Cleveland Comes To Syracuse
by Sean Keeley on Aug 9, 2010 3:08 PM EDT
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I was perusing the latest incarnation of the Syracuse Football roster today with the intention of seeing who else has been scrubbed clean from its existence. Instead, I noticed a whole bunch of names I had never seen before.
Jonathan Mason, Jideofor Anene, Clayton Cleveland, Zachary McCarrell, Hassan Aliyu. I figured most if not all of them are walk-ons, some of the many that will grace the depleted roster. I suppose we'll get to know many of them over the next few weeks but there's one in particular that we can get to know right now.
Matt Williams of the Salem News recently penned an article on Clayton Cleveland, a six-foot, 218 pound freshman fullback who came to SU after his dreams of going to the Ivy League fell short.
The 19-year-old Cleveland also drew interest from Division 1 squads Miami of Ohio and Connecticut, but Orange coach Doug Marrone's Pro-Set offense made the most sense for him.
"The Big East is the Big East," Cleveland said of Syracuse's conference. "When I went up to Syracuse, it hit me that this is where I want to be. They didn't sign any fullbacks and they had an injury (at that position) in the spring."
Landing with the Orange — arguably college football's most storied program in the East — is a bit like the gridiron gods saying, "We're sorry we can't approve you for this Mercedes, Mr. Cleveland ... but we do have a Ferrari we'd like you to take a look at."
Clay had told SU they were his first choice if he didn't qualify for an Ivy League school. When that happened, he applied to come to Syracuse, got accepted and joined up with the team. Cleveland picked a good time to come to SU. Even as a walk-on, he's got a shot to compete for playing time at one of the most depleted positions on the team.
Here's what Clay said back when he was making his school selections:
First and foremost, I’m looking for the best education possible. On the football side of things I’m looking for a consistently strong and successful program.
Well, one out of two ain't bad...right?
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DC3
HCDM just said DC3 will be reinstated by SU and will be playing in the Akron game.
by The Polish Punch on Aug 9, 2010 3:52 PM EDT reply actions
"They didn't sign any fullbacks and they had an injury (at that position) in the spring."?
“When I went up to Syracuse, it hit me that this is where I want to be. They didn’t sign any fullbacks and they had an injury (at that position) in the spring.”
Tomba Kose is my sleeper player of the season- did something happen that i’m not aware of? He’s listed on the roster at 5-9 and 253 lbs. Sounds good to be- like a Lorenzo Neal type
Technically Kose transferred in so we didnt “sign” anyone I suppose
He's there
and he’s large
Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician - The Syracuse blog that cares.
Buy my book "How To Grow An Orange"
by Sean Keeley on Aug 10, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Hope Clayton likes to knock heads, and loves pass protection, we need to keep the QB upright
And if he can rumble off some yards and blow people up in the run game, so much the better….
abayarde- "I SAY this get ready cause the BUFFALO BILLS ARE COMING TO TOWN and I dont mean like Santa clause. WE will not Surrender this is were you all FALL The WHAGON BLASTER IS TAKING OFF AND YOU PUNKS are in our way, This wagon has no BREAKS so get ready for the ride of the life time"
Witht the incredible dearth of fullbacks on the roster
we can’t find a scholarship lying around to give this kid? Doesn’t Marrone have a a handful stuffed in his glovebox for chance meetings with recruits?
We need more toilet paper, I'm taking my talents to South Beach.
by bigbluethruandthru on Aug 10, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions
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