Syracuse lands two JUCOs

The Syracuse Orangemen are in need of defensive help and today they received some good news. Two junior college transfers, John Mark Henderson and Derek Hines, both signed their grant in-aids with Syracuse this afternoon and will be eligible to play for the Orangemen this fall. Henderson is a defensive back prospect from the City College of San Francisco while Hines is a safety/linebacker from Santa Ana College.

"I am so excited to be an Orangemen," Henderson said. "It's a dream come true for me."

For Henderson it's been a roller coaster of a journey. He played running back in high school for South San Francisco High School. Henderson, 5-11 and 190 pounds, had to go the junior college route because he didn't do well on the SAT. Teams like Washington State recruited him but he ended up at the City College of San Francisco instead in 2007. There he mainly played corner. Over two years he recorded 60 tackles, 17 pass breakups and one interception. In two seasons he gave up only three touchdown receptions.

"I feel like I am physical and I can run with guys. I played a lot of nickel and can be a combo guy. I also played a lot of bump and run."

This past recruiting season Henderson thought he was headed to Texas to play for Houston but they wouldn't accept some of his classes. Then it was looking like he was headed east to play for Temple. There was a problem with their administration. Kansas State was next. He had an offer from the Wildcats but that changed when they went through a coaching change.

As fate would have it Syracuse was looking for secondary help and Henderson was looking for a home this fall. The Orangemen liked what they saw on film and they offered. Henderson signed today without ever stepping foot on campus.

"They called last week needing a DB. I fit their system and liked what I heard from everyone there. I took a leap of faith. You could say I am taking a one way trip to Syracuse."

Hines went the junior college route for different reasons. He was hoping it would give him a better opportunity down the line. He played running back at Villa Park High School in Santa Ana, Calif.

"I was one of those backs that wasn't too flashy and just run through the hole. If someone was in the way I would run them over. I wasn't really recruited and decided to go to Santa Ana. My dad played there and I had some friends going as well. I thought it might give me a better chance down the line to play college ball. I switched to defense because I liked to hit people. It all worked out."

Hines was right and now he finds himself going to play in the Big East for a school like Syracuse. He visited there last weekend.

"Man it's a great school. I am pretty big on academics and they have great academics. The tradition is huge and I love the coaching staff. They need help badly on defense and that was important to me, knowing I can help me. This is so exciting."

Hines, 6-1 and 217 pounds, played safety the last two years. Last season he recorded 61 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

"I have a nose for the football and I am smart player that knows what is going on. I like to hit and I am certainly not afraid of contact. I can cover and move to. It looks like I will play weak-side linebacker at Syracuse.

"I am very excited about this. It's too bad they have been down. The coaches there now are great. I really believe in them and we are going to turn this thing around."