Syracuse football bolsters secondary depth with pledge by All-State DB Ibn McDaniels

On Saturday night, Syracuse football picked up the 20th commitment in its 2024 high school senior class, as fast-rising and talented New Jersey prospect Ibn McDaniels committed to the Orange while on his official visit to the 'Cuse.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound McDaniels, a defensive back and wide receiver out of Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth, N.J., revealed his pledge to the Orange via his X page.

This weekend, McDaniels was one of several Syracuse football 2024 recruiting targets on the Hill taking official visits.

Others making trips to the 'Cuse have included four-star cornerback Kevyn Humes of the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore and three-star defensive tackle/offensive guard Deshon Dodson of Neumann-Goretti High School in Philadelphia.

McDaniels is an emerging prospect in the senior cycle. Not too long ago, he was named to the New Jersey Football Coaches Association (“NJFCA”) North 2 Super 100 All-State team for the 2023 season.

Syracuse football has received a commitment from 2024 DB/WR Ibn McDaniels.

As a senior at Elizabeth in the recent 2023 campaign, according to his bio on nj.com, McDaniels hauled in 44 passes for 744 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. On defense, he generated 34 total tackles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and one pick-six.

McDaniels is the latest high school senior from New Jersey to commit to the new Orange coaching staff, which has deep recruiting ties to that state and throughout the Northeast region.

Former Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown, who in early December was officially introduced as the team’s new head coach, replacing Dino Babers, is from Camden, N.J. He grew up there alongside long-time friend Elijah Robinson, who is the new ‘Cuse defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Other Syracuse football coaches, including quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile, hail from New Jersey as well. The 'Cuse coaching staff has heavily focused on prospects from the Garden State within its 2024 cycle, both among high school seniors and college transfers.

Last month, at the onset of the early signing period, the Orange landed pledges from 18 high school seniors. A week ago, 2024 four-star cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr. of The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., committed to the 'Cuse.

With pledges from Barnes and now McDaniels, Syracuse football has commitments from 20 high school seniors. The Orange's 2024 class also includes pledges from 11 college transfers.

On Saturday evening, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite ranked the 'Cuse 2024 cycle at No. 36 overall across the country. That rating includes Syracuse football at No. 37 with its high school senior class, as well as a No. 23 national ranking out of the transfer portal.

A big congratulations and welcome from 'Cuse Nation to Ibn McDaniels!