Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse
Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu verbally commits to Syracuse
7:03 PM ET
It didn't take long for Grafton athlete Ifeatu Melifonwu to realize that Syracuse was the place for him.
Following a visit to the Orange's campus in late June, the versatile 6-foot-2 Melifonwu took a walk with his family and discussed his options.
That walk resulted in Melifonwu's commitment to Syracuse Saturday, making him the 12th member of Syracuse's 2017 class, and the first expected to play defensive back.
"When I first got the offer from Syracuse, they instantly became one of my top schools, along with UConn," Melifonwu said. "So I just talked it out with my family, and we decided to call (Syracuse) and commit."
Melifonwu, whose brother Obi Melifonwu is a star safety for the UConn Huskies, made his commitment to Syracuse official on Saturday. The younger Melifonwu admits he may have picked the Huskies if his brother was not graduating after this season, but ultimately he decided that he wanted to carve out his own path.
While Melifonqu did it all for Grafton last season on both sides of the ball, the Orange are looking for him to contribute as either a cornerback or free safety in their Cover 2 defense.
"The (Syracuse) coaches said they think I'm versatile enough to play either corner or safety," Melifonwu said. "So I'm not locked into one position, which is nice."
With the size and physicality to press receivers as a corner, and the length and range to cover ground as a safety, Melifonwu certainly looks like he can play either part when he arrives on campus.
Melifonwu enjoyed late success in multiple sports for the Indians last season. As Grafton worked him into different positions on the football field, Melifonwu excelled as an option quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back for a team that far exceeded expectations. Then, in a move that changed the landscape of Central Massachusetts lacrosse, Melifonwu joined Grafton's highly-regarded lacrosse team and become a lock down defender as a long sticker midfielder.
With the ball in his hands, Melifonwu led the Indians to a Division 4 Central title in football, and helped Grafton reach its second consecutive Division 3 state championship game in lacrosse. It was a banner year or Melifonwu, and he'll likely carry an even larger load for the Indians in football this upcoming season, as Grafton graduates a plethora of contributors, including star running back Matt O'Brien.
"We're losing a lot of seniors and starters, but I think we should be pretty good again," Melifonwu said. "We've got great coaching, and a bunch of younger guys with talent, so I think we'll be good again."
