Who is the Syracuse Orange’s “must-get” target for the 2020 football recruiting class? According to ESPN, it’s New Jersey linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave.
Syracuse has gone after some big targets in the 2020 class, especially at the quarterback position. Unfortunately, there has been little to show for the efforts of the coaching staff, as the class currently stands at three players. Running backs Sean Tucker, Marlowe Wax and defensive end Kevin Lemieux are the lone pledges thus far.
As mentioned in the ESPN piece, 4-star RB Jalen Berger from New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep — Tommy DeVito’s alma mater — is probably the largest target that Syracuse has a (small) chance to land. Still, running back is not exactly a position of need thanks to the strong efforts in the last couple classes. Also, Berger is considered an Ohio State lean by 247Sports.
Linebacker has been a need for the last few recruiting classes, and Syracuse faces another round of graduations at the position, led by starter Andy Armstrong. However, incoming freshman Mikel Jones and Lee Kpogba will compensate for the loss of Amrstrong and fellow senior Lakiem Williams. Recent additions like Juan Wallace, Tyrell Richards and Tre Allison also make that position pretty solid right now.
Instead, quarterback should be considered a more dire position of need for the Orange. Only four quarterbacks are on the roster entering the summer, and this is the final season of eligibility for redshirt senior Clayton Welch. As mentioned two weeks ago, Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey reported that Syracuse is pursuing Canadian quarterback Christian Veilleux as a 2020 prospect. Veilleux is the last hope for a blue-chip quarterback in the 2020 class, barring a late flip a la Chance Amie or David Summers, as SU’s seen in recent classes.
For the most part, Syracuse can afford to miss on these higher-rated recruits thanks to the depth at almost every position.
That being said, one of those position groups that could use some help in the 2020 cycle is defensive line. Alton Robinson, McKinley Williams and Kendall Coleman are among the seven players set to end their careers this fall. Syracuse has already added 3-star defensive end Kevin Lemieux to the class, but should aim to add at least two more at the position. Amin Vanover, a 4-star prospect from New Jersey is a high priority target. Vanover visited the campus in March, and put Syracuse in his top 10 in May. Syracuse will have to fight off the likes of Alabama, Clemson and Georgia to land Vanover, but getting his commitment would immediately enhance the 2020 class.
Top 10 pic.twitter.com/0JJFrAcdGG
— Amin vanover (@vanover_amin) May 2, 2019
While Tirek Austin-Cave would be a huge addition, simply being in play for Veilleux and Vanover points to the rapid improvement of Syracuse’s program. Those improvements bring higher expectations for fans, like landing all three of Veilleux, Vanover and Austin-Cave rather than having to settle for one or none.