Palmer excited about Syracuse

Middle Island (N.Y.) Longwood offensive lineman Omari Palmer committed to Syracuse almost a month ago and he couldn't be more excited about his future at the Big East school.

Palmer received a verbal offer from Syracuse the day after National Signing Day in early February, and it took less than two months for him to conclude that Syracuse is where he wants to spend his college years.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman committed to Syracuse on March 22.

"I started talking to them in January so that was when I first started interacting with them," Palmer said on Monday evening. "It was probably mid-January. Then I went up for a visit in late January and from there I just got a lot of mail from them."

All of that was exciting for Palmer, especially the offer. That's because he grew up cheering on the 'Cuse.

"It was my favorite school growing up," Palmer explained. "I always watched them play any sport -- football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer. I just always wanted to play there."

Palmer visited Syracuse on January 24 for the first time. He just finished up with his second trip to Syracuse this past weekend, when he attended a junior day and the program's spring game.

"It was great," Palmer said. "It's just real nice up there. I got to see more than I saw last time. I got to see them play and they're actually really good this year. I'm not saying they weren't good last year. Usually this time of year you just see a lot of mistakes and there wasn't really a lot of that."

Palmer said he has been recruited to play guard for Syracuse, though he's hoping he continues to grow so he can slide over the tackle.

He said he is a solid verbal commitment for Syracuse and won't be visiting any other schools. Palmer has received mail and invites to various events from other schools but hasn't responded.

Prior to his commitment Palmer was receiving mail from UConn, Rutgers and some FCS schools.