2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeFB | Uneasy state of program led prized recruit Scott to de-commit
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 8/1/08, 7:39 PM EST Section: Sports
Darrick Scott would sit at home reading college football recruiting Web sites with disgust.
Every time he logged on to Scout.com or Rivals.com and checked the list of Syracuse commitments for the Class of 2009, the only name he would see was his own. The lone soul with a verbal promise to play for the Orange.
Then the rumors started flying. He heard over and over that Greg Robinson's future as head coach was anything but certain. Suddenly, Syracuse didn't seem like the best fit for a four-star defensive back like Scott anymore.
Scott, who attends Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md., announced his decision last weekend to break a verbal commitment to Syracuse and sign with Central Michigan instead.
"I read all the blogs on the Internet, and it opened my eyes when people all were talking, 'Oh, we don't know if the coaching staff will be intact or not,'" Scott said in a telephone interview Friday morning. "That's all hearsay right now, but people started saying it. If enough people say it, it will eventually be true.
"A lot of guys were saying, 'Why would you commit to Syracuse? You're a four-star. You're better than Syracuse.'"
The Orange has struggled mightily to land commitments so far this year, possibly because high school players are scared away from Syracuse's 7-28 record the last three seasons under Robinson. And not just top-flight prospects, either. Any prospects.
According to Rivals.com, the Orange now has two recruits for next year: linebacker Raheem Cardwell and wide receiver Leavander Jones, both considered two-star talents. By contrast, Big East rival Rutgers already has 19 verbals, including two four-star players.
Syracuse has the fewest recruits of any Big East school. Louisville has the second fewest with five.
This comes one year after Robinson landed his best recruiting class at SU, which included tailback Averin Collier and wideout Marcus Sales.
Perhaps Scott's departure adds insight to the shaky state of Syracuse football recruiting.
Every time he logged on to Scout.com or Rivals.com and checked the list of Syracuse commitments for the Class of 2009, the only name he would see was his own. The lone soul with a verbal promise to play for the Orange.
Then the rumors started flying. He heard over and over that Greg Robinson's future as head coach was anything but certain. Suddenly, Syracuse didn't seem like the best fit for a four-star defensive back like Scott anymore.
Scott, who attends Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md., announced his decision last weekend to break a verbal commitment to Syracuse and sign with Central Michigan instead.
"I read all the blogs on the Internet, and it opened my eyes when people all were talking, 'Oh, we don't know if the coaching staff will be intact or not,'" Scott said in a telephone interview Friday morning. "That's all hearsay right now, but people started saying it. If enough people say it, it will eventually be true.
"A lot of guys were saying, 'Why would you commit to Syracuse? You're a four-star. You're better than Syracuse.'"
The Orange has struggled mightily to land commitments so far this year, possibly because high school players are scared away from Syracuse's 7-28 record the last three seasons under Robinson. And not just top-flight prospects, either. Any prospects.
According to Rivals.com, the Orange now has two recruits for next year: linebacker Raheem Cardwell and wide receiver Leavander Jones, both considered two-star talents. By contrast, Big East rival Rutgers already has 19 verbals, including two four-star players.
Syracuse has the fewest recruits of any Big East school. Louisville has the second fewest with five.
This comes one year after Robinson landed his best recruiting class at SU, which included tailback Averin Collier and wideout Marcus Sales.
Perhaps Scott's departure adds insight to the shaky state of Syracuse football recruiting.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Bruce Connors
posted 8/01/08 @ 8:09 PM EST
This is why I said let's have thanksgiving early and put a fork in this turkey. Robinson is now the problem. The AD shoould have corrected his error sooner. (Continued…)
Ed Brooks
posted 8/01/08 @ 8:36 PM EST
This story should come as no surprise. After this year's team goes 2-10 at best, including a win over Northeastern, GRob will be gone. GRob appears to be a nice guy, but as a football coach, he's awful. (Continued…)
Gene
posted 8/02/08 @ 2:54 AM EST
Syracuse is going to be embarrassed by Northwestern, a weak Big-10 football school known more for its academics. The AD shoud try to get out of this ASAP. (Continued…)
marc
posted 8/02/08 @ 8:41 AM EST
A bad situation 3 years ago has only gotten worse. It's disappointing to see a once winning program go completely down the tubes. If Robinson can't get to . (Continued…)
Damon Cherico
posted 8/04/08 @ 11:38 AM EST
This one goes out to everyone that wanted Coach P fired. All Coach P did was recruit GREAT talent and win games. His worst seasons when everyone started calling for his head were better than the seasons we've had under Robinson. (Continued…)
Paul McCain
posted 8/06/08 @ 9:13 PM EST
The Big East should replace Cuse football w/ ECU or Memphis from C-USA.
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 8/08/08 @ 10:05 AM EST
Just goes to show that GRob is the millstone around SU football's neck. He is scaring away the talent, to say nothing of a pathetic record and poor attendance. (Continued…)
g33k
posted 8/12/08 @ 5:35 PM EST
Its funny that everyone is now realizing what I was saying when he came in. He cost the school 2.5 million dollars thus far. And thats just his salary for the years he's been here. (Continued…)
Post a Comment