Syracuse recruiting: 3-star JUCO DE Brandon Berry commits to Orange

The Syracuse Orange added another recruit for the class of 2017 last night.

Brandon Berry, a JUCO defensive end from Highland Community College in Kansas, made it official with the Orange last night, according to Scout’s Mike McAllister. It was long-rumored Berry was ready to commit earlier, but the SU coaching staff requested he wait to make the announcement. Just over a week before National Signing Day sounds like some pretty good timing.

Originally from Georgia (Griffin High School), Berry’s a three-star prospect who’s 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. This fall at Highland, Berry managed 48 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks (according to the school’s official history).

Berry is the third JUCO commit for Syracuse for 2017, joining tight end Ravian Pierce and linebacker Ryan Guthrie, who are both already on campus. He’s also the third defensive end of this class, along with Zach Morton and Jonathan Kingsley.

The defensive additions this year are all of the utmost importance after the worst season in Orange history in terms of points per game.

There was one sour note from the evening too, unfortunately. Three-star offensive line target Alex Palczewski also announced his decision around the same time as Berry, and chose Illinois over SU. He was far from the only remaining target out there, but still, unfortunate to miss out on a quality addition this late.

Plenty more to come with Signing Day just eight days away.