Recruiting Things Are Happening

by Sean Keeley on Feb 2, 2010 12:50 PM EST

Tomorrow's Signing Day for college football recruits but some new players are already pledging their verbal support for the Orange.

First up, offensive tackle Sean Hickey of Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pa. The 6-6, 280 lb. Hickey chose the Orange over Boston College, Illinois and Cincinnati...not too shabby. ESPN has some slightly-nice things to say about him...

Hickey is a big strong aggressive player who is presently playing offensive tackle. We feel he lacks the great athletic ability necessary to play tackle at the major level of competition. A move to guard at the next level is recommended for him to succeed.

Here's some video of Hickey if you're that hard-up to watch a guy block:

Next up, defensive end Micah Robinson of John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio. The 6-4, 240 lb. Robinson chose SU over Pittsburgh, Kansas, and Cincinnati...so again...good sign. The big reason he came? New SU D-line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh.

"I like the defensive line coach [Jimmy Brumbaugh] there," said Robinson, who accounted for 47 tackles, including 12 sacks, for the Rebels. "He's hands-on and will help me improve on my technique."

"I'm going have to gain more weight and bulk up a little more," said Robinson. "[Syracuse] has four or five defensive linemen coming back next year, so I'll probably be redshirted next year, but I'm all right with that."

And then there's Charlie Copa, a 6-6, 245 lb. tight end out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. Copa's bringing that million dollar grin to Syracuse instead of Air Force, Cincinnati (3-for-3, bitches) and others.

How's this for a feel-good story. Copa was diagnosed with leukemia at age five. He fully recovered and now spends time at children's hospitals helping out kids in his former shoes.

"I was like, 'Who have I benefited from the most in my life?' And I was like 'Duh, the children's hospital,' " said Copa, who became involved in Cub Scouts as a first-grader. "Without them, I wouldn't be here."

Check out Copa (who looks gigantic) in these game highlights, which might just be better production quality than most college game broadcasts (Texas...):

Finally Donnie Webb mentions that one-time verbal commit Gareef Glashen has gone turncoat and committed to Rutgers. For shame, Gareef. For shame.

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#Shamarko

It’s been a while

by goober112 on Feb 2, 2010 12:56 PM EST reply actions

I’ll probably be redshirted next year, but I’m all right with that."

Humble. I like that

by ryanwk628 on Feb 2, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions

I think I’m actually most excited, in the short term anyway, about the JUCO’s that are already on campus. But it’s nice to see us getting some linemen on both sides of the ball who had looks from other competitive DI programs. Do not like losing guys to Rutgers, but we must remember this is about baby steps. Besides, we killed them this year, we can do it again.

by NOLACuse on Feb 2, 2010 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Leukemia

Im sure anyone who is involved with the fight against that disease is aware of Mr Davis’ story and therefore the SU legacy. Kid looks like a class act and real talent.

by ryanwk628 on Feb 2, 2010 1:06 PM EST reply actions

It all starts and ends with a good O-line

No flash, but there’s a reason the top of the NFL draft is always littered with them.

Imagine if Paulus didn’t have to scramble even half the time this last year.

I really like Nassib’s poise and arm. If we can solidify the line a bit the next couple years, that’s a huge step in the rightdirection.

Hell, I remember Barry Sanders only able to get a yard or two toward the end because the line was so bad.

Get a good line, and even a serviceable back can get 4 per

The 'Cuse is in tha house, oh my God oh my God.

by StrawHatGuy on Feb 2, 2010 1:11 PM EST reply actions

From the Austin-American Statesman article referenced in the Syracuse.com blog post re: Copa… I do love this part. Very much.

After spending last season playing on Westlake’s special teams, the 6-foot-6-inch, 245-pound Copa has developed into a reliable target for Chaparrals quarterback Tanner Price. Copa had a touchdown catch in Westlake’s 31-27 bidistrict playoff victory over San Antonio Madison, and his blocking has helped fuel the Chaparrals’ rushing attack.

“We don’t use a tight end unless we’ve got a real good one,” Westlake coach Darren Allman said. “For him to be able to be effective in that position, he has to be able to (block and catch). He’s really come on as a great blocker, and each time we’ve gone to him through the air, he’s produced.”

by wildcatlh on Feb 2, 2010 1:49 PM EST reply actions