Malik Matthew adds linebacker versatility to Syracuse football in 2021 cycle

Syracuse football has received a commitment from 2021 three-star linebacker Malik Matthew.

Syracuse football is bolstering its defense in the Orange’s 2021 recruiting class with the addition of Malik Matthew, who also gives the ‘Cuse another premier player from the Empire State.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Matthew, a rising senior at Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx, N.Y., is rated as a three-star guy by both 247Sports and Rivals.com.

Interestingly enough, these two recruiting services separately list him as an inside linebacker or an outside linebacker, and that kind of agility will suit Syracuse well as the Orange settles in under new defensive coordinator Tony White and his 3-3-5 system.

In the state of New York, Matthew is slotted at No. 4 by 247Sports, No. 5 at Rivals.com, and No. 6 by the 247Sports Composite. At the outside-linebacker spot, meanwhile, the 247Sports Composite places him at No. 87 overall, and 247Sports positions Matthew at No. 89.

According to a review of 247Sports and Rivals.com, he held nine scholarship offers, including from the ‘Cuse, along with other squads such as Boston College, Buffalo, Rutgers, Temple, and Rhode Island.

Syracuse football commit Malik Matthew is one of the top 2021 players in the Empire State.

Matthew’s pledge comes a few weeks after another elite 2021 prospect in New York state committed to competing on the Hill. On April 30, three-star defensive tackle Jaelin Moss selected Syracuse.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Moss, out of Fairport High School in Fairport, N.Y., is ranked No. 3 in the Empire State by the 247Sports Composite, 247Sports, and Rivals.com.

With Matthew on board, the Orange boasts nine players to date in its 2021 class, with six of those commitments on defense. Matthew, who possesses terrific athleticism, quickness, size, and versatility, is the initial linebacker in the ‘Cuse 2021 class.

Syracuse, though, continues to target other linebackers in that class, namely three-star Jason Henderson from Delaware Valley High School in Milford, Pa.

Per the 247Sports Web site, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Henderson has nearly 20 scholarship offers at this juncture. Among these offers, the Orange is one of the better-known programs, and the ‘Cuse has an excellent shot at landing Henderson.

Should he choose Syracuse, that development will only strengthen the Orange’s 2021 defensive core, which is an encouraging sign for White & Co.