Syracuse Football: JUCO Linebacker Luke Arciniega Commits

Yesterday, Nolan wrote a piece on Syracuse.com about how the Syracuse Orange were finding success dipping into the JUCO talent pool. And that was before SU got yet another commitment, their sixth in the last two weeks. This one comes from Sierra Community College (CA) linebacker Luke Arciniega.

Arciniega is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound athlete whom Orange coaches have talked about playing in the middle of the SU defense next season after senior Siriki Diabate graduates. "I just kind of felt at home,"

Arciniega said of his visit to the SU campus two weekends ago. "The visit had a lot to do with (my commitment)."

Arciniega was also getting interest from BYU, Memphis and Miami, to name a few.

He finished last season with 87 total tackles, 52 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks and 20 TFLs last season in 11 games and was named a first-team selection on the in the Northern California Football Association's Valley Conference all-star team.

How does a guy this talented end up where he was? He accepted a scholarship to Nevada in 2009 but a concussion caused the university to pull it. He was cleared medically and resumed his career at SCC. He had at least two seasons of eligibility but is petitioning the NCAA for a third due to his injury.

Credit Tyrone Wheatley and Greg Adkins for the recruiting along with an over-the-top visit by Doug Marrone last week.