Class of 2023 DB Sascha Garcia (MD) Portal to Wake

[hoopsupstate]

Fran has said multiple times it would be a quite year in the portal. I would take it as we are being VERY selective on who we are taking.
They are looking to build a strong foundation with the 35 kids from High School.

That’s true, but we have major issues to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Freshman are not going to solve those problems.

 

[djorange1989]

We have been so quiet in the portal. To be honest, it’s been disappointing in players lack of interest in SU. Visits that get scheduled, but sign somewhere else before the visit even takes place.

We are focusing NIL on retaining players. I am sure they would have really liked to have this kid but we are going to get outspent a lot of times, and the portal is not going to be what Fran leans on going forward to build this team, he will use it to fill some holes. We definitely have holes and he knows that but he wants to build a certain way, I think focusing on retention is the way to go. Hopefully a couple of million of that NIL gets used for a certain QB

 

[shu 49]

If we stay this quiet rest of year in portal we are in big andi mean big trouble. Our offense will be fine but our defense will be not nearly as good. Im nervous.

 

[kcsu]

Fran has said multiple times it would be a quite year in the portal. I would take it as we are being VERY selective on who we are taking.
They are looking to build a strong foundation with the 35 kids from High School.

I have heard that the approach is to use the majority of NIL on retention and selectively fill spots. I personally like the approach as I don't think relying on the portal is a good long-term strategy.

 

[djorange1989]

If we stay this quiet rest of year in portal we are in big andi mean big trouble. Our offense will be fine but our defense will be not nearly as good. Im nervous.

He will fill holes on D we just can’t get into a lot of bidding wars

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I have heard that the approach is to use the majority of NIL on retention and selectively fill spots. I personally like the approach as I don't think relying on the portal is a good long-term strategy.

I agree. It's a short-term bidding war. Hard to really feel like a winner in those.

That said... we do seem to have some glaring talent gaps on defense, so we either need to get some guys, or we need the guys on the roster to really develop beyond what they've shown so far.

 

[djorange1989]

I agree. It's a short-term bidding war. Hard to really feel like a winner in those.

That said... we do seem to have some glaring talent gaps on defense, so we either need to get some guys, or we need the guys on the roster to really develop beyond what they've shown so far.

We definitely need help on D and he knows that. I think we have the NIL overall to be competitive in the space but if an FSU throws a big bag at a kid which I am sure they did, we will usually lose those. There are so many guys in the portal and more to come after the playoffs and in the spring, there will be enough affordable quality for him to fill the holes

 

[richmondcuse03]

Fran has said multiple times it would be a quite year in the portal. I would take it as we are being VERY selective on who we are taking.
They are looking to build a strong foundation with the 35 kids from High School.

I was told they really like the kids we got from HS and think we're doing better there because so many other schools are focused on the portal instead. Fran had always thought the 2026 class would be his first big one at Syracuse but he outperformed his expectations on 2025. They think they have a lot of gems.

 

[cardiac]

I was told they really like the kids we got from HS and think we're doing better there because so many other schools are focused on the portal instead. Fran had always thought the 2026 class would be his first big one at Syracuse but he outperformed his expectations on 2025. They think they have a lot of gems.

Enough gems to replace LQA, OG, Meeks, Washington, Barron, Diggs, Marlowe, Cinco, Lewis, Bellamy, Barnes? I completely trust the staffs evaluation over the rankings but with a weaker roster and tougher schedule is this just a building year?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

We have been so quiet in the portal. To be honest, it’s been disappointing in players lack of interest in SU. Visits that get scheduled, but sign somewhere else before the visit even takes place.

Why assume it’s lack of interest by the players.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Enough gems to replace LQA, OG, Meeks, Washington, Barron, Diggs, Marlowe, Cinco, Lewis, Bellamy, Barnes? I completely trust the staffs evaluation over the rankings but with a weaker roster and tougher schedule is this just a building year?

No, they're not done using the portal. I think it's necessary, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I was told they still wanted a LB and another DT. And we always have the spring portal period too.

I expect Samuels to play from day one on D for what it's worth. I think they're OK with rolling the dice on younger players in the secondary but hard to do that upfront and at LB.

 

[007]

No, they're not done using the portal. I think it's necessary, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I was told they still wanted a LB and another DT. And we always have the spring portal period too.

I expect Samuels to play from day one on D for what it's worth. I think they're OK with rolling the dice on younger players in the secondary but hard to do that upfront and at LB.

Yup. Still expecting portal additions on D and maybe another OL. Still actively looking for DBs. Herring was a big loss at LB. I would guess that LB is a priority.

 

[hoopsupstate]

O

If we stay this quiet rest of year in portal we are in big andi mean big trouble. Our offense will be fine but our defense will be not nearly as good. Im nervous.

Our offense will need to score 45 points a game next year with our schedule. The defense has major holes at all three levels.

 

[orangepassion]

Why did they pass? Would be a bit concerning imo

Too dart?

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I have heard that the approach is to use the majority of NIL on retention and selectively fill spots. I personally like the approach as I don't think relying on the portal is a good long-term strategy.

If you bring in big classes, some will prove to be highly valued and some won't. The kids that don't will hit the portal and the talent will be taken care of financially and hopefully retained. You do that for a couple years and probably have a solid roster full of kids that Fran really likes. Some of the kids are projects as well, this class wasn't loaded with 4 star talent but came from very strategic recruiting areas and solid measurables. It's the plan for sure and lets face it the only way for Syracuse to ever really compete at a high level barring some HUGE influx of cash. program is and always will have to develop the talent and now retain the talent. I think Fran will always fill a few gaps with the portal but I don't think it we will see what we did last year all too often.

We have a few of the best recruiters in all of college football, it's pretty clear to see that money is the number one incentive for most of these bigger recruits these days, (HS and transfers and that is fine) which Syracuse has to be rather selective with even with Fran on board and constantly trying to bring in more capital.

X's and O's aside I don't really think Syracuse could find a better recruiting staff than they have right now. I just don't. Will it be good enough to truly compete for a top 12 CFP spot in a couple years? I really don't know and the schedule after this year should be somewhere in the middle of 24 and 25 so we shall see in 26 and 27

 

[Rautins07]

Could be waiting to see who enters from the remaining playoff teams as well as who will enter in the spring, but I do like the HS route.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Why assume it’s lack of interest by the players.

When the HC says they aren't going to as active in the portal this year, maybe we should take his word for it. I am sure they are looking for a few guys, right kids, right price type but I don't think Fran is anywhere near as active in the portal as many were hoping or think that he is. Why? because he said he wasn't going to be.

Would they take a DE, LB, CB orsafety? sure but at what cost

 

[hoopsupstate]

When the HC says they aren't going to as active in the portal this year, maybe we should take his word for it. I am sure they are looking for a few guys, right kids, right price type but I don't think Fran is anywhere near as active in the portal as many were hoping or think that he is. Why? because he said he wasn't going to be.

Would they take a DE, LB, CB orsafety? sure but at what cost

They might be a little more active now that the rumor is Kyle’s appeal was accepted. You want as much talent around him as possible.

 

[richmondcuse03]

They might be a little more active now that the rumor is Kyle’s appeal was accepted. You want as much talent around him as possible.

Frans mindset is to win no matter who is on the team. He always wants to get better. If Kyle comes back, he will be selling that to portal targets too. Fran genuinely wants to win a national title within the next few years.

 

[shu 49]

I have heard that the approach is to use the majority of NIL on retention and selectively fill spots. I personally like the approach as I don't think relying on the portal is a good long-term strategy.

I agree but the spots we need arent a frosh option really. We need the money spots lb and corner and a safety

 

[shu 49]

The cost would be 5-7 to

When the HC says they aren't going to as active in the portal this year, maybe we should take his word for it. I am sure they are looking for a few guys, right kids, right price type but I don't think Fran is anywhere near as active in the portal as many were hoping or think that he is. Why? because he said he wasn't going to be.

Would they take a DE, LB, CB orsafety? sure but at what cost

When the HC says they aren't going to as active in the portal this year, maybe we should take his word for it. I am sure they are looking for a few guys, right kids, right price type but I don't think Fran is anywhere near as active in the portal as many were hoping or think that he is. Why? because he said he wasn't going to be.

Would they take a DE, LB, CB orsafety? sure but at what cost

5-7 record if we dont get guys to fill our biggest needs. Nick Saban isnt winning games with this defense much less ERob. I am a SU homer but that is just drinking the cool aid and not being realistic.

 

[RMH44]

No, they're not done using the portal. I think it's necessary, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I was told they still wanted a LB and another DT. And we always have the spring portal period too.

I expect Samuels to play from day one on D for what it's worth. I think they're OK with rolling the dice on younger players in the secondary but hard to do that upfront and at LB.

I distinctly remember Fran mentioning the younger DB players "with more speed" were beginning to show out at practice. I think the staff has built a solid foundation of size and speed on the back end. Complete trust in Fran and staff's evaluation of DB's

 

[MamesJungro]

I was told they really like the kids we got from HS and think we're doing better there because so many other schools are focused on the portal instead. Fran had always thought the 2026 class would be his first big one at Syracuse but he outperformed his expectations on 2025. They think they have a lot of gems.

Honestly it’s been weird to see two or three of the top recruiters in the nation have a 10 win season then not get any splashy singings from the 40 kids we’re bringing.

 

[orangenauburn]

Honestly it’s been weird to see two or three of the top recruiters in the nation have a 10 win season then not get any splashy singings from the 40 kids we’re bringing.

Different ballgame now a days

Bigger wallet will beat out relationships now

 

[farnsworth]

Honestly it’s been weird to see two or three of the top recruiters in the nation have a 10 win season then not get any splashy singings from the 40 kids we’re bringing.

These things work on a 1 year lag. Almost all of the 2025 kids committed during the summer (prior to the season and 10-3 record). If you want to see improvement you'll have to look for it in the 2026 class.