Syracuse football 2021 class is a ‘really good batch,’ Dino Babers says

Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers is optimistic about his 2021 cycle.

Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers, in speaking about his 2021 recruiting class, says that he would love to sign top-25 cycles, and that’s a goal, but he adds, “don’t underestimate the little guy.”

Wednesday represented early national signing day for the Orange, and Babers landed official national letters of intent from 19 high-school players.

The ‘Cuse previously had 21 verbal commitments in this class. An article from 247Sports reporter Stephen Bailey says that defensive lineman Jaelin Moss plans to sign in February of 2021, while defensive end Hayden Nelson has de-committed from the Orange.

As of Wednesday late afternoon, Rivals.com rated the ‘Cuse 2021 class at No. 49 nationally, whereas 247Sports says the team’s cycle is No. 53 across the country and No. 12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Of those guys who have inked their NLIs, 11 are offensive players and eight suit up on defense, per a review of recruiting Web sites. When Moss signs, that will push the total to nine defensive players.

Babers, in a Zoom call with media members, noted that the 2021 class features two of the top-five prospects in New York state, and it’s the second-highest-ranked cycle so far in Babers’ tenure on the Hill, he says.

Those kinds of attributes to the squad’s 2021 cycle, amid recruiting limitations brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic and a 1-10 record from the Orange in the recently concluded term, make Babers say, “It’s really, really exciting.”

Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers likes his 2021 class a lot.

Babers, in his virtual press conference, points to the talented offensive linemen in this cycle. He praised running back Josh Hough, who put up ridiculous, video-game-style numbers in his most recent stanza. Hough is a “bigger back,” Babers says, and that’s what he’s focused on at the position.

With this class, the ‘Cuse coaching staff did a commendable job of securing commitments from players in a variety of geographic regions nationwide, which is pretty stellar given the pandemic. “I’m proud about the footprint,” Babers says.

Three-star Justin Lamson, a top-20 dual-threat quarterback in the 2021 class per 247Sports, is getting tons of compliments from his future head coach.

Babers admires that Lamson started out his high-school football career on defense. Lamson is a leader, a strong runner, has an edge, competes with courage, and just extends plays, Babers says.

All in all, the Syracuse football head coach sees potential and promise in his 2021 cycle. “I think we’ve got a really good batch,” Babers says.