/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49305109/usa-today-8243930.0.jpg)
The Syracuse Orange haven't gotten a 2017 commitment in awhile, but that doesn't mean recruiting is taking a break. Far from it as Dino Babers's staff hits the trail for its first full class at SU.
Below, we give a quick recap of everything that's gone on in April thus far. Though we're absent of decisions, Babers & Co. are getting themselves into conversations all over the place with the potential to land plenty of talent come summer, as these players head into their senior years.
OLB Nardarius Fagan Lists Syracuse in Top Five
Miami Southridge high school outside linebacker Nardarius Fagan has narrowed his list to five, and expects to make a decision this summer, he told Scout. The three-star product is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, with a great quickness on the edge that plays right into what Syracuse wants to do defensively. The Orange were among the five schools he listed as his top considerations yesterday, along with Alabama, LSU, Nebraska and Temple as well. Nick Monroe leads the charge here, as he typically does with Florida prospects.
OG Mike Miranda Narrows List to Eight
Miranda may have more schools to choose from, but his timing appears to be a bit sooner than Fagan's. The three-star Ohio (Stow) guard has things down to eight, but seems to be interested in hearing from other schools in the coming weeks before he makes a final call. He lists Syracuse among the eight, along with Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Penn State, Pitt, Northwestern, and Virginia. He told Scout that he'll take second visits to Penn State, Virginia, Illinois and Missouri before deciding, so he can focus on his senior season.
S Aaron Duncan Gets Syracuse Offer
Syracuse continues its work in Florida -- and Miami, in particular. Aaron Duncan, a three-star safety from Miami Norland High, recently got an offer from SU, along with NC State. He's the eight-best safety in Florida for 2017, and is likely to receive more offers as the cycle continues. He reports Kentucky, Notre Dame and Miami among other intersted parties. We'll see if offers develop there. Obviously the Hurricanes, especially, are a bit closer to home for Duncan (another player that really fits Babers's mold well) than the Orange.
SU Offers Another Florida Safety
Still in need of plenty of safety help, Syracuse is going after any and all targets available at the position. Another one of those is an additional Florida target, Tallahassee three-star Lyn Strange. Big (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and fast, he could be an early contributor for the Orange -- should he end up here. He just got an SU offer, to go with a host of others already in his pocket. Miami, North Carolina, Indiana, Louisville, Iowa State, Oregon State and many more have already offered him as well.
WR Tim Barrow Waiting for Orange Letter
Unrated Staten Island (N.Y.) wide receiver Tim Barrow's currently trending toward nearby-ish Rutgers, but that's not necessarily the end of his recruitment process. Boston College has also offered the 6-foot-1, 170 pound wideout (as has Monmouth), and he mentioned to Scout he's been speaking with Syracuse but has yet to receive an offer. One from SU could potentially add some intrigue to his process, it appears.
Syracuse Battles Rutgers, BC for Top New York OLB
Elsewhere in New York City, the Orange are going after the state's top outside linebacker too. Olakunkle Fatukasi, from Grand Street High School (in Brooklyn), goes into his senior season at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds with the potential to get even bigger. He's currently a heavy Rutgers lean, but has picked up offers from Syracuse and Boston College. While he's visited the Eagles (and Scarlet Knights), he has yet to get up to Syracuse. Fatukasi told Scout that he spoke to Mike Hart on the phone and came away impressed, however.
Spring Game Impresses Prospects
You may have forgotten about recruiting amidst a very busy Syracuse sports weekend in early April. But there were a lot of potential recruits on campus to watch Babers's offense in action for the first time, and several shared feedback on what they saw. Maryland (Oxon Hill) running back Tayon Fleet-Davis liked what he saw, but the Orange are up against a lot of top competition for his services. Most of the Big Ten's offered, and Big 12 schools are involved too.
Three-star Connecticut wideout Brandon Sebastian is a Boston College commit, but has been to Syracuse's campus twice and could be interested in flipping to the Orange eventually. He's a name to keep an eye on.
Another three-star, D.C. center Johnny Jordan, also moved Syracuse up his board based on what he saw during a fun spring game. Jordan's one of the top centers in the country, with a bunch of offers from power conference schools already. Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia are on that list already, along with SU and several G5 schools.
***
It's a long process, so don't take any activity (or lack thereof) as a sign of much. The summer will yield more offers and commitments, and then the fall is when Babers & co. will truly define what this class will look like.