A quick take on 2023 linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard committing to Syracuse on Wednesday afternoon:
WHAT HAPPENED: Syracuse picked up a commitment from its top linebacker target in Iona (NY) Preparatory School three-star LB Zyian Moultrie-Goddard. Rated the No. 9 prospect in New York by 247 Sports, Moultrie-Goddard took his (only) official visit to Syracuse last weekend. The Orange had been in early on his recruitment, with assistant coach Nick Monroe leading the charge, having offered him in early 2020.
ANALYSIS: We spoke with John Garcia Jr., Director of SI All-American at Sports Illustrated, earlier in the week on The Juice on the Cuse Podcast, and he believes Moultrie-Goddard is a excellent fit for defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 system. “He’s an old school linebacker,” Garcia said. “He’s going to play his best football coming downhill. We get lost in the desire for three-down linebackers. That’s still needed, but you still need that classic downhill tone-setting linebacker. He’s got a lot of that in his game, and that’s why he’s become a more coveted recruit over time.” Moultrie-Goddard, who stands at 6-0, 240 pounds, has drawn comparisons to another physical linebacker who has emerged at SU, Marlowe Wax.
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HERO: Moultrie-Goddard is SU’s fourth commitment in the 2023 class, and the third from New York, joining defensive lineman Rashard Perry (Buffalo) and tight end David Clement (Albany). Perry is ranked as the Empire State’s No. 3 prospect and Clement, who also took an official visit to Syracuse this past weekend, is No. 6. Three-star quarterback LaNorris Sellers from South (SC) Florence committed in March and will be taking his official visit this weekend.
Proud to announce I will be committing to Syracuse University 🍊🍊🍊 @CoachNJ_Monroe @Joespags12 @CoachBabersCuse pic.twitter.com/qL2F9Fk2dS
— Zyian Moultrie-Goddard 🥷🏾 (@GoddardZyian) June 22, 2022
ZERO: Syracuse won a recruiting battle over several other high majors. Moultrie-Goddard selected the Orange over his other finalist West Virginia, and also held Power 5 offers from Arizona State and Tennessee. His other offers included Army, Buffalo, Columbia, UConn, Dartmouth, UMass, Miami (OH), Navy, Stony Brook and Towson.
WHAT’S NEXT: Moultrie-Goddard could be the first of several commitments in the near future. Syracuse also hosted defensive lineman Jalil Smith from Lincoln (NY) Abraham High in Brooklyn this past weekend, and tweeted earlier today that a commitment is coming “soon.” The Orange appears to be in good position for him considering Smith has only officially visited Syracuse. Then, there is offensive lineman Deandre Duffus, who is expected to commit on July 3. The Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep was also on campus for an official visit this past weekend and has officially visited Maryland and has one lined up with Indiana as well.
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