West Virginia Transfer Linebacker James Heard Commits to Syracuse
Syracuse football had landed yet another high profile transfer after an official visit. James Heard, a linebacker transfer from West Virginia, announced his commitment to the Orange. He has four years of eligibility remaining and is listed at 6-2, 230 pounds.
Heard was a class of 2023 four star (per Rivals) prospect who signed with the Mountaineers out of Camden High in New Jersey where he recorded 18 sacks in just nine games during his senior season. He chose WVU over offers from Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Penn State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia, Virginia Tech and others.
West Virginia thought very highly of Heard and reports were that they did not want him to leave. In fact, during training camp for the 2023 season, Mountaineers’ defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley praised his potential.
“Exactly why you go recruit a guy like that,” Lesley said. “He’s exactly what we thought he was. He’s one of our best natural pass rushers, just has a knack. He’s a lot savvier than you think he would be as early in his career in coverage. I mean, he had a pick today on a tipped ball and really just off reaction. He’s going to be a really, really, really good player for us.”
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