:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68523680/usa_today_11369308.0.jpg)
It’s early signing season, which means a new batch of Syracuse Orange athletes are about to head north. Syracuse will add recruits to the program between Wednesday through Friday, but expect most players to sign on Wednesday. As each signing is confirmed, we’ll post profiles here on TNIAAM. Up next is Kalan Ellis, who is part of the Orange’s current two-man pipeline to paradise.
Twitter feed: @ellis_95
Hometown: Waimanalo, Hawaii
Previous School: St. Louis School
Stats: 6’5”, 350 lbs.
Commitment date: July 23, 2020
Position: Guard
Ratings: Three stars, with 247Sports.com rating him the seventh best player in Hawaii.
Other Offers: Offers of interest hailed mostly from the west coast, with Hawaii, SDSU and UCLA among others. He was also offered by Virginia, so the Orange weren’t the only ones trying to bring him east.
Dino’s projected nickname: Not sure on a nickname, but he’s going to be trading plate lunches and loco mocos for garbage plates out here. I’m sure one of his teammates can get him out to Nick Tahou’s or Tom Wahls.
Player Breakdown: From film, Ellis played mostly tackle in high school. He looks solid as a pass blocker, though against notably smaller competition, working well in combination with his other linemen. His footwork could use a little, but that can come with coaching. Coming in at 6-foot-5 and 350 pounds, he already has the size to play at the ACC level and would be the largest lineman on the Syracuse squad, day one. Provided he can keep his agility up to work against ACC caliber players, there’s a good amount of promise here.
Highlights: