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Syracuse University's coaches need to wrangle back control of this recruiting class, as once again, arch-recruiting rival University of Syracuse nabbed another top SU target:
I HAVE OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE!!!! #CuseNation 🍊
— Aaron Roberts (@D1_Roberts) October 6, 2013
Damn that U of S!
Anyway, Roberts, a 6'6", 295 lb offensive lineman from Chicago's De La Salle Institute, was up for this weekend's near-sellout against Clemson, and was impressed enough to pull the trigger and make his verbal commitment to the Orange.
Campus was rocking last night.
— Aaron Roberts (@D1_Roberts) October 6, 2013
Running backs coach DeAndre Smith is credited as the lead recruiter for Roberts, and seems to be making strong inroads in Chicago. He is also credited as the recruiter for Chicagoan Lamar Dawson, who committed to Syracuse back in late July. Roberts' verbal is especially important as Syracuse looks to add some size to a class dominated by skill players and linebackers to this point. Roberts is the first 2014 lineman commit for Syracuse. He is currently rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals, 247sports, and ESPN. Scout has him as a two-star player. Rivals ranks him as the #31 player in the state of Illinois, while 247 considers him the #67 offensive guard prospect. Roberts also holds offers from Ball State, Illinois, and New Mexico. His future teammates were very happy to welcome him to the Syracuse family after he made his announcement on Twitter:
Squaddd✊🍊RT"@D1_Roberts: I HAVE OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE!!!! #CuseNation 🍊"
— Erv Philips (@Ambition1_) October 6, 2013
@D1_Roberts TURN UP!!!!! LETS GOO!!!! Welcome to the Fam man!! #CuseFam #OrangeCrush14
— Aj Long#⃣3⃣ (@Aj_Long3) October 6, 2013
@D1_Roberts finally committed bro welcome to the fam! We roommates by the way
— ☞LAMBO DAW☞ (@LamarDawson) October 6, 2013
Eric White was also a bit excited about the news:
Chhhhhiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo #cuse14
— Eric White (@EricWhiteCuse) October 6, 2013
Soon after making his commitment, Roberts was already off on the recruiting trail for the Syracuse staff:
@LamarDawson Coach say he need us to get the DE from Crete.. Gotta get on him
— Aaron Roberts (@D1_Roberts) October 6, 2013
I need my man @BeauBench to be next in line for the 'Cuse!!
— Aaron Roberts (@D1_Roberts) October 7, 2013
Roberts' commitment furthers the efforts of the Syracuse staff to become a real player in the Midwest. Here is a handy map I've created of how SU's class looks so far. SU's staff is still targeting players from Florida and Georgia, areas where Doug Marrone's staff was very successful, but the strength of this class remains in the Northeast, with some influence from the big midwestern cities.
Aaron Roberts 2012 Highlight Tape (via GameTimePros)