Here’s a bizarre one: On Wednesday, 2016 Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.) HS safety Devon Clarke tweeted from his account that he had committed to Syracuse as recapped by Oregon Live. But that tweet was ultimately deleted and sources later told Rivals that the Syracuse football staff hadn’t been in touch with Clarke in weeks. What happened here? Perhaps Syracuse is waiting for Eric Burrell, a four-star safety from Maryland, according to Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey. Stay tuned…
Syracuse football fans were rejoicing this week when 2016 New Jersey defensive end Jamal Holloway selected the Orange. Holloway tells NJ.com’s Todderick Hunt why he picked SU: (1) Being close to home; (2) The football tradition at Syracuse (he specifically mentioned No. 44); (3) Familiarity. As to the latter, Holloway will be going to Syracuse with teammate DyMelle Parker, who committed to the Orange earlier this year. “Just to have somebody there that I know, that I’ve always played with, there for another four years, will be great,” Holloway said.
To round out football recruiting for the day, Scout.com’s Mike McAllister reports that cornerback Cycoby Burch will be making his college decision on August 28. Along with Syracuse, the Florida product is considering West Virginia, South Florida and Indiana.
On the hardwood, 2016 shooting guard Kevin Huerter is considering Syracuse, Notre Dame, Michigan, among others. Throw Maryland into that mix as well. 247 is reporting that Huerter will be taking a visit to Terp Nation this weekend. Syracuse already is at its limit for scholarships (plus one) with Tyus Battle on board, and Huerter has an offer strictly as a 2017 commit if he wants to spend a year at prep school. Michigan received a commitment from Ibi Watson, so that may complicate Huerter’s recruitment with the Wolverines as well.
» Related: Syracuse football picks up commitment from 2016 DE Jamal Holloway
Elsewhere, Syracuse basketball target Michael Porter Jr.’s legend continues to grow. The 6’10” wing put on a show at the Hardwood Classic over the weekend and many fans/scouts/coaches are saying he’s the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2017. 247 Sports posted a highlight reel backing that statement up. Syracuse is one of many schools interested in his services, but right now, Kansas holds a 71 percent prediction rate in the Crystal Ball.
Sticking with basketball, 5-star 2017 guard Hamidou Diallo put on a show at the More Than A Game Tournament at St. Albans Memorial Park. According to the Rivals.com recap of the game, Diallo, playing for AAU team NYC’s Finest, scored a game-high 24 points. But his team ultimately lost to PSAL’s Cardozo and Rashond Salnave. Syracuse has shown interest in Diallo, but has not extended him an offer yet.
To wrap things up, former Syracuse target Harry Gilies will be finishing his high school basketball career at Oak Hill Academy, former high school home of Carmelo Anthony and Eric Devendorf. Gilies crossed off Syracuse as a potential destination around the time Battle committed to the Orange (again with the scholarship crunch), and will select from finalists Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Wake Forest.
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