Get To Know Your Orange Man — #96 Jay Bromley

We're counting down every Syracuse Orange football player, one a day, from Chandler Jones (#99) to Phil Thomas (#1). Keep track of every player profile here.

Next up on your Orange-Man Orientation: #96 — Jay Bromley

Number: #96

Position: Defensive Tackle

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 269 pounds

Hometown: Jamaica, NY

High School: Flushing HS

2010 Stats: In 12 games played, Bromely recorded eight tackles, five solo and two QB hurries. He had two tackles in Syracuse's Pinstripe Bowl victory.

2011 Projections: Bromley is primed for the big show this season. He's currently No. 1 on the depth chart at the Nose Tackle spot. He spent a good chunk of the spring working with the first team, though he's going to be sharing playing time with Deon Goggins and Cory Boatman. Bromley showed his value in the spring game, where he shut down the opposing running backs all day. He might not be able to do that every week, but he's going to be an integral part of the Orange defense this year.

How'd He Get Here: Bromley was a bit of a late bloomer, going largely un-recruited until a monster performance in the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, in which he dominated John Kinder en route to a Game MVP. He was close to spending a year at prep school in New Hampshire before Syracuse swooped in with the offer, his only one.

What did Scout/Rivals Say?: Bromley wasn't just lightly recruited, the scouting services barely even knew he existed. Scout didn't even give him one star and Rivals didn't have much to think of him either. Not too bad for a guy who might be about to become a three-year starter.

Money Quote: "A five-star is no different than a person who is good on a team that doesn’t get any recognition." Jay might end up becoming the SU poster child for how little you can trust recruiting rankings.

Money Quote 2: "To be honest with you, I want to be the best I can be, period. Where that ranks me when all is said and done, hopefully it’s at the top. I figure if I keep working, good things will come." Agreed.

Links of Wonder: This story about Bromley's sudden emergence after months flying under the radar in high school sets the tone for his story.

What Does Marrone Think?: A lot, apparently.

"The kid runs, his effort . . . everything is great...He’s a natural leverage player. He’s really strong and can run. He’s just a young kid, and we’re developing him. And I think he’s going to be a heck of a player...You see it in him, the more experience he gets, the better he’s going to be."

Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Part of the reason Bromley went unnoticed in high school...his high school football varsity team had only been in existence for three years when he was a senior. He was basically playing for the East Dillion Lions of Long Island. Bromley led Flushing to an 8-2 record, including a 5-0 home mark, in 2008.

Let Us Get A Good Look At You: Here's Bromley in high school, doing all the things that we're looking forward to seeing over the next three years.