4-star edge Frederick Ards III, who has visited Syracuse football, drops top 5

Four-star edge Frederick Ards III, who has visited Syracuse football, is down to five suitors.

The top-100 national prospect in the 2027 class has a top five of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and Texas A&M, according to Rivals. The 6-foot-5, 231-pound Ards is a standout at Jones High School in Orlando, Fla.

Throughout his recruitment, Ards has received more than 20 offers from a range of high-major programs. The Orange staff, led by head coach Fran Brown and general manager Tommy Caporale, offered a scholarship to Ards in August of 2024.

According to posts on X, Ards visited Syracuse football in both April and November of last year. It's a bummer that the 'Cuse didn't make his top five, but the Orange still has the makings of a special 2027 cycle.

At the time of this writing, within the 2027 class, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite places Ards at No. 96 overall, No. 14 at edge and No. 11 in Florida. He had a ridiculous junior season at Jones, with 102 total tackles, 18 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and 30 quarterback hurries.

Syracuse football has a strong 2027 class to date.

While the Orange didn't make Ards' list cut this week, the 'Cuse does have 10 verbal pledges among high school juniors. Over the past week, the 'Cuse has secured verbal commitments from 2027 three-star running back/athlete Sa’Nir Brooks of the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore and 2027 offensive lineman Edwin Guzman of Erie High School in Erie, Pa.

Currently, the Syracuse football 2027 cycle is No. 5 around the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Orange's 2027 class features one four-star prospect in athlete Tristin Hughes from Ohio.

Syracuse football coaches are also pursuing various three-star, four-star and five-star players in the high school junior cycle. The Orange has held two junior days at the JMA Wireless Dome already this month, with another one scheduled for this Saturday when Syracuse basketball plays Notre Dame.

As I first reported this week, among those who are expected to attend this Saturday's junior day are 2027 four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor of Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pa., Brooks and 2027 three-star tight end Michael Nnabuife, who also attends Saint Frances and has the 'Cuse in his top six.