Greg Robinson: Recruiting Whiz?

by Sean Keeley on Dec 20, 2007 6:48 PM EST

I'm not one for getting too wrapped up in the world of college recruiting. Maybe it's the constant use of the word "stud" by grown men when describing seventeen-year-old boys. Plus, when it comes to Syracuse football, there really hasn't been much to talk about the last years anyway.

But apparently, Greg Robinson and his crew decided it might be time to attract some blue chippers (much better than stud), and it seems to be working.

New York's college team today received commitments from the two highest-ranked players from New York in the 2008 recruiting class.

Four-star wide receiver Marcus Sales from Christian Brothers Academy made his verbal commitment to SU at a press conference at CBA, while four-star running back Averin Collier (photo) from Churchville-Chili told The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle that he, too, would accept SU's scholarship offer.

Recruiting Web site Scout.com ranks Collier the 10th-best running back in the country and Sales, the 27th-best wide receiver. Collier and Sales are Orange head coach Greg Robinson's top two recruits so far and now give the program 19 recruits for the class of 2008, according to Scout.com.

Collier chose Syracuse over eighteen other schools including BC, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. Sales cited the camaraderie between he and his fellow SU recruits as a key reason for committing.

How big is this? Digest this quote from the D.O. Sports blog:

When asked, a Scout.com representative said Syracuse has not snagged the top recruit in New York since the inception of the Scout.com database in 1998. So we’re talking at least 10 years since Syracuse has accomplished a feat quite like this.

This caps a fantastic week for Team Robinson on the recruiting trail. Yesterday, two-star tailback Mike Jones and cornerback Tyrell Harris, committed. Harris turned down an offer from Tennessee. Earlier this week, 300-pound, two-star offensive lineman Nick Speller and linebacker Shane Kimmel also committed.

For once in 2007, kudos to Greg.

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I couldnt agree more on recruiting. Is it important - hell yes. Is the coverage of it creepy - yeah, it's creepy - not Michael Jackson at a boy scout slumber party creepy, but creepy nonetheless.

by Russianator on Dec 20, 2007 9:15 PM EST reply actions

News like this makes me think when I come home to Syracuse this weekend theres a chance it could be 65 and sunny. This is no doubt a major swing for GRob and Co., hopefully a sign of more good things to come. And yes, recruiting is creepy, at times even John Mark Karr at a youth cheerleading clinic creepy, but entertaining nonetheless.

by Anonymous on Dec 20, 2007 9:29 PM EST reply actions

I am shocked... SHOCKED (Chris Russo voice).

I mean this HAS to be good right? Please?

by Nick Loucks on Dec 21, 2007 1:43 AM EST reply actions

I guess this is a start, but this team is a very long ways away from being any good and two little four star recruits isn't going to fix much unless Coach Robinson can get more recruits off the fact two four stars are coming here.

by Jameson Fleming on Dec 21, 2007 2:06 AM EST reply actions

Harris said he hates the cold and hates the snow...

I wonder if he's ever heard of "lake effect" - it ain't about swimming! I hope he lasts when he looks outside and can't see anything but snow.

by Sportzbelle on Dec 21, 2007 9:23 AM EST reply actions

What the hell is he saying to these kids to get them to come to SU? Because he's certainly doesn't know the right things to say behind the podium at a press conference. You know how to relax for public speaking, some people recommend picturing the room naked? Well, instead maybe at a press conference GRob needs to picture the room full of 18 year old football recruits and their parents.

By the way, it has happened again; the season has left me sad and depressed and feeling hopeless for the future of SU football. And then something happens in the off season to make me think, "Maybe this is it! Maybe this is what will turn us around." Between the new OC and big recruits, well, I can't help but hope once again. Damn you, Syracuse athletics. Damn you to H-E-double-hockey-sticks.

by voteprime on Dec 21, 2007 3:23 PM EST reply actions

That's right, Prime. Every time you think you're out....

by MariusJanulisForThree on Dec 21, 2007 3:53 PM EST reply actions

Would it kill them to get some offensive linemen?? We're reasonably stocked at the skill positions. Of course you can never have enough good players, and I'm definitely glad these ones signed up, but without skilled blockers up front we'll never get to see what these guys can do.

by josh from cuse country on Dec 22, 2007 1:53 AM EST reply actions