Syracuse Basketball & Football Recruiting Q&A
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Subscribers of All Syracuse submitted recruiting related questions and we have the answers below.
Q: Who is our most likely 2025 basketball get?
A: The most obvious answer is Kiyan Anthony. The son of Carmelo is very high on Syracuse and has visited multiple times. He is not in a rush to make a decision, but it is possible one comes after AAU season this summer. I would expect him to be back on campus at some point before then as well. I like where the Orange currently sits, but Indiana will be a threat.
Q: We're active on a lot of 2025 QBs. Who is your prediction for who we actually land, and when do you see that happening?
A: Malik Washington and Luke Carney are the two I am monitoring the most. Washington, though, is likely the tougher get as many consider Maryland to be the favorite currently. He has visited both the Orange and the Terps back in January. If Syracuse can get an official this summer, it will have a shot. Luke Carney has a chance to join the class before then, however. He has visits to Cal and Syracuse upcoming with one to BYU in the rearview mirror. A decision could come this spring, especially if the visit to Syracuse goes well. As it currently stands, I would guess that Carney ends up picking the Orange.
Q: How many four stars do we get in this class? Any predictions on who we might be able to get?
A: Picking an exact number is tough to predict but I will say somewhere around four to five. I think predicting more than that will be tough, but there are a lot of factors here. First, Fran Brown and his staff are strong recruiters. They will get several highly touted recruits this class. Second, how does Syracuse look on the field in year one of the Fran Brown era? If things come together and an eight, nine or more win season unfolds, the number of four star prospects in the class could grow. If only a six or seven win season does, perhaps it is not as high as we expect currently. Some four star prospects to monitor include Deandre Desinor (RB), Jaelyne Matthews (OL), Jeff Exinor (Edge), Vernell Brown (ATH), Jahmir Joseph (ATH).
Q: Who is most likely to be our next point guard commit?
A: Nigel James. There is strong mutual interest on both sides. James has been on campus before and is in constant contact with the coaching staff. I think Syracuse has a very good shot with him. Alabama, Providence, Rutgers and Marquette are among those recruiting him the hardest right now in addition to Syracuse.
Q: Some current top priorities for Syracuse football in the 2025 recruiting class?
A: Definitely the two quarterbacks mentioned previously. I would also add the four stars to monitor noted above. A few others would include John Forster (RB), Braswell Thomas (WR), Willem Thurber (TE), Rowan Byrne (OL), Sampson Onuoha (Edge), Kole Briehler (DL), Cameron Miller (DB), DeShawn Stewart (ATH). There are others, but these are just a few for now.
Q: Do you see anyone we are recruiting (basketball) that could be our next Carmelo Anthony and bring us to the promised land?
A: If Syracuse is going to get someone of that caliber in the 2025 recruiting class, I think it would mean someone like Darryn Peterson (considered a top three player in the class), Darius Adams (top 20 player), Joson Sanon (top 15 player) picks Syracuse. I do not currently project any of those three as strong possibilities, so I am not sure there is one to point to right now. The best bet may be someone like Donnie Freeman, who starts out ranked in the 50s or 60s when he picks Syracuse and then skyrockets up the rankings to become a top 10, five star caliber recruit. Either way that is a lot of pressure to put on any recruit, so I will just let each prospect be themselves. A Melo type is extremely rare.
Q: Class of 2025 recruiting positions of need ranked.
A: Quarterback, offensive line and defensive line will always be the top positional priorities each recruiting cycle. I expect Syracuse to hit each hard every cycle. That said, I think linebacker is an underrated position for Syracuse in 2025.
Q: Who do you think we lose in the portal for basketball and any rumblings on names we would be interested in?
A: It is tough to predict as so many things will change, but I will give it a shot. I will say Mounir Hima and Judah Mintz leave, along with one or two others. I think Maliq Brown stays. Chris Bell I am 50/50 on but I honestly do not believe he has really thought about that too hard to this point. Let's say three or four players leave. I expect Syracuse to target guard and center in the portal. No specific names yet, but that is largely because many who will enter the portal have not officially done so yet. I know there have been rumblings that Brandon Huntley-Hatfield may enter. I would not be completely shocked if Syracuse did some due diligence on him. Jonathan Beagle out of Albany would make sense. If a guard like Erik Reynolds, who is having a strong season at Saint Joseph's, decided he wanted to play at a higher level and enters the portal, I could see Syracuse having interest.