Syracuse Football: Get To Know Your Orange Man - #18 Nick Raven

We've done a lot of these profiles over the last few months.  If you've missed anyone, or want to relive the memories, click the handy link here.

In this super-late edition of "Get To Know Your Orange Man", we take a look at one of our many #18s, tight end Nick Raven.

Position:  Tight End

Year:  Sophomore (though he may have retained eligibility from last year due to a season-ending injury).

Height:  6'4"

Weight:  230

Hometown:  Moscow, PA

High School:  North Pocono 

Prep School:  Milford Academy

2010 Stats:  Nick played in one game on special teams before losing the rest of his season to a knee injury against Washington.

2011 Projections:  Despite his move from quarterback to tight end, I expect Nick will continue to do the normal walk-on thing, although his contributions to special teams last season might mean he sees the field a little bit.

How'd He Get Here?:  After not receiving much attention from D-1 schools during his high school career, Nick attended Milford Academy for a year of Prep School.  After a solid season as a starter at Milford, Nick visited SU and eventually signed as a preferred walk-on after meeting Doug Marrone and coming away impressed with the school.  Maryland also showed interest in Nick.

Scout/Rivals Said:  Unlike most future walk-ons, Nick Raven received a 2-star rating from Scout.  Rivals was not as kind, and while he has a profile there, he was awarded no stars.

Money Quote:  Nick after deciding to attend Syracuse:

"I'm really excited," Raven said. "The coach has the program moving in the right direction and it's close to home. I feel really good. I feel I can help the team and I feel that I can do some good there."

 

Links of Wonder:  Here's a story on Nick committing to SU from Scranton newspaper The Times-Tribune.

What Does Marrone Think?:  Usually, it's hard to find something from Marrone on a walk-on.  Luckily, he told Nick what he thought when Nick visited the school back in 09.  

"He just told me that they are looking for a drop back quarterback who can run the offense and know how defenses work"

Hopefully Nick can become a solid tight end, while retaining the whole "knowing how defenses work" thing.

Interesting Nugget O'Interest:  Nick Raven is good for APR scores.  He's a dual major in general studies management in Whitman and information management and technology in the iSchool.  He is also a member of the Spring 2010, Fall 2011, and Spring 2011 Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

Let Us Get a Good Look Atchya:  Nick Raven once had a highlight film on YouTube.  Those days have since passed.  We're going to have to settle on pretending this mediocre-at-best angsty acoustic song is being performed by our beloved walk-on (thank me later for the video hits, grudge productions).

Nick Raven - Blind Man - 2011 (via grudgeproductions)