Zekai Wimberly Details Syracuse Commitment

The class of 2024 linebacker goes in-depth on Orange pledge.

Mike McAllister | Jun 12, 2023

Zekai Wimberly Details Syracuse Commitment /

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West Orange (NJ) High linebacker Zekai Wimberly committed to Syracuse during his official visit over the weekend.

"Just because of the coaches, it felt like that they really cared for me," Wimberly said. "That they want what's best for me. Then life after football. They were all telling me, and it's the truth, one day you're going to retire whether making it to the league or not, but being at Cuse I'm going to major in communications and sports broadcasting. They're number one in the country. With all of the connections I see they have and opportunities, I felt like I fit there."

The Orange was at the top of Wimberly's recruitment entering the visit, but it was a discussion with head coach Dino Babers that clinched the decision.

"I kinda came in as them being the top team for me," Wimberly said. "But what sealed the deal is just talking to coach Babers. It was so sincere. Even my mother, my father and my sister were like 'this is the real him.' He's not a two faced person. He's straight up. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to here. I really respect that."

Once Wimberly decided he was ready to pick Syracuse, it was time to inform the coaches.

"First thing was he (Babers) didn't even want to start another conversation," Wimberly said. "He just got up, gave me a hug and said welcome to the family. The rest of the coaches, coach Kendall and coach Gino, they were waiting outside and gave me a hug. It just felt like a home away from home."

Wimberly had a message for Syracuse fans following his commitment.

"I can't even say too much, just know I'm going to put on a show for everybody," Wimberly said.

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Published Jun 12, 2023

MIKE MCALLISTER

Title: Publisher All Syracuse Education: Roberts Wesleyan College Location: Syracuse, New York Expertise: Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting. EXPERIENCE Mike McAllister has been covering Syracuse basketball, football and recruiting for more than a decade. Mike's career started with his own free blog as a way to vent following sporting events. Shortly thereafter, a network of basketball sites called Coast 2 Coast Hoops asked him to run their Syracuse site. That site was called Nation of Orange, and Mike quickly established it as a go-to for Syracuse fans. After running Nation of Orange for several months, a position with the Syracuse site on the Scout network became available. After one year as the recruiting expert with Cuse Nation, he was named the publisher. Mike oversaw the transition from Scout to 247Sports, and ran the site on that network for years. Presented with the opportunity to join one of the biggest names in the sports journalism industry, Sports Illustrated, Mike jumped at the chance. All Syracuse was started from scratch by Mike and the Fan Nation team. It has now become a staple for Orange fans of various sports. Mike has broken news on recruiting, Syracuse basketball and football team information and has established himself as the top recruiting inside in the market. He has appeared on local radio shows, television broadcasts, national radio shows and much more. Mr. McAllister has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Information Management from Roberts Wesleyan College.