Syracuse 2023 tight end commit David Clement’s official visit to Syracuse in June deepened his commitment to the Orange, he said in an interview with The Juice Online.
“It was good. I really liked it,” Clement said. “Really just hanging out with the players helped me realize this is a team, this is family. I’m going to know everyone when I get there.”
Clement, who attends Christian (NY) Brothers Academy in Albany, was one of Syracuse’s earliest commits in the 2023 cycle. The Orange offered him on March 25, and Clement immediately accepted. That led to his official visit from June 17 to 19.
Two people he got to know well on the visit were EDGE Jalil Smith and linebacker Zyian Moultrie-Goddard. Both committed to the Orange after the trip.
“We talked a lot,” Clement said. “What it’s like playing for teams in different areas. It was nice to get to know them. Just connect with them on a football level and a friend level, just to show them that this could be the next four years with us.”
Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches that helped me along the way. I would like to announce my verbal commitment to Syracuse University to further my academic and athletic career. Go Orange🍊!!! @CoachBabersCuse @AlbanyCba @cbaalbany @GinoGigs @CuseFootball pic.twitter.com/b9bjkrV0id
— David Clement 🇳🇬 (@DavidClems88) March 25, 2022
Clement also got a chance to sit down with the assistant coaches, and specifically offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who was his lead recruiter.
“I talked to Coach Anae a lot,” Clement said. “I’ve got the best connection with Coach Anae. He’s expecting me to come in there and be a true tight end. Block and catch. Just make the defense have to be aware of both. I’m not just going to sit there and block. I’m not just sit there and run a route. I can do both.”
Clement is hoping to replicate the performance of another tight end Anae coached at Virginia, Jelani Woods. In his lone season with the Cavaliers, Woods was named First Team All-ACC after catching 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns.
He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
“I really like how he likes how he involves the tight end in the offense,” Clement said. “It’s nice to see what he can do with the tight end and see the success he’s had with one recently.”
» Related: 2023 LB Zyian Moultrie-Goddard: Syracuse football was ‘the best fit’
Clement is now preparing for his senior season at CBA, and he’s got a set of team and individual goals in mind.
“Win the state championship with my team,” Clement said about his team goals. “We fell short last year and it’s something we don’t want to happen again.”
And as for his individual goals: “I’m hoping I can just improve in everything. Just do the best I can do get ready for the collegiate level.”
Another major thing Clement plans to do to prepare for Syracuse is to be in Central New York as much as possible. Clement said he will attend as many games at the JMA Wireless Dome that he can this fall to make the transition as seamless as possible.
“I’m from New York,” Clement said. “Syracuse is the big name for New York and being from New York, everyone loves Syracuse. I just want to go in there and improve and help them from day one. Just go as far as we can and make some bowl games and help the team in any way I can.”
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