WR recruit Landon Morris would thrive with the Orange
Syracuse football recruit, Landon Morris, has the Orange listed in his top three. Here’s why he’d thrive under Dino Babers.
Landon Morris, a 3-star rated recruit by 247sports, recently released his top three schools via his Twitter page, which includes the Orange, among Iowa State and Boston College. However, the wideout and Syracuse football seem like the perfect pair on paper.
Morris, who stands at 6-feet-5-inches and weighs 210 pounds, is actually being recruited as a WR/TE combo, given his tremendous size at that position. A class of 2021 prospect, he plays at Nazareth Academy in La Grange, Illinois.
At first glance, that height and weight combo stands out. Having a tall receiver can only help any quarterback out, and gives cornerbacks a tough challenge on fade routes and deep passes.
Not only that, but receivers comparable to Morris’ body type have not only thrived under head coach Dino Baber’s system, but have put up some of the best numbers in the entire country.
For example, according to sports-reference.com, 6-foot-2 Amba Etta-Tawo finished his lone season with the Orange with 94 receptions, 1,482 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2016. The star receiver finished ranked in the top-15 in the NCAA in all of those categories.
He wasn’t a one-hit wonder either. In 2017, Steve Ishmael, also listed as 6-foot-2, compiled 105 total catches, for over 1,300 yards, and seven scores. These also listed toward the top of the leaderboards, with his catch total second among FBS players.
In 2018 and 2019, the Orange also relied heavily on tall wideouts, headlined by Jamal Custis and Trishton Jackson, with Custis listed at the same 6-foot-5 as Landon Morris.
However, that’s not the only reason that Morris would thrive with the Orange compared to the Boston College Eagles or Iowa State Cyclones.
The Eagles have long relied on a rush-heavy offense, not having over 3,000 passing yards in a single season since 2012, according to ESPN.com. In comparison, the Orange have passed for over 3,000 yards in three of the last four seasons, as Baber’s use of a high-tempo offense gives receivers a chance to shine.
Meanwhile, while Iowa State has had some success with a passing offense, it’s tough to see where Morris would fit in, as the Cyclones currently have a whopping FIFTEEN wide receivers listed to begin to 2020 season. Even though Morris is a 2021 recruit, that’s some hefty competition for anyone to go against.
Morris hasn’t yet released when he will ultimately decide his college choice, but has hinted at a soon commitment date, telling Syracuse.com:
"“Right now depending on what happens with the virus, I might commit sooner rather than later,” Morris said via Twitter direct message. “And it will probably be who really wants me and who I feel most comfortable with.”"
However, if a decision does come soon, it would really bolster the Syracuse football class of 2021. Currently, the Orange have four commits, with three of them listed as three stars according to 247sports.com. If Morris were to join that list, it would only strengthen an already sharp class and could help the ‘Cuse land some more sought-after players in the future.