2017 QB Daulton Hyatt talks Syracuse offer
John Garcia Jr.
10:46 AM
Syracuse Orange has a quarterback commitment in 2016 and could be looking to land another, but it isn’t ignoring the 2017 signal-caller class in the meantime.
During the week, it offered Arab (Ala.) junior Daulton Hyatt, joining Vanderbilt, Miami, Wake Forest and others on his growing offer list.
“They had sent me some letters and stuff, but coach (Jake) Moreland sent me a message on Twitter and wanted me to call him Monday night,” he said. “He told me that they had sat down as a coaching staff and watched my film and that I was exactly what they are looking for in a quarterback for their offense. He said they want to offer me a scholarship to Syracuse.
“It felt awesome to hear that. Knowing that someone thinks I’m a perfect fit for their team is an awesome feeling.”
Arab lies in north Alabama and the school isn’t far from Brindlee Mountain High, where SU targeted and signed one of its marquee prospects in 2015. Hyatt kept up with the news throughout that cycle and it likely won’t hurt the Orange’s chances.
“I have a pretty good connection and reference at Syracuse. A guy named Steven Clark plays there, he’s a freshman this year,” he said. “We’re from the same town but he went to a different school. From what I’ve heard he loves it! I haven’t gotten to talk to him much since he’s been there, but he’s getting a lot of playing time early and is doing some big things for the team.”
Now looking to make a Syracuse visit, Hyatt says he’s taking the recruiting process slowly while many in the SEC and ACC continue to extend offers and express interest. The short term plan is to attend several games this fall.
“It’s picking up a lot, I think,” he said of his recruitment. “Just have to keep working and getting better.”
Despite the recruiting success, the Arab Knights haven’t been able to see the same success of the 2014 season, when it surprised and made the playoffs. It has forced one of Alabama’s top juniors to learn some football lessons the hard way.
“The season isn’t going like we had planned,” Hyatt said. “We are a very inexperienced team this year of mostly juniors. We’ve had some key players get injured early and we only have six seniors on the team. I’ve learned that no matter what the scoreboard says or what happens during the game, I always have to be the leader I’m supposed to be for my team and do whatever I can to lead them.”
