Five prospects the next Syracuse coach should target
Syracuse will have a new head coach next season. The Orange fired Dino Babers Sunday morning and the next head coach will have their work cut out for them on and off the field.
Syracuse has an 18-member recruiting class that ranks No. 48 in the nation. The next head coach will need to do what they can to keep the important prospects and build upon this foundation.
Here are five prospects not committed to Syracuse the next head coach should target.
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Torrence should be target No. 1 for the next Syracuse head coach. The Orange only hold one commitment from an in-state prospect and Torrence, a local prospect, would be a big addition. The former Michigan State commit originally chose the Spartans over Syracuse along with Rutgers and Boston College. He took official visits to all four programs in June but would be allowed to take another official visit to Syracuse because of the coaching change.
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Go big or go home, right? Harrison is a mountain of an offensive lineman and, again, an in-state prospect. His recruitment wasn't filled with drama and he didn't take many visits before committing to Georgia. Wisconsin was involved and he did visit Syracuse last year. Depending on who Syracuse hires, Harrison might think differently about the Orange.
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See above. Hines is another massive offensive lineman who would help the Orange a great deal. The Wake Forest commit didn't have Syracuse among his finalists prior to announcing his decision but the New England native clearly has some interest in playing in the ACC. Perhaps the right hire at Syracuse could get his attention.
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Michigan State isn't just looking for a new head coach. The Spartans are dealing with a lot of off-the-field baggage, too. Hasselbeck has been quietly waiting to see what happens with a new hire in East Lansing but a good hire at Syracuse might swing some momentum in their direction.
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James decommitted from West Virginia in early October and he's taken a much slower approach to the recruiting process than he did with his original decision. Temple, Maryland, UConn, Massachusetts and others are in the mix but Syracuse could have an advantage the others don't. His teammate is current Syracuse defensive back commit Braheem Long. That relationship could help the Orange if the next head coach does decide to target James.