The Recruiting Renaissance in New York

By Alec Nederveld

Recruiting to Syracuse, New York, has always been challenging. It is not in a talent-rich area, has relatively poor weather, and a general lack of interest unless the team is good, which is rare.

However, less than two weeks into the job, new coach Fran Brown has already changed the caliber of players being recruited by the Orange. He came in with a focus on recruiting and has put a strong cast of guys around him. Former high school teammate, 2022 Recruiter of the Year, and Texas A&M Interim HC Elijah Robinson was signed as defensive coordinator for Syracuse. Colorado’s Nick Williams has been hired to run the Defensive Line.

The caliber of player being recruited by the Orange has already improved. His first visit weekend brought players like 5-star KJ Bolden, 4-Stars KingJoseph Edwards, Marcellus Barnes Jr., Koy Beasley, Emmanuel Ross, and more.

Last weekend, more talented players visited with a larger preference for the portal and previously committed prospects. Kyle McCord (Ohio State), Fadil Diggs (Texas A&M), Yazeed Haynes & Mekhi Mews (Georgia), and Devin Grant (Buffalo) are the most notable names looking to improve their career at Syracuse.

More important than just visits, Browns' recruiting is generating results. After week one, four recruits committed, all being flips from the state of New Jersey. 

Texas A&M commit and WR Jaylan Hornsby started the streak on the 10th, joining Syracuse with his primary recruiter. Later that day, RB Yasin Willis flipped from Pitt, and DE Jahide Lesaine capped off the night after moving on from Kent State. On Tuesday, WR Jackson Meeks from Georgia became the first transfer to commit. Finally, the next day, Emmanuel Ross became the first four-star to commit under Brown, flipping from Stanford.

Haynes was the first commit of the second visit week, pledging to the Orange on the 16th. McCord became the biggest commit yet, landing the next morning. Heard and Edge Caden Brown committed the next night. On the 18th, Fatim Diggs All-Mac S Devin Grant also committed. The next day, big brother Fadil and Edwards committed and reinforced the defensive line. Barnes Jr. has also received a crystal ball to Syracuse. He will commit in January. 

Syracuse’s 2024 class is currently ranked 45th in the composite. This doesn’t sound like much, but it would be the highest-ranking class since 2007 and a large improvement over 2023’s 88th-ranked class. The ranking could end higher when all is said and done. They are also 12th in the portal. 

If you’re a Syracuse fan, the future is starting to look bright again. Coach Brown has changed what's possible on the recruiting end, and with a light schedule in 2024, who knows what