If the projections from analysts hold true, and I think they will, Syracuse football could be adding to its 2025 class on Friday.
On July 5, three-star defensive lineman Elijah Crawford from the Baltimore area is expected to reveal his college decision. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Crawford is a rising senior and a captain at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Md.
few more days ‼️ https://t.co/qa4TysTBtc
— Elijah Crawford (@ecrawford__) July 1, 2024
Crawford has a final three of the Orange, Rutgers and West Virginia. He officially visited all of his finalists last month, including a trip to Syracuse football from June 7 to June 9.
When I wrote this article on Thursday, the 'Cuse had sizable analyst buzz in Crawford's recruitment between the 247Sports Web site, Rivals.com and the On3 Web site.
Excited to be back in Syracuse tomorrow for my official visit!@RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @MohrRecruiting @McDonoghFB
— Elijah Crawford (@ecrawford__) June 6, 2024
While these sorts of predictions aren't always accurate, based on the analysts who have forecast Crawford to Syracuse football, I'd candidly be a little surprised if he doesn't call the Orange's name on Friday.
Syracuse has buzz for 2025 3-star DL Elijah Crawford from Md., who officially visited 'Cuse last month, has SU in his final 3, and will announce on July 5. There are at least 3 predictions in SU's direction for him between 247Sports & Rivals. On3's RPM has 'Cuse with a big lead.
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) July 3, 2024
Syracuse football appears to be in great shape for 2025 three-star DL Elijah Crawford.
The new 'Cuse staff, lead by head coach Fran Brown, offered a scholarship to Crawford on December 12 of last year, not long after Brown was officially introduced by SU Athletics as the new boss of Syracuse football.
Blessed to say I have received an offer from Syracuse University!@McDonoghFB @CoachDRedd pic.twitter.com/rxDqpMmob8
— Elijah Crawford (@ecrawford__) December 12, 2023
Crawford's full offer sheet also includes schools such as Connecticut, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Charlotte, Akron, Liberty, Delaware, Coastal Carolina, Howard and Dartmouth.
Had a fantastic weekend at Syracuse! The fam and I will definitely be back soon! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/daXhm5Mafw
— Elijah Crawford (@ecrawford__) March 24, 2024
Per his X page, Crawford also took an unofficial visit to the Hill in late March of this year. In late May, he caught the eye of Rivals.com national analyst Adam Friedman for his performance at an Under Armour camp in Baltimore.
Okay, here's the latest on Thursday. Via the 247Sports Web site, the 'Cuse had predictions in its favor for Crawford from national analyst Brian Dohn and analyst Mike McAllister, who is the top expert out there tracking Syracuse football recruiting.
Our @BrianDohn247 breaks down why he put in a Crystal Ball for Syracuse football to land one of its priority targets. VIP details ⤵️ https://t.co/jTJL2dtuiH
— Mike McAllister (@McAllisterMike1) July 2, 2024
There was at least one projection for the Orange on Rivals.com, with the 'Cuse also holding a commanding lead for Crawford per the On3 recruiting prediction machine.
Currently, the Syracuse football 2025 class sits at 27 verbal pledges after long snapper Henry Searcy out of Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Fla., committed to the program earlier this week.
DART: Henry Searcy, a 2025 long snapper out of Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Fla., announced his verbal commitment to Syracuse football on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Searcy was offered by 'Cuse in early June. He's now the 27th verbal pledge for SU in this class. https://t.co/zLBRyqmOgD
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) July 2, 2024
At the time of this writing, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite placed the Orange's 2025 cycle at No. 28 nationally, while Rivals.com had this 'Cuse class at No. 23 around the country.