In a positive sign for its recruiting, Syracuse football secured a commitment from Justin Lamson, one of the top un-committed 2021 QBs in the country.
It’s no secret that Syracuse football has somewhat struggled as it pertains to recruiting quarterbacks in recent cycles, but getting a pledge from 2021 three-star QB Justin Lamson could do wonders for the Orange coaching staff moving forward.
In mid-June, the ‘Cuse offered the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Lamson, a rising senior at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif. A couple of weeks later, and Syracuse had its quarterback for the 2021 recruiting cycle. He’s a top-20 dual-threat quarterback in his class.
Per CuseNation.com’s Mike McAllister, getting Lamson at this stage, as it relates to quarterbacks, is “the earliest in a recruiting cycle since Tommy DeVito pledged Orange in April of 2016.”
That is extremely encouraging for Syracuse as it looks to recruit other stellar quarterbacks down the road, along with skill-position players such as running backs and wide receivers.
So why did Lamson, who received a somewhat late offer from the Orange amid the novel coronavirus pandemic that has made recruiting much more challenging for coaches and prospects, opt for the ‘Cuse?
According to Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, when Lamson took a visit to the Hill last month, he “was blown away.”
"Lamson added, “I loved it there and everything just felt right for me. It was a tough decision and I had some other great options. I really liked Louisville a lot and had the late offer from Boise State gave me something to think about but there were too many pluses for Syracuse for me to go anywhere else.”"
By the way, Lamson chose the Orange over fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Louisville, Boise State, San Jose State and Wyoming.
"More from Lamson about the ‘Cuse. “The biggest factors for me in picking a school were going to be my relationship with the coaches, my comfort level at the school and the chance to compete for early playing time. Syracuse is only taking one quarterback in this year’s class and I like how the depth chart sets up. I want to try and come in and be ready to compete right away when I get there, that’s definitely where my mindset is at right now.”"
Steve Wiltfong, director of recruiting for 247Sports, notes in a story that Lamson’s playing style is similar to that of another West Coast prospect who ended up shining in a Syracuse uniform, Eric Dungey.
If Lamson could carve out a career in Central New York that compares to Dungey’s, we’re all in store for something special over the next few seasons.