Perspective on how good the 2024 class is (so far)

[Capt. Tuttle]

We need to back step this a bit. Yes it was 3 weeks, but we got done built in kids because of the newly hired assistants.

But it’s still crazy impressive.

It’s also years of making connections

 

[texascpa]

It's been the most exciting thing going on in SU sports in some time. That said, I am a little dismayed we haven't heard anything regarding the big boys visiting this weekend.

 

[rackman18]

It's awful quiet on the football home front. I just hope this is the "Calm before the Storm ".

 

[721Comstock]

It's awful quiet on the football home front. I just hope this is the "Calm before the Storm ".

LOL WUT???!!!

CUSE LANDED A 4* DB ON SATURDAY!!!!
beating out UGA and Ole Miss - 2 SEC programs.

You know, less than 2 days ago?

 

[MikeSU02]

LOL WUT???!!!

CUSE LANDED A 4* DB ON SATURDAY!!!!
beating out UGA and Ole Miss - 2 SEC programs.

You know, less than 2 days ago?

Listen, when you are addicted to the HCFB train, you need a fix almost every day.

 

[Goin' Deep]

LOL WUT???!!!

CUSE LANDED A 4* DB ON SATURDAY!!!!
beating out UGA and Ole Miss - 2 SEC programs.

You know, less than 2 days ago?

2 days...? Why that's like 6 Fran eons!!!

 

[FrancoPizza]

We need to back step this a bit. Yes it was 3 weeks, but we got done built in kids because of the newly hired assistants.

But it’s still crazy impressive.

That almost sounds like a back-handed compliment. It's as if you're saying these "built-ins" may dry up because these coaches are no longer affiliated with an SEC brand? Shouldn't we assume they will continue to develop relationships with kids just as they always have?

I think someone else nailed it. If we do well next year, 9+ wins, the sky's the limit. Anything less and the new staff may struggle to repeat this success.

 

[OmahaCuse]

That almost sounds like a back-handed compliment. It's as if you're saying these "built-ins" may dry up because these coaches are no longer affiliated with an SEC brand? Shouldn't we assume they will continue to develop relationships with kids just as they always have?

I think someone else nailed it. If we do well next year, 9+ wins, the sky's the limit. Anything less and the new staff may struggle to repeat this success.

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

 

[Atlcuse44]

I'm already going into DART withdrawal.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

Let's hope we won't have to find out.

 

[Niastri]

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

You're right... A bad year won't necessarily preclude continuing recruiting success, but winning does matter to perception. And these kids care about perception a ton.

 

[SoBristol]

That almost sounds like a back-handed compliment. It's as if you're saying these "built-ins" may dry up because these coaches are no longer affiliated with an SEC brand? Shouldn't we assume they will continue to develop relationships with kids just as they always have?

I think someone else nailed it. If we do well next year, 9+ wins, the sky's the limit. Anything less and the new staff may struggle to repeat this success.

I think the new staff can sell the sizzle (while they are undefeated) and they don't necessarily need 9 wins in season 1 to continue strong recruiting in years 2 and 3. Start and upward trend and sell playing time.

They likely have built relationships with kids in the junior and even soph classes. More importantly, they have relations with high school coaches in our NY, NJ and Atlantic region that should work indefinitely. Sure, it will take the transition from the SEC brand to SU and Upstate. Lots of reason to be optimistic that it is not a flash in the pan.

 

[steve deberg]

That almost sounds like a back-handed compliment. It's as if you're saying these "built-ins" may dry up because these coaches are no longer affiliated with an SEC brand? Shouldn't we assume they will continue to develop relationships with kids just as they always have?

I think someone else nailed it. If we do well next year, 9+ wins, the sky's the limit. Anything less and the new staff may struggle to repeat this success.

I agree with your second paragraph. Everything is going our way recruiting wise, but if the coaches lay an egg in terms of game plan and execution on the field in the fall, we may let the lightning out of the bottle.

I think what Jake’s comment meant was “don’t think that because they did this in three weeks at Syracuse that what they do over 52 weeks next year will be ~ 17 times better.” They had already built these relationships, so this wasn’t really done “in three weeks.”

 

[DoctorBombay]

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

Agreed. We're just getting started.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think the new staff can sell the sizzle (while they are undefeated) and they don't necessarily need 9 wins in season 1 to continue strong recruiting in years 2 and 3. Start and upward trend and sell playing time.

They likely have built relationships with kids in the junior and even soph classes. More importantly, they have relations with high school coaches in our NY, NJ and Atlantic region that should work indefinitely. Sure, it will take the transition from the SEC brand to SU and Upstate. Lots of reason to be optimistic that it is not a flash in the pan.

8 is the magic number; you can win 9 in a bowl. That seems attainable.
Anything beyond that just accelerates the process, and keeps the recruiting rolling. But with all these dudes we just bought in, 6-6 is a buzz kill.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

Keep in mind, Colorado had an extremely tough PAC 12 schedule this season.

Our schedule next year is far, far more manageable.

 

[721Comstock]

Keep in mind, Colorado had an extremely tough PAC 12 schedule this season.

Our schedule next year is far, far more manageable.

One might call it “creamy soft”

 

[steve deberg]

For my own curiosity, I thought I'd look at this years class (so far) using the same methodology (that is probably too fancy a word for whatever it is I'm doing here) I used for last year's class.

Essentially looking at the quality of our recruiting class based on P4 offers.

Yes, not all offers are reported. And yes, not all reported offers are committable.

This is still better than the star system.

2022 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (17 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 4.52
Median P4 Offers - 3

2023 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (19 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 1.94
Median P4 Offers - 1

2024 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (26 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 9.44
Median P4 Offers - 8

2025 Recruiting Class:
Highschool (34 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 5.65
Median P4 Offers - 4.5

Quick Observations:

• Based on P4 offers, the top of the 2025 class was much closer to the 2024 class than I thought.
  • KJ Edwards had 33 P4 offers in 2024, but no other 2024 commit had more than Antoine Deslaruier's 20 P4 offers in 2025
  • We had nine high school commits with 9+ P4 offers in 2025 - same as in the 2024 class
• Fran and the staff wanted to load up on high school commits in 2025, the ten commits who's only P4 offer was Syracuse really highlights this (not knocking the commits, they look promising and the staff has earned the benefit of the doubt for me)
  • Wyatt Bowman, Nissi Ogbebor, and Malachi Coleman are highlights of this group to me
  • We only had five high school commits in 2024 who's only P4 offer was Syracuse
  • Just for fun, if we remove those ten commits with only one P4 offer, we get:
  • Average P4 Offers = 7.6
  • Median P4 Offers = 7

I think we're all happy with the class, but there was a general sentiment that the class lacked "star power" or "high end talent." That might be true, but based on the P4 offers it's a lot closer than I expected.

Excited to see some young guys get their shot in the bowl, and then a whole bunch of new faces come Spring Camp!

 

[AngryOtto]

For my own curiosity, I thought I'd look at this years class (so far) using the same methodology (that is probably too fancy a word for whatever it is I'm doing here) I used for last year's class.

Essentially looking at the quality of our recruiting class based on P4 offers.

Yes, not all offers are reported. And yes, not all reported offers are committable.

This is still better than the star system.

2022 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (17 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 4.52
Median P4 Offers - 3

2023 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (19 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 1.94
Median P4 Offers - 1

2024 Recruiting Class:
Highschool/ JUCO (26 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 9.44
Median P4 Offers - 8

2025 Recruiting Class:
Highschool (34 Total Commits)
Average P4 Offers - 5.65
Median P4 Offers - 4.5

Quick Observations:

• Based on P4 offers, the top of the 2025 class was much closer to the 2024 class than I thought.
  • KJ Edwards had 33 P4 offers in 2024, but no other 2024 commit had more than Antoine Deslaruier's 20 P4 offers in 2025
  • We had nine high school commits with 9+ P4 offers in 2025 - same as in the 2024 class
• Fran and the staff wanted to load up on high school commits in 2025, the ten commits who's only P4 offer was Syracuse really highlights this (not knocking the commits, they look promising and the staff has earned the benefit of the doubt for me)
  • Wyatt Bowman, Nissi Ogbebor, and Malachi Coleman are highlights of this group to me
  • We only had five high school commits in 2024 who's only P4 offer was Syracuse
  • Just for fun, if we remove those ten commits with only one P4 offer, we get:
  • Average P4 Offers = 7.6
  • Median P4 Offers = 7

I think we're all happy with the class, but there was a general sentiment that the class lacked "star power" or "high end talent." That might be true, but based on the P4 offers it's a lot closer than I expected.

Excited to see some young guys get their shot in the bowl, and then a whole bunch of new faces come Spring Camp!

Based on Fran’s comments in the press conference I expect larger classes each year. Players that do not meet expectations or are not a culture fit will move on. That allows Fran the ability to build the culture of the program long term without relying too heavily on the portal.

 

[baggerbob]

Based on Fran’s comments in the press conference I expect larger classes each year. Players that do not meet expectations or are not a culture fit will move on. That allows Fran the ability to build the culture of the program long term without relying too heavily on the portal.

I think after 4 or 5 years when the 1st couple of classes graduate, and parents see how the young men grew into good young men with jobs and a future.
Then the program will take off because then you have prove that Fran's way works.

 

[IthacaMatt]

ESPN gave us the 33rd rated class, and noted that we focused on the tri-state area to get the best guys in our footprint (who, of course, will not rate at the top nationally, but who often turn into stud players).

33rd is ahead of Clemson, NC State, Fla State, Va Tech, WVU, Pitt, UVa, Wake - and this class doesn't compare to the last class. This is the class of guys to build on.

Top 75 recruiting classes: Late moves give Oregon its first-ever top class

We stacked the top 2025 recruiting classes in the country. Here's who is putting together the best groups.

www.espn.com

 

[IthacaMatt]

Not so sure look at Deion 4-8 still rolling

Our class this year is rated higher than Coach Prime's, according to ESPN. And we are not too impressed. Let that sink in for a while.

 

[orangefog]

Our class this year is rated higher than Coach Prime's, according to ESPN. And we are not too impressed. Let that sink in for a while.

I don't care about anyone else's class. Coach Fran has a plan and he is living up to and going beyond any expectations at this point. So, I believe in his team and his plan.