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Name: Julian Whigham
Position: Cornerback
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 187
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Fla.
High School: Dwyer
2012 Stats: Julian played in 11 games as a freshman last year, while notching a total of three tackles (one solo).
2013 Projections: Whigham is set to back up Keon Lyn, and should get some additional time as part of the cornerback rotation. He's also getting burn at the safety spots, so it's assumed we'll see quite a bit of Julian on the defensive side of the ball this season.
How'd He Get Here?: Julian was the Sun-Sentinel Big School Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. Syracuse managed to fight off offers from Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Indiana and Boston College (ha!). Odd the Florida schools avoided the local product.
What'd Scout/Rivals Say?: Rivals gave him three stars, while Scout said two.
Money Quote: Scott Shafer loves this kid:
"I think Julian gives us the luxury of movement with a long athlete that can cover some ground. I'm pleased with him, and I think he's ready."
Links of Wonder: Syracuse.com gives us the rundown on Whigham's past, which included a rare esophageal disorder when he was younger. The condition prevented him from eating and almost ended his football career before it ever really got off the ground. Inspiring story that everyone should definitely take a glance at.
Tweets of Wonder: Julian's a Kanye fan. Smart man.
Love yeezus
— Julian Whigham (@JulianWhigham) August 25, 2013
What Does Shafer Think?: When asked about the starting cornerback battle this offseason, Shafer seriously could not have been more complimentary of Whigham:
"Julian Whigham made a hell of an interception down the sideline, and I was really pleased to see that. So he's putting some heat on Ri'Shard (Anderson) and Keon Lyn as well as Brandon Reddish."
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Brandon Reddish breaks down why Julian Whigham could be a star for Syracuse, specifically focusing on his counterpart's wingspan and his uncanny ability to get into passing lanes.
Let Us Get a Good Look Atchya: Here's some high school practice tape from Whigham. You'll see he's very good at reading the ball in the air, though hopefully he's not tackling up high anymore. Still, considering this was two years ago, you get a good idea of the athlete he is.