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On April 2, 2013 Brandon Ginnetti threw a perfect game for Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, Connecticut. With a fastball that routinely reached mid-80, and even 90 miles per hour when he’d reach back for a little extra, Ginnetti was a top pitching prospect in Connecticut.
Flash forward to June 18, 2014, the date Ginnetti committed to Syracuse University’s football program as a defensive end. He certainly excelled at baseball, but a lot has changed since his no-hitter, and now Ginnetti thinks playing college football exclusively is his best option:
“As I got older I realized football was more the ticket for college that would be the better opportunity for me to be successful.”
Despite having an excellent relationship with baseball coach Dante Palazzo, Ginnetti’s high school football coach Joe Linta strongly influenced the defensive end to choose the college football path.
“[Linta’s] helped me a lot. He told me that football would be my sport and I listened to him and I started really taking football more seriously and that’s when really all the offers started coming in. He’s helped me get my name out there. He’s helped me send my film. He’s done a lot.”
It’s easy to see why Ginnetti followed the advice of his coach. In addition to play-calling at Hamden Hall Country Day, Linta is an NFL agent. He represents Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco as well as former Syracuse linebacker Marquise Spruill and many other players. The man knows football and thinks Ginnetti has what it takes to make it in the ACC.
Not everyone was as sold on Ginnetti as Coach Linta, however. Scout and Rivals did not rate Ginnetti at the time of his commitment—to which the Hamden Hall senior replies:
“I use that as fuel to make me work harder and be even better.”
8 responses to “Star High School Pitcher Brandon Ginnetti Set to be Syracuse Defensive End”
It’s going to be interesting to see what type of player Ginnetti is. Specifically the impact of a football guy like his Coach Joe Linta. Will he show up with the skills and ability necessary to be a solid D1/ACC player?
onE of those blue chip, under the radar guys that can make an impact with the program..
We will always have those who do and those who don’t amongst us. I find it really interesting that the people at these recruiting website don’t get off of their butts to do their jobs and rely on everyone else to do it for them. They didn’t/haven’t given 2013 Brandon Ginnetti one damn star and wasn’t reconized by any of them. On the other side of the coin you have his high school coach Joe Linta who also works as a NFL agent knows all about this kid and what he’s made off.
I have to ask all of you,who would you guys be listening to if Brandon Ginnetti were your son?
Welcome to the CUSE Brandon Ginnetti,I hope you have a very successful 4-5 years playing football here and hope that you enjoy you stay. Syracuse is a great school to be playing at and I’m sure that you’ve realized that Coach Shafer is the man that will leas the team/school to the promised land once again.
We’ll see RON!! In todays world talent sticks out. Maybe his BB future hurt his chances for a higher rank. But with these EARLY commits it ain’t over yet. The word is out on these guys. Hope we keep most of them!!
DO NOT FORGET THE KIDS OF PSABUSEDU!! THE NCAA DID!!
Totally agree Terry. It just seems funny to me that people can very with their opinions of others. Must be the color of the lenses that they’re looking at the world through.
The latest update on the new IPF. They had a crane in the Sough Manley parking lot taking the bleachers and sheds out that stood along the soccer field. They’re starting to dig a trench from the entrance doors at Manley Field House and digging up the parking lot to wher the new building is going and then running it into or onto the construction site. They’ve removed the trees and bleachers that use to be located between the track and the practice football field where the ladies played their lacrosse games at. My wife told me that they were pouring cement for the completion of the foundation of the building. Lot’s of activity going on up at Manley Field House guy’s,lots of activity. I think they will tell all that parked there in the past that we won’t be able to park there and tailgate this year. That’s going to be horrible.
Brandon Ginnetti will be well coached at SU and seems like the type of player that will give 100%. If he gains size and speed and shows the desire to be the best he can be, maybe he will be a big contributor down the road. Like all the young recruits, he has alot of work ahead of him with countless hours lifting weights, running and watching film – all of this while putting the time in to make the grades in class.
Ron they better hurry up with IPF!! They are way behind the schedule now??? But I also think with the pressure of bad facilities they rushed the IPF. It should of been a little better than what it is. After all do we want SU to be a top program. Don’t get me wrong the IPF will help, but its kind of bland in perspective to other major programs. It needs a better identity. But I guess whose complaining other than me!!
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