While the recruitment of Robert Washington is not over yet, his verbal commitment allows the Orange to continue to look for recruits at other positions. Apparently, a big focus for Syracuse is the offensive line.
The Class of 2015 features five offensive linemen and the Orange are set to lose three starters on the o-line at the end of the 2015 season. Rob Trudo, Ivan Foy and Nick Robinson are all entering their final season with the Orange.
According to Syracuse.com, the Orange have made offers to two more offensive linemen for 2016. Charles Baldwin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Malcolm Pridgeon (Garden City, N.Y.) have both received offers from Shafer’s team and have the chance to block for one of the highest regarded Running Backs in the class of 2016.
They are both rated four stars and hold numerous offers.  Some of these offers are from top-tier programs as Baldwin has an offer from Alabama and Ole Miss and Pridgeon holds an offer from the defending National Champions, Ohio State.
The chance to block for Robert Washington can and definitely should be used as a selling point to O-line recruits like Pridgeon and Baldwin. The Orange have not had a truly elite running game since the days of Brown and Davis but they have not had a running back like either of them either.
With that said the Orange have still been able to have offensive linemen make a name for themselves while at Syracuse. Sean Hickey is expected to be a mid-round pick in the NFL Draft this week and Justin Pugh has already made a name for himself in the NFL as a starter for the New York Giants.
By joining Washington at SU, any offensive linemen could have the chance to be a part of something special. While the Orange have not been a top-tier team in recent years, there is no question that a couple of additions on top of the recruitment of Washington can make SU a legitimate team in the ACC.
It only makes sense that Shafer and his staff will target big men open up holes for Washington. Orange fans should expect the offers for Baldwin and Pridgeon to be the first of many to offensive linemen.
Posted: Logan Grossman
2 responses to “Syracuse Looking to Continue to Build O-Line in 2016”
Since I’ve been a member of this web site ,it’s members have always said that all we needed is for one top recruit to commit to Syracuse and more would follow. Well it happened with Robert Washington last week end and from what I gather Syracuse is the talk of the town and maybe the nation.
Syracuse is on the verge/cusp of signing a class equal to the 1957-58 class led by Ernie Davis that won the 1959 national championship. We‚Äôve never had a 4* RB commit to Syracuse. The recruits that Washington is trying to recruit covers areas from North Carolina to Texas. He hasn’t made any contact with any of the top recruits from New Jersey yet that Syracuse is after.
These are the 4* athletes that has a possibility of coming to Syracuse OL Charles Baldwin (NY),OL Malcolm Pridgeon (NY),QB Anthony Brown(NJ),WR Hasise Dubois (NJ),OL Will Fries (NJ),QB Dwayne Haskins (Md.),DT Fred Hasnard (NJ),CB Jared Mayden CB (TEX) I also feel after looking at the list of players that some of those 3* players are underrated and should /could be elevated to 4*status before national signing day.
The question now is, if Robert Washington does keep true to his word and comes to Syracuse how many 4* athletes will join him? Eight to maybe ten recruits is not out of the question. Now also keep in mind that Washington and Coach Shafer are after some top names for the 2017 and 2018 classes.
Yes I know my optimism is running wild again and I know that many of you out there think that I’m crazy. But ask yourself this question,when was the last time have you ever thought Syracuse had a chance to bring in 8-10 4* athletes in one class?
Another observation that I’d like to make,if indeed what I’ve described above happens,then maybe by the end of the year I won’t see anymore articles written or comments made from people telling us that Coach Shafer and staff should be fired.
That alone would be truly amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
Now before any of you jump on me about never having a 4* RB commit to the Cuse. I know Syracuse has had the best that’s ever played the game in Jim Brown followed by Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. What I don’t know is when the star rating system was developed and given to the players.
If all that I think will happen happens,I feel the attendance problems that we’ve faced over the last 15-20 years will disappear,don’t you?