sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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SU News
Welcome to Syracuse Rex, Scoop, Judge and Joel...
Recruiting in the Post-George McDonald Era (TNIAAM; Ross)
Many people were surprised last summer by how early the Orange were landing commitments for the 2015 class, as they already held 12 commits by the end of June.
In an interview with Mike McAllister of At their request, this network is being blocked from this site., head coach Scott Shafer gave some insight into what happened in the last cycle and why the staff has decided to change things up.
"I did want to pump the breaks a little bit because I felt like we had so many commits so early last year, which I was very happy with all those kids, but there were some outstanding things going on that made me feel strong about slowing it down this year a little bit," Shafer said.
The Orange have changed to a more conservative approach. When they would have accepted a commitment from any target last year, regardless of where they stood on the staff's board, they have decided to target their recruits this year more selectively. A good example is the QB situation in the 2016 class. By not accepting an early pledge from a lower-tier QB, they have a situation developing in which Rex Culpepper, a 3-star QB out of Plant, Fla., may commit when he steps on campus to visit this Tuesday with histeammate Scoop Bradshaw.
The Orange currently hold three commitments -- from running back Robert Washington, offensive lineman Cam DeGeorge and wide receiver Sadiq Palmer. Whether this strategy will pay off has yet to be seen, but with eight months until signing day, time is certainly on the Orange's side.
...
Other
Densel Barnes Led Indian River to a state Class A championship in the Carrier Dome
11 Area Seniors to Play in HS All-Star Football Game at Ithaca (PS; Weidner)
A resurrected football all-star game Sunday at Ithaca College will include 11 graduating seniors from Section III high schools, including six from state Class A champion Indian River.
The game, set for 2 p.m. at Butterfield Stadium, is sponsored by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association. It is a restored version of the Upstate-Downstate High School Football Classic that was held for three years at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome before being discontinued after the 2012 game.
There are currently 49 players on the Upstate roster and 42 on the Downstate team.
The Upstate team has five players from Indian River, which won its first state football title in November, including all-state quarterback/safety Densel Barnes, who will attempt to walk on at West Virginia.
Iona Prep senior Qaadir Sheppard, a Syracuse University signee at defensive end, is on the Downstate roster, though the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is listed as a wide receiver.
Here's a list of players on the upstate roster, with their high school and college choice:
Densel Barnes, 5-11, 185, quarterback/safety - Indian River -- West Virginia (walk-on)
Eyan Underwood, 6-1, 180, wide receiver - East Syracuse Minoa -- St. Lawrence
Keisean Scott, 6-1, 175, wide receiver/defensive back - Henninger -- Lackawanna CC
Mike Burton, 5-10, 175, kicker/punter - Westhill -- St. John Fisher
Fred Johnson, 6-0, 190, running back - East Syracuse Minoa -- Hudson Valley
Tyler Sloley, 5-11, 194, linebacker - Indian River -- Culver Stockton
Connor Brown, 6-2, 215, linebacker - Indian River -- Utica College
Tyler Wright, 5-10, 235, offensive line - Indian River -- undecided
Alex Tripodi, 6-0, 225, offensive line - West Genesee -- Binghamton
Jonah Raydo, 6-2, 245, defensive end - Indian River -- SUNY Morrisville
Gary Ruckman, 6-3, 225, tight end - Indian River -- undecided
Other
Syracuse Zoo Chooses 5 Finalists for Baby Elephant Name; Public Will Vote for the Winner (PS; Weiner)
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Monday unveiled the five finalists selected in a contest to name its new Asian elephant calf -- a nearly 300-pound baby boy born May 12.
After receiving 1,396 suggestions in online voting, the zoo staff selected five names that reflect the native habitat of Asian elephants.
During the voting period from May 26 through May 30, the zoo received entries from the U.S., Canada and Africa, Australia, Costa Rica and Germany.
The finalists are:
Welcome to Syracuse Rex, Scoop, Judge and Joel...
Recruiting in the Post-George McDonald Era (TNIAAM; Ross)
Many people were surprised last summer by how early the Orange were landing commitments for the 2015 class, as they already held 12 commits by the end of June.
In an interview with Mike McAllister of At their request, this network is being blocked from this site., head coach Scott Shafer gave some insight into what happened in the last cycle and why the staff has decided to change things up.
"I did want to pump the breaks a little bit because I felt like we had so many commits so early last year, which I was very happy with all those kids, but there were some outstanding things going on that made me feel strong about slowing it down this year a little bit," Shafer said.
The Orange have changed to a more conservative approach. When they would have accepted a commitment from any target last year, regardless of where they stood on the staff's board, they have decided to target their recruits this year more selectively. A good example is the QB situation in the 2016 class. By not accepting an early pledge from a lower-tier QB, they have a situation developing in which Rex Culpepper, a 3-star QB out of Plant, Fla., may commit when he steps on campus to visit this Tuesday with histeammate Scoop Bradshaw.
The Orange currently hold three commitments -- from running back Robert Washington, offensive lineman Cam DeGeorge and wide receiver Sadiq Palmer. Whether this strategy will pay off has yet to be seen, but with eight months until signing day, time is certainly on the Orange's side.
...
Other
Densel Barnes Led Indian River to a state Class A championship in the Carrier Dome
11 Area Seniors to Play in HS All-Star Football Game at Ithaca (PS; Weidner)
A resurrected football all-star game Sunday at Ithaca College will include 11 graduating seniors from Section III high schools, including six from state Class A champion Indian River.
The game, set for 2 p.m. at Butterfield Stadium, is sponsored by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association. It is a restored version of the Upstate-Downstate High School Football Classic that was held for three years at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome before being discontinued after the 2012 game.
There are currently 49 players on the Upstate roster and 42 on the Downstate team.
The Upstate team has five players from Indian River, which won its first state football title in November, including all-state quarterback/safety Densel Barnes, who will attempt to walk on at West Virginia.
Iona Prep senior Qaadir Sheppard, a Syracuse University signee at defensive end, is on the Downstate roster, though the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is listed as a wide receiver.
Here's a list of players on the upstate roster, with their high school and college choice:
Densel Barnes, 5-11, 185, quarterback/safety - Indian River -- West Virginia (walk-on)
Eyan Underwood, 6-1, 180, wide receiver - East Syracuse Minoa -- St. Lawrence
Keisean Scott, 6-1, 175, wide receiver/defensive back - Henninger -- Lackawanna CC
Mike Burton, 5-10, 175, kicker/punter - Westhill -- St. John Fisher
Fred Johnson, 6-0, 190, running back - East Syracuse Minoa -- Hudson Valley
Tyler Sloley, 5-11, 194, linebacker - Indian River -- Culver Stockton
Connor Brown, 6-2, 215, linebacker - Indian River -- Utica College
Tyler Wright, 5-10, 235, offensive line - Indian River -- undecided
Alex Tripodi, 6-0, 225, offensive line - West Genesee -- Binghamton
Jonah Raydo, 6-2, 245, defensive end - Indian River -- SUNY Morrisville
Gary Ruckman, 6-3, 225, tight end - Indian River -- undecided
Other
Syracuse Zoo Chooses 5 Finalists for Baby Elephant Name; Public Will Vote for the Winner (PS; Weiner)
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Monday unveiled the five finalists selected in a contest to name its new Asian elephant calf -- a nearly 300-pound baby boy born May 12.
After receiving 1,396 suggestions in online voting, the zoo staff selected five names that reflect the native habitat of Asian elephants.
During the voting period from May 26 through May 30, the zoo received entries from the U.S., Canada and Africa, Australia, Costa Rica and Germany.
The finalists are:
- Ajay (pronounced ah-JHEY)
Submitted by: Patricia Thompson, 60, of Central Square.
Reason/Meaning: The name is of Hindi origin and means "invincible." - Bae (pronounced BEH)
Submitted by: Caden LaBreck, age 5, of Syracuse.
Reason/Meaning: The name is of Korean origin and means "inspiration." - Batu (pronounced BAA-two)
Submitted by: Isabelle Perry, age 9, of Oswego.
Reason/Meaning: The name is of Central Asian origin and means "like his father." It can also mean "loyal." - Jai (pronounced Jay or Jye)
Submitted by: Sandra Merrifield, age 18, of Baldwinsville.
Reason/Meaning: The name is of Indian origin and means "victory." - Luk Chai (pronounced Look-Chai)
Submitted by: Rosamond Gifford Zoo elephant staff.
Reason/Meaning: The name is of Southeast Asian origin and means "my son." The first Asian elephant born in Australia has the same name. He is at the zoo in Sydney.
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