Syracuse Football: Rivals analyst bit harsh in grading Orange’s 2021 class
By Neil Adler
A Rivals analyst isn’t super high on the Syracuse football 2021 class.
Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers recently said that his 19 new class of 2021 players who inked their official national letters of intent during the early signing period represent “a really good batch.”
He added that even though the Orange’s 2021 cycle isn’t rated in the top 25 nationally, nor is it chock full of four- and five-star prospects, “don’t underestimate the little guy.”
Personally, I’m fairly bullish on this ‘Cuse class as well, and I believe that the team’s 1-10 mark this past season can get vastly improved upon in 2021, factoring in this recruiting cycle, as well as a roster with hopefully fewer injuries and opt-outs in the next campaign.
At least five or six victories in 2021 must get attained, or Syracuse University leaders may have to consider a head-coaching change, among other staff personnel moves.
Still, regardless of my optimism, there’s at least one analyst out there who isn’t feeling all that rosy about the Orange’s class of 2021.
Adam Friedman, an East Coast recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, recently published a piece in which he graded all of the Atlantic Coast Conference squads as it relates to their 2021 cycles during the early national signing period.
In his article, he notes that Syracuse football checks in at No. 48 across the country, and No. 12 in the ACC, with regards to its 2021 class, based on Rivals.com rankings. Friedman gives this ‘Cuse cycle a C grade, which I think is a tad harsh.
"Here’s what he had to say about the Orange in his write-up. “It seems odd to say this is Syracuse’s highest-rated recruiting class since 2008 considering the season the Orange just had, but it is true. Four-star signee Darian Chestnut is a big-time defensive back with great ball skills and he should create plenty of turnovers at the college level. This recruiting class is skewed more toward the offensive side of the ball, with five signees on the offensive line, three receivers, two tight ends and a quarterback and running back. While none of them were rated very highly, there is plenty of potential for a number of them to become major playmakers during their careers. On the defensive side of the ball, keep an eye on defensive ends Terry Lockett and Jatius Geer, along with Chestnut.”"
I do agree with Friedman that, although the ‘Cuse 2021 class is primarily made up of three-star prospects, the potential is there for a bunch of them to shine on the Hill and within the ACC.
Plus, let’s not forget that talented quarterback Garrett Shrader, a four-star player in high school and sophomore from Mississippi State, has elected to transfer to Syracuse football, providing additional and much-needed depth at this position.
I’m not a recruiting analyst, but considering the nice mix of offensive and defensive players within the Orange’s 2021 cycle, I would assign a grade of perhaps a B- or even a B.