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Next up on your Orange-Man Orientation...
Name: Siriki Diabate
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 210
Hometown: Bronx, NY
High School: Lehman
2011 Stats: Siriki played in twelve games for the Orange, starting two of them. He collected seventeen tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His best game was the West Virginia win, where he collected seven tackles.
2012 Projections: As of this very moment, Siriki is your starting middle linebacker. However, in this moment, Marquis Spruill is injured. You can bet that if Spruill can go, he'll get the start. However, Siriki is sure to see action in just about every game this season. He'll either be a very capable backup or a spot starter based on injuries.
How'd He Get Here?: You can thank the John Anselmo Connection for this one. Anselmo was the longtime head coach at Nassau CC, where Siriki went to school before SU. He chose the Orange over offers from Eastern Kentucky, Rhode Island, Maine, Central Connecticut and Akron, obviously.
Scouts/Rivals Said:. Scout went two-star while Rivals gave him a three-star look.
Money Quote: "Syracuse is right at home...I want to stay near home."
Links of Wonder: Siriki's has developed a reputation for making some really big hits.
Doug Marrone Thinks: "He’s a very, very bright kid," Marrone said. "He’s able to get everybody lined up, and that’s what you need in the middle. I think it will create some competition back there when Lewellyn comes back. We want to make sure we have players in positions where they can perform well. As of right now from what we’ve seen as a staff, Siriki looks much, much more natural at that position."
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: His parents are Sanogo Korotoume and Souleymane Diabate, so awesome names run in the family.
Let Us Get A Good Look Atchya: Here's Siriki and Chris McKenzie puttin' in the work.