FB Recruiting Notebook | SU legacy Spinney 'best lineman ever' from New Hampshire

By: Christopher James

Posted: 10/19/06

Thirty years ago, Steve Spinney played center for Syracuse at Archbold Stadium. Three weeks ago, Spinney took his son, current SU prospect, Mark, to the same spot, today's Carrier Dome. Seeing the Orange beat Wyoming in double overtime brought back memories for Spinney.

"No matter how long you've been away from the school you played for, I think all the guys would say, it's still your team," Spinney said.

Syracuse would love to be Mark Spinney's team come signing day in February. Bishop Guertin (N.H.) head coach Tony Johnson calls him the "best lineman ever to come out of the state of New Hampshire."

"He's quick, he's big, he's strong," Johnson said. "He's intelligent."

Steve Spinney reminds his son all the time that Mark is a better football player than his dad.

"I make no bones about that," Spinney said. "He does things on the football field that I never could do."

Signing Mark Spinney would provide a big boost to the Orange's offensive line next year. Syracuse is tied for 106th in the nation in sacks allowed at more than three per game.

While Johnson said Spinney has visited at least 20 campuses, the senior put the Orange on a very short list after his visit.

"He was very, very comfortable when he went up there," Johnson said. "You know, things fit pretty well. I think Syracuse would be a great fit for Mark."

At the same time, Mark Spinney is trying not to jump at the chance to play for his father's alma mater. Spinney said he knows his dad would support him if he found a better fit elsewhere.

"It would be kind of neat," Steve Spinney said of his son playing for Syracuse. "But I really haven't pushed Mark at all. He's going to go (to the college he chooses) because it's the right fit for him."

What Spinney has done is prepare his son to play college football. Without directing him one way or another, Spinney said he's tried to prepare his son for the questions coaches will be asking him between now and signing day.

Although Mark admits he'll turn his phone off some nights when he gets sick of talking to recruiters, for the most part he's enjoyed the process. With a passion for football, staying up and talking to coaches about the game has just been fun, Spinney said.

Spinney sounds more like a fan than a highly touted recruit when he talks about being recruited.

"It's fun," Mark Spinney said. "Talking to coaches, and kind of just getting on the inside, and seeing what real college football programs are like."

Coming to the Dome, Spinney saw what Syracuse is like. His father had taken him to see the stadium when he was very little, but this was the first time he'd seen a game, Spinney said.

"That place gets pretty loud when the defense is out there," Mark Spinney said. "It'd be a great place to play."

Both Spinney and his father were impressed after meeting with the SU coaches. Mark said the trip improved his view of Syracuse. The chance to see the locker room and how the coaches actually coached was great, he said.

"They did a good job of not selling, and just presenting the information," Steve Spinney said. "I think Syracuse is a great school. They've got a great tradition of football, and they really don't have to do a lot of selling."

For now, Mark Spinney hasn't planned any other visits, but he still considers his options wide open for next year. The senior is enjoying every minute of recruiting.

"It's great to be wanted," he said.

In the hunt for Brooks

The Orange remains one of the final possible schools for Jourdon Brooks. Seneca Valley (Md.) head coach Fred Kim calls the Scout.com three-star linebacker a "sick athlete."

Kim said Syracuse is on a list with Connecticut, Temple and Tennessee as Brooks narrows down his final list of schools for next year. Some schools backed off Brooks because of concerns over his grades and eligibility for next year, Kim said. Now, that is no longer a concern.

"He's doing an outstanding job," Kim said. "He's gotten all A's and B's. He just didn't do too well as a sophomore and freshman. (He) picked it up late junior year, and now senior year he's doing an outstanding job."

Suter Update

Greensburg (Pa.) Central Catholic put on a show in another win last week, and as usual SU recruit Max Suter starred. The senior rusher posted 219 yards and scored three touchdowns. Suter is slated to play safety next year for the Orange.