Following three straight 4-8 seasons for Syracuse, 15 players put pen to paper and affirmed their desire to play under Coach Dino Babers and the Orange next season.
Utilizing a win over the defending national champion Clemson Tigers [9] and the slogan "Orange is the New Fast," Babers and his staff went across the country trying to find the next wave of Syracuse football players.
"I think we got a hold of some individuals we feel are excellent football players. As the football process moves to the second part of it in February, I think we would have had a lot of difficulty holding on to some of these young men," Babers said. This is the first season recruits were able to sign in December.
However, some pieces of the Syracuse puzzle will not be there next season. Co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sean Lewis will not return to the program in 2018, after accepting a job as head coach at Kent State University. Lewis, 31, has been part of Babers' staff since they joined in 2016. It has been reported that Matt Johnson, offensive quality control coach, will be joining Lewis at the Mid-American Conference school.
"He's done a fabulous job. I think he's an excellent teacher and I think he's off to a great start. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future," Babers said about Lewis.
The Orange announced 15 new additions to the program on Wednesday. Babers personally tweeted about each signee, with this being his third recruiting class since joining.
One component that Babers was proud of was the homegrown talent he was able to bring in.
"We're excited about the four young men that we have from the state of New York, and hopefully we can improve on that next year," Babers said.
Here is a list of the newest Orange players:
Trill Williams, a 6-foot 2-inch defensive back [10], signed on Dec. 20.
Cameron Jonas, a six-foot one-inch defensive back [11], signed on Dec. 20.
Just call this guy Air Traffic Control. All flights will be grounded in the Carrier Dome. @cameron_jonas9 [12] pic.twitter.com/CSTKyMAVgh [13]
— Dino Babers (@CoachBabersCuse) December 20, 2017 [14]
Andre Cisco, a six-foot defensive back [15], signed on Dec. 20.
Anthony Queeley, a six-foot two-inch wide receiver [16], signed on Dec. 20.
Cooper Lutz, a six-foot wide receiver [17], signed on Dec. 20.
Taj Harris, a six-foot two-inch wide receiver [18], signed on Dec. 20.
Carlos Vettorello, a six-foot four-inch offensive lineman [19], signed on Dec. 20.
Willem Froumy, a six-foot six-inch offensive lineman [20], signed on Dec. 20.
One of the smallest states in the US produced one of our BIGGEST signees. Welcome to the family, Willem! @WFroumy [21] #BEL18VE [22] pic.twitter.com/hOYgaF1HWd [23]
— Dino Babers (@CoachBabersCuse) December 20, 2017 [24]
Juan Wallace, a six-foot two-inch linebacker [25], signed on Dec. 20.
Tre Allison, a six-foot two-inch linebacker [26], signed on Dec. 20.
Ed Hendrix, a six-foot three-inch wide receiver [27], signed on Dec. 20.
Qadir White, a six-foot seven-inch offensinve lineman [28], signed on Dec. 20.
Gabe Horan, a six-foot six-inch tight end [29], signed on Dec. 20.
Lakiem Williams, a six-foot linebacker [30], signed on Dec. 20.
Chance Amie, a six-foot three-inch quarterback [31], signed on Dec. 20.
It wasn't all positive news for the Orange, though. Tyrone Sampson, a center from East English Village Prep in Detroit, announced his decommitment from Syracuse early Wednesday morning. Sampson was the only four star commit, according to 247Sports.com's composite rankings.
Here is a map of where the recruits are from within the United States:
Syracuse opens the 2018 season against Western Michigan on Sept. 1.
