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In our post about the Augustus Edwards commitment, someone requested a quick "state of the recruiting class" update, so let's do that.
Syracuse currently has eight players verbally committed in this class, and looks to add a big number nine on the 24th in the form of New York City defensive end/outside linebacker/person who isn't a huge fan of opposing quarterbacks Ebenezer Ogundeko, who will be deciding between Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Florida.
While 'Ebo' isn't orange yet, here are the eight players who look to be all set to head to 'Cuse next year:
Name: Tyler Provo
Position: Tight End/Fullback
Hometown/High School: Delray Beach, FL/American Heritage School
Height/Weight: 6'3"/235
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 3*/3*
Provo, younger brother of former Syracuse tight end standout Nick, looks to be a very solid legacy pick-up from a football rich area. While Nick was more of a pure pass-catching tight end, Tyler may actually be more effective out of the backfield. He's a devastating blocker by all accounts, with a nice mean streak that you look for in a fullback. Syracuse has utilized both positions in recent years, so Tyler should be able to make a big impact wherever he lines up.
Name: Wayne Williams
Position: Defensive Tackle
Hometown/High School: Brooklyn, NY/ASA - The College for Excellence
Height/Weight: 6'6"/335
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 3*/3*
Williams has been on Syracuse's radar for years, and it always seemed like a fairly good bet that he would end up in Orange, despite having a lot of big time schools looking at him around the same time the recruiting circus came into town for his good friend Ishaq Williams. Wayne is an unbelievable athlete, and has been clocked at 4.9 in the 40-yard dash despite being a mammoth of a lineman at 6'6"/335. He should be able to step in from day one and compete as a part of a defensive line that has seen its share of impact JuCo/CC defensive linemen make early impacts.
Name: Austin Wilson
Position: Quarterback
Hometown/High School: Enola, PA/East Pennsboro Area SHS
Height/Weight: 6'3"/205
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 2*/3*
When Wilson committed, I saw it as an interesting shift in the recruiting strategy for Syracuse as far as quarterbacks go. While we have been focusing on dual-threat types who are superlative athletes, Wilson is more of a tradition, drop-back gunslinger. He is a bit more athletic than some give him credit for, clocking in a 4.8 in the 40. Wilson looks great on film in terms of reading defenses and throwing an accurate, catchable ball. A possible showdown for the starting quarterback spot between he and our next recruit will be very interesting...
Name: Zach Allen
Position: Quarterback
Hometown/High School: Temple, TX/Temple HS
Height/Weight: 6'2"/185
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 2*/3*
After receiving a commitment from Wilson on May 20th, Syracuse reeled in another very intriguing quarterback prospect just ten days later in Allen. After looking past the two-star rating that Scout has given him (which usually means he hasn't been evaluated yet), Syracuse recruitniks have been fawning over Allen. He is a dual-threat who can do damage in the air and on the ground with 4.5 speed, he plays at a big time football high school in Texas, and he's been selected as one of the 25 quarterbacks nation wide who is heading to the Elite 11 camp, a first for a Syracuse quarterback recruit. During the Elite 11 qualifying camp in Dallas, he drew the attention of Trent Dilfer, and was the camp favorite of Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo.
Name: Marqez Hodge
Position: Outside Linebacker
Hometown/High School: Miami, FL/Miami Central HS
Height/Weight: 6'1"/210
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 3*/NR
Hodge hails from Miami Central, which is one of Florida's premier football powerhouses. The 2010 Class 6A State Champs turn out a number of high caliber division one recruits every year. While Hodge is a bit undersized, he should be able to make up for it in speed, instincts, and a high motor. If a school like Syracuse has a chance to continue to build a pipeline to Miami Central, and can get a talented player like Hodge in the process, it has to do it.
Name: Devan Carter
Position: Outside Linebacker
Hometown/High School: Rochester, NY/Brighton HS
Height/Weight: 6'2"/217
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 2*/NR
Carter's a very similar prospect to current starting middle linebacker Marquis Spruill. They're both just about the same size, and were hurt in the recruiting process because they player at perennially weak high school programs. Carter is the first division one prospect to come out of Brighton HS, and was a relative unknown before giving his verbal to Syracuse. This is just a case of Doug Marrone and his staff leaving no stone unturned, especially in its backyard.
Name: Isaiah Johnson
Position: Defensive Lineman
Hometown/High School: Elkton, MD/Elkton Christian Academy
Height/Weight: 6'4"/270
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 2*/2*
...speaking of leaving no stone unturned, Isaiah Johnson is another recruit with an interesting back story. Johnson's a converted basketball player who has only played one season of high school football. However, that basketball background translates into tremendous athleticism, which Johnson showed off at a camp, resulting in the Syracuse offer. At 6'4"/270, Johnson should be able to play at any of the positions on the defensive line. He is definitely a project, but Syracuse has picked up a lot of untapped potential in Johnson.
Name: Augustus Edwards
Position: Running Back
Hometown/High School: Staten Island, NY/Tottenville HS
Height/Weight: 6'1"/210
Scout/Rivals Ratings: 3*/3*
Edwards is one of the big pickups in this class so far. The New York City product combines great size for a running back with top end speed, not unlike current Syracuse backs Jerome Smith and George Morris. His high school coach believes he may end up at around 6'3"/240, which would be scary. Edwards has been incredibly productive for Tottenville, racking up over 1,400 yards on the ground and 14 total touchdowns last season. Edwards may become the gift that keeps on giving, as he and the aforementioned Ogundeko are best friends who have often discussed going to school together. Ogundeko recently told the New York Post that Edwards' pledge to Syracuse "puts pressure on (him)."