Syracuse Football Recruiting: Class of '17 Commit McDuffie Named NYS Defensive Player of the Year

USA Today announced its All-State teams for all fifty states today, as well as naming an offensive and defensive player of the year for each state as well. Here in New York, Class of 2017 linebacker Isaiah McDuffie was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

McDuffie plays for Bennett High School in Buffalo. He tallied 91 tackles, five sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles and snagged two interceptions. Bennett said it was "a great honor" to be named the Defensive POY but that his "overall goal was to be better" in a interview with CuseNation.

McDuffie committed to the Orange in July after attending a camp at Syracuse. When the new staff was hired McDuffie was quoted as saying that Coach Babers was a "great hire" and that Babers was "perfect for the job" by Paul Schwedelson from the Daily Orange. McDuffie recently heard from the new staff and remains fully committed to Syracuse, despite receiving interest from a number of school and new offers from Wake Forest and Maryland.

Other notable names of the All New York State first team include former Syracuse target and Penn State commit  QB Jake Zembiec (who won Offensive POY), 2017 5 star OT Isaiah Wilson, 2017 OT/DT Ethan Wiederkehr. The second team included 2017 QB target Jack Coan, 2017 DT target Romello Martin, and former LB target and Notre Dame commit Jamir Jones.