Syracuse Football: Stellar N.J. teammates would look awesome in Orange

As the early national signing period approaches for high-school players in the 2023 class, Syracuse football fans, naturally, are paying close attention to the senior recruiting cycle.

That being said, I want to discuss the Orange’s efforts with the 2024 class in this particular piece. Not too long ago, 2024 three-star cornerback Isaiah Buxton disclosed on Twitter what appears to be his top 10, at least for the time being.

He included the ‘Cuse in this list, which is encouraging. The 6-foot, 150-pound Buxton, offered a scholarship by Syracuse football this past February, is a junior at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista, Calif.

https://twitter.com/isaiah_buxton/status/1602123671984046080

When I penned this piece, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rated Buxton at No. 431 nationally, No. 39 at cornerback and No. 36 in the talent-rich state of California.

But now let’s head east and discuss two other Syracuse football 2024 targets.

In the spring, Orange coaches offered scholarships to 2024 three-star edge Fatim Diggs and 2024 four-star athlete Willy Love, who are both juniors at Eastside High School in Camden, N.J.

Earlier this week, Love sent out a tweet that read, “Teammates on the next level?” The tweet made a reference to Syracuse football, and Love included Diggs’ Twitter page in his tweet. Diggs responded with an emoji of two eyes.

Both of these talented 2024 prospects hold offers from numerous other schools, but I did enjoy seeing this on social media. I’d love to see Diggs and Love team up on the Hill down the line.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Diggs holds other offers from teams including Boston College, Ole Miss, Penn State, Virginia, West Virginia and Temple.

At last glance, On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Orange in third for Diggs at the moment, behind Temple and Penn State. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite rates him at No. 576 overall, No. 37 at the edge and No. 14 in New Jersey.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Love is described as a defensive back/linebacker on recruiting Web sites. He is cousins with defensive back Duce Chestnut, who has suited up for Syracuse football the past two seasons but this week said he would enter the NCAA’s transfer portal.

Love’s offer sheet includes defending national champion Georgia, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Boston College, Cincinnati, UConn, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, West Virginia, Texas A&M and Temple.

At the time of this writing, On3’s recruiting prediction machine put the ‘Cuse in second place for Love, trailing only Rutgers. Multiple recruiting services rank Love as a four-star, top-200 national prospect in the 2024 cycle.

He is one of the top overall players in New Jersey within the junior class, and Love is also in the top 20 at either linebacker or safety, according to several recruiting Web sites.

Last August, Syracuse football also made the top 12 for 2024 four-star defensive back Kenny Woseley II. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Woseley, offered by the Orange in April, is a junior at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia.

His top 12, when disclosed, consisted of Syracuse football, Pittsburgh, Georgia, Texas A&M, Penn State, Maryland, Wisconsin, Oregon, Michigan, Rutgers, Michigan State and Cincinnati.

In mid-November, the ‘Cuse landed its first verbal commitment in the 2024 cycle, from wide receiver Syair Torrence. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Torrence is a junior at the Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse.