is rebuilding their program. It isn’t going to happen over night it takes time.
When I say that someone is more knowledgable Terry I mean it as an compliment to those I mention. It’s not an insult at all.
My youngest son is more knowledgeable than I Terry,he can tell you about a player that graduated from Syracuse years ago. Where we set he describes the play to the people who set around us and they all love it. Do I consider that an insult because of the knowledge of the game that he has and is willing to share with other people. That’s how I consider both Russ and Malone knowledgeable,they know of what they speak.
@Russell MacEachern;
I’m considered a temporary employee at Syracuse. I don’t work during the summer months at all. My garden and granddaughters softball seasons keeps me real busy. My previous years work performance dictates on wither I get recalled to work in the fall. If I fail I don’t get recalled and am out of a job.
THe pundits have Clemson as one of the teams that WILL MAKE A RUN TO THE nATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME amnd ranked 15th. Based on their rankings Ruddell, I’m expecting the upset in the dome this year.
@Ron – I agree about class rankings, and I also think that if there was anything to it (and perception does count for something) it is still too early to be worried about (signing day is 8 months away).
@Terry – I don’t know where I haveever said I was better or more knowledgable than anyone here or anywhere. I may know some things others don’t and others definitly know things I don’t. I come here to share what I know and to learn from others who have a common love for Syracuse University. I don’t expect to agree with nor be agreed with on everything I say, but everyone is entitled to opinions and I am always curious to hear them in hopes that I learn something. If I have offended you in some way, I am not aware of it, but apologize for it. I am not here to anger or offend.
I am still not clear why UK’s early recruiting success upsets you so much. I say good for them, especially given what you correctly say about their pedigree. I do not think it will last, and it gives me hope that things like a strong conference and fan support might also be a boon to us soon. Time and victories will get our program moving like a freight train (an Express?) similar to the momentum of our own hoops program. Are you upset with the recruits choosing UK? the coaching staff for not doing more with what they have? the NCAA for not being more suspicious of UK? Please let me understand better.
@Russell MacEachern;
I guess(5‚Äô10‚Ä≥ 185 lb N/R CB/S Rodney Williams out of Cherry Hill West High School, Cherry Hill NJ)didn’t want to wait another couple weeks for his return trip to syracuse. He makes the 5th recruit to commit to Syracuse for the class of 2014.
Welcome to the Orangenation Rodney Williams.
@Russell MacEachern;
I apologize for misspelling your name in a previous post.
My damn fingers are just to damn big for these key boards. Sometimes they hit two different keys at the same time.
Yes Rodney! Called it this morning up above. I just knew. From the same neck of the woods as DDarius
@Malone;
WR Corey Cooper out of North Carolina has failed to meet the academic standards for admission to Syracuse and will be in the spring semister after going to prep school for the fall semister.
Now before anyone makes a stupid remark about Corey. If he’s going to prep school for one semister,that tells me that he didn’t miss by much on his SAT & ACT scores. I wish him luck and will see him in the spring of 2014.
When I first posted about Rodney I said he wasn’t a ranked player. I looked again and he’s rated a 3* athlete.
Have you or Russell heard any new news about DE Kurt Holuba out of Bergen Catholic HS or WR Juwann Winfree out of Dwight Morrow HS?
Malone,you know sometimes these kids just can’t or won’t look into the future to see what’s ahead for them. They live for the here and now and make decisions from that style of living. If any of the RB’s looked into next year they would find that Jerome Smith and Prince Tyson-Gulley will be graduating and leaving open the opportunity to join George Morris and Devanta Mcfarlane immediately in 2014.
Sometimes these 17-18 year old kids need direction. I wish their high school coaches would help them to understand.
This Rodney kid has to be a pretty darn good player if Penn State,Pittsburgh,Boston College and Temple went after him too.
Ron,Winfree is taking his time from what I hear and I don’t think he’s leaning any particular way!Holuba was in Calif at Stanford this week for a visit and I can’t blame him if he choose’s them!Its a different world there for a kid from NY or NJ as I no from being in the Marines!!We can’t win them all (sorry Terry)!
Ron,I think we “the board” misunderstand Terry who seems to have an intuitive and unique insight to the NY HS football recruiting scene that the rest of us sorely lack!!I think we should finally concede that we were just all jealous of that erudite follower of all things “Cuse” (esp FB)!Terry is probably the #1 POSTER on this “Fizz” site!I’m sorry you thought we were dis’n you Terry!
This Williams kid from NJ is in the SU mold. 2 star, but can play many positions. DB/S looks like his main option. My gut says give him a shot at WR. Jigger bug kid of player. He really so far has no hype at the 2 star position. I think thats great. I’m alway real spooky about 2 stars with hype. They usually just don’t pan out. SU might move up to 68 nationally. LOL!!
Terry,sometimes the stars don’t get it right as if you follow the NFL draft you’ll notice many 2* guys are 1st thru 5th rd draft choices?Maybe more 2* guys than $* guys!!The #1 pick this year was an UR or 2* guy coming out of HS!Rodney Wms might turn out to be a great STs demon or starting CB or Flanker?Who knows..its really about coaches evaluation in the long run!If HCSS offered its good enough for me guys!Remember Terry.. Khaseem Greene and Ryan Nassib were 2* guys and they were the BE’s best players last year!Id love for all our recruits to be 3* and 4* guys but they still have to prove it!Look at Drew Allen?We don’t know what were getting with him at QB this year yet our season may depend on him living up to his star billing!Do you agree Terry?
@Russell MacEachern;
Russell;Terry has always told the rest of us that Syracuse doesn’t go after the talent in NYS. Well I posted that Syracuse reached out too 27-30 different prospects and offered 23-24 scholarships to the NYS kids this year. His response was not all of them deserve scholarships.
I do agree that some kids during the GROB years got overlooked,Brian Leonard from Gouverneur NY and Jolann Dunbar from Syracuse NY. Both of these kids ended up in the NFL. How we ever overlooked these two,just befuddles the hell out of me.
Look I know Terry means well,I know when he doesn’t like a recruit,he throws him under the bus. I won’t do that,I believe that any kid that makes DivI football is ok with me. I try and stay focused on the kids from the NYC/LI area,why they don’t come here is still a problem and I agree questions need to be asked. But Russell who are we to tell a kid you have to come to Syracuse to play foootball? I want the kids that aren’t forced,but willing to come to Syracuse because of the academics and the love of the upstate region.
Terry isn’t the only one who follows the NYS kids and I know that he doesn’t have all the answers. I concede Russell that I’m not always right when I try making a certain point and I also know that Terry isn’t either.
We are a diverse group with everyone here having different points of view. Our opinions cover a lot of different subjects. It gives us all a chance Russell to learn. I’ve learned a hell of a lot more from your post Russell than anyone elses here. That isn’t a slam against anyone. Malone,you,the dipper,cusedontluse,Carlton are some of the most knowledgeable people to give to this board.
I agree with Terry on a lot of different things,it’s just to bad he doesn’t reckonize it and I’m not going to apologize to anyone for using the word knowledgeable. All of you are good,real good,the knowledge you bring to this board is very good and I ‘ve learned a lot from it.
Thank you all for sharing.