Syracuse football recruiting: Uncommitted targets to watch before early signing period

The Syracuse Orange football team has 16 players currently committed for the class of 2020 — a group that will start to officially take form next Wednesday, when the early signing period arrives.

Even if all of those players sign, though, that won’t be the full class. There are more spots available and more players Syracuse has targeted to fill them, too. Below we outline some of the uncommitted players out there who could potentially add their names to the class of 2020, either next week or by the time National Signing Day rolls around in the new year. Or guys who SU’s been pretty involved with, but seem likely to end up elsewhere.

Akheem Mesidor, DE/Ottawa, Ont. (3 stars)

Top-100 prospect in Florida who visited Syracuse back on November 29 — and was there for the win over Wake Forest. He’s currently attending Clearwater Academy International in Florida, but he’s originally a Canadian prospect, which could potentially help Syracuse out given the program’s focus there and the number of fellow Canadians on the roster. He’s visited Pitt since heading to SU, which may not be the best sign. Mesidor is also considered a West Virginia lean at the moment. Would be a great addition for the Orange if we can pull it off.

Olasunkonmi Agunloye, DE/Lindenhurst, N.Y. (3 stars)

For starters, he’s pretty tall, already coming in at 6-foot-6. And that’s also part of why the New York product has been able to attract Power Five offers from the likes of UCLA, Pitt, Virginia and others. His recruiter at Syracuse was Brian Ward, so unless SU found a way to forge the same connection with another staffer, they may be further down the list. His last documented visit seems to be UCLA back in October.

Ja’Vontae Williams, WR/Belle Glade, Fla. (3 stars)

Williams is on campus this weekend, along with at least seven other commits or targets, and the group setting could pay off. Being a Florida kid, he’s (of course) being courted by Nick Monroe. At 6 feet tall and nearly 200 pounds, he’s a potentially versatile wideout in this offense in a similar mold to that of Trishton Jackson. SU seems like the favorite at the moment.

David Ndukwe, DT/Lithonia, Ga. (3 stars)

The Orange could use some help in the middle, and the current WKU commit could certainly help. He’ll be on campus with the other prospects this weekend, and Steve Stanard (his primary recruiter) is hoping to be able to flip him from the Hilltoppers. Syracuse is his only Power Five offer right now, which should help the sell a bit.

Kentron Poitier, WR/Miami Palmetto, Fla. (3 stars)

Will start off by saying that I don’t think Syracuse winds up with Poitier, given the fact that he holds offers from Florida and Florida State, among others, and has been to both campuses in the last month or so. But he’s a top-500 talent that Monroe and Syracuse’s staff have been pursuing for some time, so worth at least keeping an eye out to see where he lands.

Antonio Barber, WR/Rock Hill, S.C. (3 stars)

Another player who I’m not holding my breath about. Barber has numerous suitors and while Syracuse was once listed among his top five, things may have changed a bit since then. Though 247 currently has him as an NC State lean, his recent social media activity seems to indicate some new interest in USF (who he already had an offer from) now that Jeff Scott is their new head coach.

Micah Harper, CB/Chandler, Ariz. (3 stars)

Syracuse was among Harper’s top six at one point, but it seems like the programs further out west have taken poll position since then. He last had a visit at San Diego State, and BYU appears the favorite with a visit coming shortly. SU’s best chance is maybe a late push that gets him to wait to make a decision until National Signing Day? Doesn’t appear very likely.

Elsewhere...

Additionally, there are players that are currently on board with Boston College, but could be flipped by National Signing Day (since next week is a pretty rushed change of heart). Of course, that’s probably provided we add a former Eagles staffer like Steve Addazio or Antoine Smith as well — AND the players felt a strong enough attachment to the previous staff that they’d be willing to change things up this late in the game. Still, worth a shot.

Ozzy Trapilo, OT/Boston, Mass. (4 stars)

Kevin Pyne, OT/Millis, Mass. (4 stars)

Korey Smith, LB/Highstown, N.J. (3 stars)

Again, not saying any of these are likely flips. Just names to keep an eye on if they wind up reopening their recruitment and/or not signing with Boston College on Wednesday.

Anyone else we’re missing? Leave a comment below.