Syracuse Football: Tale of the Tape, star DB Robert Hanna

Syracuse football added a lot of talent over the last 2 weeks. Here is the full film breakdown of their latest acquisition from the sunshine state.

Syracuse football had their hot streak of commits last week. We already touched on Stefan Thompson, Garth Barclay, Justin Barron, and Leon Lowery. Now meet the newest Cuse commit.

Robert Hanna is a 6-foot 170-pound safety from Miami, Florida. He attends Miami Palmetto High School, where incoming Orange DB, Cornelius Nunn played. In addition to Hanna and Nunn, the Orange are also hoping to land Kentron Poitier, a talented wideout at Palmetto.

Both Hanna and Poitier were on the Orange campus this past weekend when Hanna pulled the trigger. The Syracuse staff has perhaps their best recruiter in Nick Monroe, primarily after the two Palmetto standouts.

A 3-star recruit according to 247sports.com, Hanna boasts an impressive offer list. Boston College, Louisville, Miami, UNC, and UCF all extended offers.

He announced his commitment to Syracuse via twitter:

Hanna is the first defensive back to commit to Syracuse in the class.

Let’s take a look at his film:

The 1:20 mark of the tape is where I want to start: Hanna is covering a slot receiver. The opposing team has a bubble screen called to a receiver on the opposite side of the formation, who is in motion. The slot guy is supposed to block Hanna. However, the Florida native has other ideas, blowing by the would-be-blocker getting into the backfield bringing down the receiver. Hanna shows off really good speed and instincts in order to bring him down.

Despite being a safety, it seems like Hanna spends a good amount of time playing a linebacker role in high school. At the 2:13 mark, he is down around the line of scrimmage. The opposing team is running a double handoff reverse play. Hanna is the one who will have to keep contain on his side and not overpursue the ball carrier. Hanna shows his instincts, staying at home and fighting off a blocker to make the tackle. This play also shows his quickness, as he brings down the ball carrier for a loss.

At the 3:49 mark, Hanna shows off his run stuffing skills. He seems to be much more comfortable in run defense than pass defense for now, but that is not a bad thing. The opposing team has a power run play up the middle called. Hanna reads the play, reacting quick and finding the hole. But he beats the running back to the spot, laying a nice hit on him and making the tackle.

Syracuse is so talented in the defensive backfield. They continue to reload in the secondary, and boast last years ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Four of Cuse’s five starters last season combined for 13 interceptions, and all five starters return in their 4-2-5 scheme.

Hanna is another weapon back there. He will bring great instincts to the position, and the ability to play around the line of scrimmage.