Syracuse Having Success in Deep 2024 New Jersey Recruiting Class

The Orange leads the country in commitments from the Garden State this cycle.

Syracuse football is up to 15 players in its 2024 class after a flurry of commitments in the month of June. One of the primary reasons for the Orange's success so far this cycle are its efforts in the talent rich state of New Jersey. Syracuse leads the nation with six players committed from the state. Interestingly, Stanford is second with four commitments from the Garden State. 

But what does having six commitments really mean? How good is this New Jersey class compared to past cycles? We took a look at the last 10 cycles in the state for some context. 

Some notes on the numbers in the table below: 

1. The ratings/rankings are from 247Sports. 

2. The "1st 85" category is based on the rating number assigned to each recruit. Five stars are the top 32 players in a class, four stars are 90 and above from the 33rd best player on, three stars are 80-89. I picked 85, the midway point of three star prospects, as a way of gauging the depth of the higher rated three stars. The higher the number for 1st 85, the deeper the class. For example, if it says 27th, it means the 27th best player in the state is the first player rated an 85. That means 1-26 are rated 86 and above. 

3. The 2024 cycle is not complete as the ratings/rankings are not final. They will change throughout the cycle, but this gives a good barometer as to this cycle to date compared to previous. In fact, the numbers are actually more likely to look better for this class by the end of the cycle, with more three star prospects likely to be added. For example, Syracuse has a linebacker from New Jersey, Zekai Wimberly, that has not been evaluated yet and therefore has no rating. Once he does, he will likely be at least a three star and be added to those numbers. 

Cycle	4-5 Stars	3-Stars	1st 85
2024	2	46	25th
2023	4	35	22nd
2022	4	38	20th
2021	5	33	19th
2020	8	40	27th
2019	7	39	22nd
2018	8	31	18th
2017	11	31	20th
2016	9	40	26th
2015	10	32	21st

What exactly do those numbers mean comparatively? If you look at depth of the class (number of three stars and above, number of prospects 85 and above), the 2024 cycle is the third deepest over the last 10 cycles. The caveat to that is there are fewer four and five star prospects as 2024 only has two. That is the fewest of those 10 cycles. 

While it is not as top heavy, the total prospects three stars and above is tied for second most with the 2020 class (48). The 2020 cycle has more four and five star prospects as well as the 27th best prospect is the first rated 85 (meaning 26 are 86 and above). In 2024, the 25th best prospect is the first 85, third best over the last decade. The aforementioned 2020 was better as was the 2016 cycle. The 2016 class appears to be the deepest overall with 49 prospects at three stars and above and the 26th ranked player as the first 85. 

Of Syracuse's six commitments, where do they fall? All of those currently rated are three stars. Linebacker Zakai Wimberly, has not been rated to date. Of the other five, all are rated an 84 or above. Three of the five are 85 and above. That means Syracuse is not just landing New Jersey players, but quality recruits from the state as well. In a deep class, that bodes well for the Orange improving its depth and talent. Four of Syracuse's six commitments from the state had at least one other power five offer. 

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