Syracuse Football: Canadian pipeline pays off for Orange in a big way

The Syracuse football squad went back to the Canadian pipeline and it paid off. Here are all the details and who is coming to the Orange.

Syracuse football notched their 12th and 13th commits in the class of 2020 this past weekend. It all got started on Saturday, with Ben Labrosse. Labrosse is a defensive back from Montreal, Quebec and attends Vanier College in Canada.

Labrosse was on the Syracuse Campus this past weekend, attending Dino Babers’ final summer camp. Apparently, he impressed, as Labrosse was offered a scholarship, which he gave a verbal commit to, on the spot.

At 6-foot-2 and 200-pounds, Labrosse is the ideal candidate for safety. Quite frankly, he is already bigger than some of the safeties on the Orange roster at 200 pounds. But you could see him shifted anywhere from linebacker to cornerback once he’s on campus.

Labrosse was not rated by any major recruiting services until his commitment. According to 247sports.com, he is a 3-star prospect and the 716th best player in the class of 2020. He also is rated the second-best player in Canada by Canada Football Chat, right behind Malick Meiga, another Syracuse target.

The Syracuse pipeline in Canada continues to grow. Tyrell Richards, Patrick Davis, Geoff Cantin-Arku, and Matthew Bergeron are all from the Great White North and on the Orange roster.

Credit Mike Lynch and Nick Monroe as the primary recruiters.

CuseNation.com was the first to break the news:

Let’s take a look at the tape:

At the :20 mark of the film, it’s easy to see why the Syracuse coaches were so high on Labrosse.

He is lined up as the boundary corner, likely covering the best receiver on the other team. He bites on the stop and go route initially, but shows off fundamental footwork, technique, and great speed to get back into the play, making an acrobatic interception.

Labrosse’s ball skills make him look like a corner, but his tremendous size makes him a candidate for safety too. However, this play is extremely impressive for a corner to make. Maybe he should be a corner at Syracuse?

At the :56 mark of the tape, you see why the coaches might want him at safety. Labrosse is in zone coverage and gives his man plenty of cushion. He does well to keep the player in front of him and seeing the football. Then, Labrosse shows off great closing speed, breaking on the ball carrier and planting him on the sideline with a huge hit. I’m not sure if he ever did play hockey, but he hits like a hockey player, using leverage to knock the player back.

Labrosse is very quick in his straight-line speed. At the 2:04 mark the opposing team has a bubble screen play called to Labrosse’s side of the field. Like a missile, he recognized the play and plows over the wide receiver trying to throw a block on him. Labrosse makes a really nice play in the open field, making a nice ankle tackle.

Labrosse is a weapon in the open field on defense. He is a better athlete and faster than all the competition. His seven touchdowns and eight interceptions are a staggering number that should be respected at any level.