Syracuse picked up its third New York commitment in the 2021 class on Saturday, with Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) defensive tackle Elijah Fuentes pledging Orange on Twitter.
He’s rated three stars by 247 Sports and picked Syracuse over offers from Duke, Rutgers and Boston College, among others.
Syracuse has recruited well in its home state in this cycle, with New Yorkers Jaelin Moss (DT) and Malik Matthew (LB) having already given verbal commitments. Fuentes is the eighth ranked prospect in New York, with Moss (4) and Matthew (3) also in the top 10.
I’m staying home🍊1000000% commited💯 pic.twitter.com/M6foyHREVV
— Elijah Fuentes (@ElijahFuentes19) August 22, 2020
That reverses a trend where Syracuse had only landed one commitment (Steven Mahar, Rochester) in the last two cycles.
» Related: Breaking down Syracuse football’s 2020 updated schedule
In switching to a new 3-3-5 defense, Syracuse has remade its defensive line this offeseason, with the additions of Moss, Fuentes, defensive end Jatius Geer, defensive tackle Terry Lockett and defensive end Hayden Nelson in the 2021 cycle.
247 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong called this group of defensive linemen ‘sneaky good’ in an analysis, adding that this “batch of players with the potential to win you a lot of football games.”
The Orange also continues to recruit Camden (NJ) linebacker Nyair Graham, high school teammate of 2021 commit Duce Chestnut. Graham tweeted over the weekend that Syracuse continues to “show love.”
Graham is a top 400 recruit according to 247 Sports, is rated three stars, and recently spoke with 247 Sports’ Mike McAllister on his recruitment. He listed Chestnut’s commitment to Syracuse as a factor in his recruitment.
Syracuse showing love🍊🍊 #Cuse #OITNF (Not committed) pic.twitter.com/TKtLI8ZLuT
— Nyair Graham💫 (@NyairGlizzy) August 22, 2020
“Me and Duce been friends since we were seven, so we’re close,” he said. “And him being at Cuse helps me a lot with interest.”
Finally, the Sacramento Bee’s Joe Davidson and Carmeron Salerno named 2021 Syracuse quarterback commit Justin Lamson (Oak Ridge, CA) to its preseason All-Metro team. Lamson, a three star prospect, committed to the Orange in early July over finalist Louisville.
Sports Illustrated posted a highlight tape for Lamson last week, with analyst John Garcia Jr. stating that he is a “risk-taker who just makes plays wherever there is green grass.”
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