Syracuse splashed on the field and it resonated in recruiting with a top-40 recruiting class of 2025. The 2026 haul, however, may project even better for Fran Brown and company.
That junior group grew on Tuesday afternoon as Javeion Cooper announced his public pledge to the Orange. He actually made the private call soon after the regular season came to a close.
"I'm committing to Syracuse," Cooper told Rivals. "I choose Syracuse because of the intensity there. I just like how coach Fran coaches and I love everything they got going on up there."
The junior offensive lineman out of Melbourne (Fla.) Central Catholic, has some ties to the Empire State with his mother's roots in Rochester. It has resulted in three visits to see SU in person, most recently for the upset of Miami.
"That team culture showed," Cooper said. "After the Miami game, I actually committed in the locker room. Like right after the game.
"That thing was crazy. It was a blast!"
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Top 100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
Cooper sits as the fourth pledge for Brown's staff thus far in 2026. He choose SU over several offers in the ACC, SEC and Big 12.
The athletic offensive tackle knows spring football and his senior season will lead to more interest, but he is settled on his college choice at the moment.
"I'm going to keep in touch with Syracuse and focus on Syracuse, the school I chose," he said.
Of course there was a reason the entire SU team mobbed the newest commitment when he made his choice known after the big UM upset -- Cooper is viewed as an early priority for Brown's staff.
"On the field, I got that dog," he said. "I bring the pressure, the intensity. Off the field, I bring my personality -- it's very outstanding. I get a long with people and get to know people."
On a message for SU fans, the fourth pledge in the 2026 class kept it to the point.
"I'm comin'!" Cooper said.
