2024 commit Syair Torrence wants to put Syracuse football ‘on the map’

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Class of 2024 Syracuse (N.Y.) Christian Brothers Academy wide receiver Syair Torrence (10) rushes up field. Mandatory Photo Credit: Judy Salamone.

In November, 2024 ATH Syair Torrence was on the phone with Orange head coach Dino Babers when he took out a rubber band he had received from Syracuse that said ‘Commit to Cuse.’

Torrence looked at Babers and said “I think I’m ready to commit.”

Babers didn’t fully understand the implication at the time, responding, “Okay, whenever you’re ready to commit, you let me know.”

Torrence was ready.

“Coach, I’m ready to commit now,” he said.

And with that, Torrence, a Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers Academy junior, became the Orange’s first commitment in the 2024 class.

“(Babers) was just really happy,” Torrence said on this week’s The Juice on the Cuse Podcast, presented by SNY.tv. “He gave the phone over to some of the other coaches.”

Torrence grew up in the shadow of the JMA Wireless Dome, and honed his craft at CBA, playing both wide receiver and defensive back. Schools in the area began to notice, as Torrence picked up offers from Syracuse and Buffalo.

Other schools will likely get involved in Torrence’s recruitment after a season where he led CBA to an undefeated regular season, and the New York State Section III Class AA championship. In that game, Torrence hauled in a 63 yard pass for a touchdown to tie it at 13, though CBA ultimately lost to Cicero-North Syracuse, 34-20.

While the season came to a disappointing ending, Torrence had a message for his teammates.

“It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson,” Torrence said. “We’ll be back next year.”

It’s that kind of leadership that has drawn the praise of his current coaches.

“Syair is a very humble young man,” CBA head football coach Casey Brown said. “The sky’s the limit for this kid.”

» Related: ‘Sky’s the limit’ for Syracuse football recruit Syair Torrence, coach says

The Orange hope that Torrence can unlock that potential while at SU, and the feeling is mutual as to why Torrence picked Syracuse.

“’Why not Syracuse’ is the better question,” Torrence said. “I wanted to put the city on the map. We’re not really a football city or a football state. I just wanted to show everybody the difference.”

If the name sounds familiar, it should. Torrence is the younger brother of current Syracuse point guard Symir Torrence, though his brother already being on campus didn’t play a factor in Torrence committing.

“Obviously my brother wanted me to come and play at Syracuse and stay home,” Torrence said. “He told me whatever sits right with you, just do it.”

Torrence was recruited as both a defensive back and wide receiver with the Orange, and to this point, it’s unclear where he’ll line up.

“They don’t care where I play,” Torrence said, noting that he’s built strong relationships with both defensive coordinator Tony White and offensive coordinator Robert Anae. “I just want to be on the field to help the team win. That’s the type of player I am. I just want to win.”

You can listen to our whole conversation by following “The Juice on the Cuse Podcast,” a Syracuse Orange podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.