Finally Syracuse football is the headline in February. That’s because it’s National Signing Day! It’s time for SU to put there money where their mouth is!
It’s time to get Christmas in February for Syracuse football fans. The Orange are stocked and loaded and it’s time to see what magic Dino Babers was able to work during all these months of preparation.
We’ll be updating this thread throughout the day and keep things fresh!
Now some of the buzz was somewhat taken away with the early signing day period back in December, to recap here are the players who have already dotted their i’s and crossed their t’s:
- QB Chance Amie
- WR Ed Hendrix
- OL Qadir White
- DB Trill Williams
- DB Andre Cisco
- LB Juan Wallace
- JUCO Lakiem Williams
- DB Cam Jonas
This group was already on track to be the best class in the last 16 years for the Orange and that wasn’t including anything that happens today for Syracuse.
12:01 pm ET
A real punch to the gut for the Syracuse football team was losing the crowned gem of their class in Tyrone Sampson. We had a conversation with him earlier this offseason where he reiterated his commitment 1000%, which hurts a little extra.
Many people that I’ve talked too suggest that there’s a slim chance that he comes back to the Orange, regardless he won’t be signing today per Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey:
Former 4-star Syracuse C commit Tyrone Sampson reportedly not signing today https://t.co/Bb9VhBQxUz
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) February 7, 2018
11:41 am ET
The Syracuse Orange got a lot of help offensively earlier today, but finally got some juice on defense. Caleb Okechukwu, no relation to Paschal Chukwu, but hopefully they both bring some raw talent and ability to the Orange Crush defense.
https://twitter.com/CuseFootball/status/961278792466563073
Also some more information on SU’s new lanky defender from Syracuse football insider Mike McAllister…
BREAKING: 3-star DL Caleb Okechukwu (@IamCaleb_18) has picked #Syracuse over Arkansas and Texas https://t.co/CorHdpNs0z pic.twitter.com/PxikcfGKJg
— Mike McAllister (@McAllisterMike1) February 7, 2018
10:52 am ET
Seems like the Orange will be holding a spot just in case Fitzroy Gardner is eligible, not a bad idea considering the Orange’s struggles on defense.
Syracuse OLB target Fitzroy Gardner will go the JUCO route for now, but looks like Orange will hold a spot. https://t.co/LpqXObWveP
— John Cassillo (@JohnCassillo) February 7, 2018
10:01 am ET
Some updates from Syracuse football beat reporter Stephen Bailey on today’s activities. Jawhar Jordan has some academic issues so he’s going to need a hail mary to end up with the Orange today.
For those just tuning in:
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) February 7, 2018
Syracuse has signed 2 RBs in Akeem Dixon & Jarveon Howard.
2 targets -- DE Caleb Okechukwu & RB Mychale Salahuddin -- are expected to announce @ 11:30 a.m.
RB commit Jawhar Jordan (academics) & DB target Duwayne Johnson are not expected to sign today.
10:00 am ET
The program officially made the announcement just a few minutes ago. Some great quotes from Justin Lustig who is the special teams coordinator and running back coach for the Orange saying this via the Cuse Football Twitter:
"“(Jarveon Howard) brings a great blend of power, quickness and speed. He has all the attributes of a great running back.”"
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— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) February 7, 2018
One of the top prospects out of the Magnolia State, @jarveon_howard is set to blossom in the 🍊 backfield!#BEL18VE | #OITNF 🍊💨
Bio ⤵️https://t.co/auI36AsSDk pic.twitter.com/bVny0Otyr2
9:34 am ET
Another running back is added to the mix for the Orange. That is of course Jarveon Howard a three-star prospect out of Mississippi. The Orange did a really good job in the recruiting process adding talent to the backfield.
Clearly that has been an issue over the years for Syracuse and Babers is doing everything in his power to correct those issues. Howard should be able to add some explosiveness to the backfield.
3-star RB @jarveon_howard has signed with #Syracuse https://t.co/T6SlSCthMb pic.twitter.com/XFg4cviK44
— Mike McAllister (@McAllisterMike1) February 7, 2018
7:30 am ET
The Orange added some beef to their backfield officially with the addition of Akeem ‘The Dream’ Dixon. While the program has had some of the best running backs in collegiate history, that was eons ago.
It also feels like eons since the last time the Orange had a 1,000 yard rusher (it’s actually ‘only’ been six years, but it feels much longer). For a product that labels itself ‘Orange is the New Fast’, it sure needs to grease the wheels in the backfield to have a fully balanced attack.
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— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) February 7, 2018
This Sunshine State ☀️ star is ready to shine in Central New York. Welcome to the #CuseFamily, @AkeemTheDream6!#OITNF 🍊💨 | #BEL18VE
Bio ⤵️https://t.co/HVIBv5M5kW pic.twitter.com/05nXIdDWWs
If you want a sneak peek of what the Orange are in for you can check out his tale of the tape below:
This running back from Florida is ready to go 'Beastmode' in the Dome!#BEL18VE #OITNF🍊💨 pic.twitter.com/Si7HDcHrfl
— CUSE FB Recruiting (@Commit2Cuse) February 7, 2018