Assessing Syracuse's Chances With 4-Star DL Ethan Utley
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Syracuse football is in the top five for 2025 Nashville (TN) Ensworth four star defensive lineman Ethan Utley. Utley has set a commitment date for March 28th. What are the chances he picks the Orange? I don't think very good. On a scale of one to 10, I would say a two.
Why is that? First of all, in his top five are Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Michigan in addition to Syracuse. Tennessee has received the most visits (more than six) and they have been recruiting him the longest. There is a long standing established relationship not only with him but with his mom. I think it is no coincidence that Tennessee was the first announced official visit (June 14th) after setting his commitment date.
Utley has yet to visit Syracuse. Now that could happen between now and the commitment date for a spring practice, but the most likely scenario is securing an official visit after he commits somewhere else. The plan is for Utley to take five or six official visits this summer, which would be months after committing somewhere.
If you are a Syracuse fan looking to add him to the Orange's 2025 recruiting class, your most likely best scenario is as follows. Utley commits elsewhere, likely Tennessee, on the 28th of this month. He then schedules official visits, including one to Syracuse. During that visit to Syracuse, Fran Brown and crew blow him away and are able to flip his commitment.
I still do not see that happening, but I will never underestimate Fran Brown's recruiting prowess. Ultimately I think Utley stays in state, however. On the positive side, even being mentioned in conversations like this and securing visits from prospects like this with a list like that is a positive step for Syracuse. It is why so many Orange fans are thinking a top 25 class is possible in the 2025 cycle.
Expect Syracuse to continue to recruit Utley hard and give it its best shot.