Syracuse Football: Get To Know Your Orange Man - #31 Clay Cleveland

We're counting down every SU football player from Chandler Jones (#99) to Phil Thomas (#1). Keep track of every player profile right here.

Next up on your Orange-Man Orientation, #31, Clay Cleveland.

Position: Fullback

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 236

Hometown: Boxford, MA

High School: Phillips Academy

2010 Stats: Though a member of the team, Clay did not see any time on the field as a freshman.

2011 Projections: Sounds like Cleveland's best chance at PT is on the special teams unit. The Orange are surprisingly deep at fullback, where Adam Harris, Thomas Trendowski and Tombe Kose could all see time.

How'd He Get Here?: Like quite a few folks on the roster, Clay dreamed of wearing a knit sweater and singing A Capella at an Ivy League school. After a year of "finishing" at Phillips Academy, he had the attention of Dartmouth, and Princeton. Unfortunately, his test scores didn't hit the right note and he turned his attention to FBS football. 

Doug Marrone put on the hard sell as Cleveland waited for confirmation from the Ivies. Miami (OH) and UConn also put out feelers but ultimately it was SU that sealed the deal.

"I told (Syracuse) they were my first choice if I didn't get into an Ivy," Cleveland recalled. "I'm not a full scholarship guy, so I had to wait to get in (to Syracuse), but the football program supported it and I got accepted."

Scouts/Rivals Said: Nothing I could find.

Money Quote: "I got chills...Just the history — to see those photos, the trophies when you walk into the (athletic) complex. It's a cool thing to be a part of." - Clay after seeing the history of Syracuse football on campus.

Links of Wonder: There is a Clay Cleveland on Facebook but this is most certainly not our Clay Cleveland.

Doug Marrone Thinks: Dunno. Clay's a walk-on who hasn't seen much action, not much for him to discuss just yet.

Interesting Nugget O'Interest: His full name is Clayton Cleveland and his Dad's name is Skip. In retrospect, he probably was meant to go to an Ivy League school. Then again, he does have Big East in the blood. His cousin, Cousin, Rob Petitti, plays for the Carolina Panthers after a college career at Pitt.

Let Us Get A Good Look Atchya: If you find some video of Clay, let me know. I got squat.