A quick take on 2023 defensive lineman Jalil Smith committing to Syracuse on Friday afternoon:
WHAT HAPPENED: Syracuse received a commitment from Jalil Smith, a defensive end from Abraham (NY) Lincoln in Brooklyn. Smith was on campus over the past weekend on an official visit and came away incredibly impressed by it. On Wednesday, he stated a “commitment was coming soon,” and formally announced it on Friday afternoon.
ANALYSIS: Syracuse has prioritized keeping local talent in New York. Of its five commitments so far, four of them hail from the Empire State. Two of them, Iona (NY) Preparatory School linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard and Albany Christian Brother’s Academy tight end David Clement, took their official visits with Smith, and rank as the No. 9 and No. 6 prospects in New York, respectively. The third, Rashard Perry (Buffalo), is on campus this weekend for his official visit per his Instagram story.
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HERO: It was another recruiting win for assistant coach Nick Monroe, who landed his second commitment as SU’s primary recruiter in less than a week. Monroe was also the primary recruiter on Moultrie-Goddard. 247 Sports’ Brian Dohn ranked Smith as the No. 83 prospect in the east and had this to say about him: “He uses his length and size well against high school competition. He is quick with his hands and he is able to disengage.”
I am beyond proud and grateful to Announce I am 100% Committed to Syracuse University 🍊🧡 #OURHOU23 #ORANGE #JUICEDUP@oc_lincoln @CoachNJ_Monroe @CuseCoachTW @CuseFootball @Coach_HugginsJr pic.twitter.com/VgMJBeOi49
— Jalil Smith ✞ ⑬🖤 (@iamfutureja_) June 24, 2022
ZERO: Smith selected Syracuse over offers from Bowling Green, Kent State, Temple and Stony Brook. Other schools that expressed interest included Indiana, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Boston College per Sports Illustrated’s Mike McAllister. He didn’t take any other official visits to schools other than SU.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse is one of the finalists for 2023 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. The Orange will also host several priority targets this weekend, including Jayden Bass from Springfield (MA) Central, who earned an offer at Syracuse’s Football Camp earlier in June, and Eric King, a priority offensive lineman from St. Peters (NJ) Prep. 2023 quarterback commit LaNorris Sellers will also be taking his official visit this weekend.
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