On Saturday afternoon, Orange fans were treated to an emotional roller coaster by one of its top football targets in the last decade. Robert Washington verbally committed to play for SU after news broke just 15 minutes earlier that he would be a Florida Gator. While the Fizz has documented the Washington saga heavily in the past week, here is some fallout on the commitment.
Washington Works on Recruiting
Just because Washington verbally committed to SU doesn’t mean that his work is done. As a cornerstone in a program, Washington already has, and will continue to recruit other players to come to Central New York. Sometimes, all it takes is one player to help shift a program back towards relevance, and Washington certainly has the talent and mental drive to be one of these players. He has already stated that he wants to bring the Orange back into the national spotlight.
He May Have Saved Scott Shafer’s Job
It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which any SU football coach is given less flexibility than G-Rob, who miraculously managed to remain coach for an abysmal four seasons. With Shafer having completed his second year as head coach, some fans are already calling for his head. But, with Washington coming to SU in two years, Shafer may have loosened his leash for the time being. If the Orange fired its head coach, one could only guess what would happen to its most prized verbal commitment.
…And Yet, His Recruiting Is Not Finished
A verbal commitment, while reassuring, essentially means nothing these days. Washington clearly wants to play for the Orange, but things can change in a heartbeat. Despite already beating out programs like Alabama, Michigan, and Florida for the running back’s verbal, nothing is official until he signs his letter of intent. So for now, be happy with Washington’s decision, but don’t be surprised if something changes in the near future, especially considering how quick he was to switch his decision over the weekend.
Running Back Becomes a Team Strength
With a strong foundation at running back currently, and three more recruits coming to Syracuse next season, running back looks like a position that the Orange will have under lockdown for the next six or seven years. With explosive redshirt juniors George Morris II and Devante McFarlane already in the backfield, and Erv Phillips transitioning to a running back, the future certainly looks bright. SU will be bringing in Jordan Fredericks, Dontae Strickland, and Tyrone Perkins in the class of 2015.
Posted By: Jason Weingold
6 responses to “Fallout from Robert Washington’s Verbal”
With Shafer having completed his second year as head coach, some fans are already calling for his head. So Jason who are these fans calling for his job? Are they the one’s that don’t support the team? Are they the people who like to sit on their fat a$$es and do nothing but complain about everything?
Or is it people like you and Brian Williams in the media that like to lie and make up stories just to stir things up? Who are these people? Are they the same people who jumped on the “lets get rid of the Paul Pasqualoni bandwagon”? If the people who is doing the complaining this time around don’t support the team in any way shape or manner,then they need to keep their frigging mouths shut and keep thier stupid comments to themselves. That includes all the wannabe’s in the media that’s trying to build a name for themselves and advancing to ESPM where the rest of the fools work.
Ron,
Thanks for your take. To clarify, Syracuse is actively searching for a new Athletic Director, and with a new Athletic Director usually comes a new hierarchy of staff. Knowing this, it would not be surprising if the new AD wanted to start fresh and make his own head coaching hire. After a mediocre first season and a significant regression in his second year, it is not crazy to think that Scott Shafer could find himself without a job two years from now if the team does not improve. Personally, I think Coach Shafer deserves some time to prove himself, however, that hasn’t stopped others from voicing their own opinions about the job he has done so far as the Head Coach of the Orange. Gross was constantly asked questions about Shafer’s job security following the team’s 3-9 season, and until the coach can put his product on the field in 2015, those questions will remain unanswered. -JW
But with Washington coming in 2 years….
Well if all goes well, isn’t he suppose to be here in 9 months?…and playing in 17 months?
ORANGEINVA;i think the way it’s printed is that Robert washington comes to syracuse in January of 2016. We’re going to be loaded at the RB position,Devantae McFarland and George Morris II will graduate at the end of 2016 giving Robert Washington a redshirt season in 2016 and starting him with Dontae Strickland as maybe giving Syracuse the best running attack in the land. We also have two other studs Jordan Fredericks,and Tyrone Perkins that will push Washington and Strickland for playing time.
Jason thanks for sending a reply to my post. Your anology about a new AD coming in would want his own man in as head coach. Should I ask,if that’s true would he then hire new coaches for all of the teams no matter how successful they were or are? I think the the person that gets hired set’s and takes a good hard look at what we have here now as far as the footbgall coaching staff goes. Shafer and company is improving the team,the last two years recruiting has been I feel really good,and I feel that we should give him a chance to prove himself. The class of 2015 has some studs coming in and the 2016 class is off to a real good start. I feel that by the time it’s over with and signing day is finally here,the 2016 class could very well be the best that we’ve had in the last 20 years. The class that a majority of syrqacuse Fans have been waiting for.
In the end I just want to congratulate both the MEN’S and WOMEN’S Lacrosse Teams on becoming the 2015 ACC Tournament Champions. Great job everyone. This weekend has been totally awesome to be a member of the Orangenation.
GO CUSE:
Good morning Ron,
Articles discussing why Washington picked SU found EARLY PT as one reason. The man is changing high schools to enroll early, January of 2016. Do you think he’s doing that with the intention of redshirting? I don’t. Bright kid who will have no problem picking up the playbook. 5’11” and probably around 220 this time next year running a sub 4.5 40? Oh yeah, let’s keep him on the scout team.
ORANGEINVA;
No kiddo,I can’t see Shafer redshirting Washington in 2016. I was just trying to answer your question about him coming to Syracuse in 2 years. I was just as confused as you were when I first read the article.
I apologize for changing the subject here but what about the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams winning the ACC championships over the weekend?