Syracuse traditionally has owned New York and its neighboring states in terms of recruiting and the Orange's 2011 class doesn't disappoint.

Coach Doug Marrone believes he's returned the program to its roots with specific targets from New York State. The Orange stayed at home and signed Baldwinsville, N.Y. offensive lineman Nick Robinson, the All-CNY player of the year, and quarterback Ashton Broyld from suburban Rochester, New York's player of the year in Class AA.

Syracuse's class is full of two and three-star players which was the case under former coach Paul Pasqualoni. Five star players generally attend schools from the SEC and Big 12 and the four-star players Syracuse recruited headed elsewhere.

"A lot of times what happens is, at the end, if you don't get a player who hasn't made a decision yet it kind of takes the air out of everyone else that you do have," Marrone said.

The Orange were waiting on Washington, D.C.-area defensive tackle Kevin McReynolds, a four-star player who chose UCLA over Syracuse, Mississippi State and Kansas State. Other than McReynolds, everyone else who committed to the Orange signed as expected.

"This year alone more people have de-committed than in the past 10 years," Marrone said. "In the last week of our recruiting, I would say four to five of our players who committed pretty much had gotten a full-court press on them to de-commit."

Syracuse's current group fills needs and is balanced -- with 12 on defense, 13 on offense and two specialists. Marrone wanted speed and versatility and signed a ton of both.

Areas of concern include depth on the defensive line and at linebacker but while some freshmen and junior college transfers might see playing time, Marrone isn't counting on anyone to make an immediate impact.

TOP OF THE CLASS

RB Adonis Ameen-Moore (Mullen High School, Denver) -- Seen as the eventual successor to departed RB Delone Carter, Ameen-Moore was named Colorado's offensive player of the year by the Denver Post.

OL Ivan Foy (Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn) -- Foy struggled some with his academics and that kept some recruiters away. He also excels at baseball and basketball for the Tigers.

WR/CB Brandon Reddish (Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn) -- The Offensive Player of the Year in New York's Public School Athletic League, Reddish was a do-everything player and even played some quarterback. Reddish who has a 4.42 40, could become a lock-down cornerback.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.