Name: Ifeatu Melifonwu
Position: Cornerback
Year: (Redshirt) Sophomore
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 207
Hometown: Graton, Mass.
High School: South Grafton, Mass
2018 stats: Playing primarily as a backup, the redshirt freshman appeared in 9 games for the Orange, missing 4 with an injury. He compiled 15 tackles and was second on the team in pass breakups.
2019 projections: In the new depth chart for 2019, Melifonwu has passed Scoop Bradshaw and will the be the starting cornerback for the Orange. This may change at the end of fall camp, but I’m going to be with his size and offseason improvement, Melifonwu has the position locked down.
How’d he get here?: UMass was the only other school seriously looking at the corner, but Michigan came into the party late. He stuck with ‘Cuse and we’re very happy.
What’d recruiting sites say?: All. 3. Stars.
Money quote: It was on the table for Melifonwu to burn his redshirt and play as a true freshman. He talks about how much of a confidence booster that was.
“Right when I got here, I definitely didn’t think I was ready (to play),” he said, “but then after a couple weeks in camp I got moved up to a two. I already had it in my mind that I was redshirting, but I could see that if I didn’t redshirt, I had a chance to really get involved and play a role.”
Twitter feed: @Ifeatu_Mel
Tweets of wonder: Kudos to SU strength and conditioning!
High school freshman year: 165
— Ifeatu Melifonwu (@Ifeatu_Mel) July 12, 2019
College: 207 https://t.co/QIarBR4d82
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: Since he’s from Mass., perhaps Melifonwu will appreciate 2016’s The Finest Hours. Starring Chris Pine and Casey Afleck, it chronicles a Coast Guard rescue attempt in 1952 following a blizzard.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Melifonwu is a smart kid. Smart enough to be on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll his first two years at Syracuse.
Let’s get a look at ya: Here he is talking to the Dot-Com about his brother, Obi, who made it to the NFL.