Syracuse Football Recruiting: JUCO OT Darius Tisdale commits to Orange

The Syracuse football staff has collected an all important commit from JUCO OT Darius Tisdale. Here are all the details on the latest Orange pickup.

The Syracuse football coaching staff picked up another commitment earlier this month is JUCO offensive tackle, Darius Tisdale. Tisdale, a native of New Jersey, plays his football at Lackawanna Community College in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area.

According to 247sports.com, Tisdale is a 3-star prospect and the ninth best offensive lineman in the JUCO ranks. The 6-foot 5 Tisdale has offers from the likes of Arkansas, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia.

This is the third offensive line commit for Syracuse in their class of 2019, joining Matthew Bergeron and Anthony Red. Syracuse is now up to 16 commits in the class and continue their recruiting efforts as the early signing period on December 19th is right around the corner.

Tisdale and his family visited Syracuse on December 7th, the same day that the Orange basketball team took down rival, Georgetown. He announced his commitment to Syracuse via twitter:

Syracuse loses both starting tackles this season, as grad-transfer Koda Martin departs, along with 3-year starter, Cody Conway. Tisdale has a real chance to come in and compete given his college-ready frame at 6-foot 5 and 295-pounds.

Let’s take a look at the tape:

The first play that I want to look at occurs at the :11 second mark of the film. This play is something that Syracuse asks their offensive tackles to do given the Orange’s offensive scheme.  Tisdale helps chip on the defensive tackle inside along with the left guard. After he does this, there is a screen play called, where he gets out in the open field and absolutely tosses a linebacker like he is a rag doll. In the Syracuse offense, they ask their tackles to get out to the second level to

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block on different screen plays, the bubble screen, slip screen, and tunnel screen. Tisdale appears to be athletic enough to get out in space and attack his blocks, opening up running lanes. Koda Martin was so versatile this season, pulling on run plays and getting to the second level that his loss will be sorely missed. Tisdale is certainly a candidate to replace him.

At the :35 second mark of the tape, Tisdale displays good run-blocking ability. There is a stretch play called to his side of the formation, and although Tisdale does not come down and set the edge, he absolutely man-handles his blocker. Tisdale preoccupies the defensive end, eventually pancaking him on the ground, allowing his running back to still get that edge and turn the ball up field. The Syracuse running attack has primarily been focused on running up the middle. However, with speedster Abdul Adams in the fold next season, Syracuse could look to get to the outside with their running backs.

Another play I want to look at is when Tisdale shows what he can do, as a pulling tackle. At the 1:55 mark of the tape, Tisdale gets out in front of his running back and seals off the linebacker and occupies the defensive end. This allows the running back to get to the second level. This is what I was alluding to Koda Martin being so successful at this season. Tisdale is bringing some athleticism to Mike Cavanaugh’s offensive line group.

The final play I want to look at occurs at the 2:11 mark of the film, when Tisdale is pass-blocking. This is something that is essential for every Syracuse offensive lineman, especially with pocket passer Tommy DeVito likely to take over for Dungey next year. He does a great job with his hands, engaging the defensive end and pushing him to the side. Tisdale then uses his quick feet to stay in front of the defender, and gives his quarterback time in the pocket.

Overall, Tisdale is a great addition to the Syracuse class. He looks like an above average athlete at the offensive tackle position, that has the size to come in and compete for a starting role in camp.