Just when the Syracuse football team thought it had snatched two prized recruits from the clutches of national powers, the prep pair decided to opt for those Cotton Belt juggernauts.

On Wednesday, one day before they were set to sign national letters-of-intent, Eric Buchanan, a defensive back from DeSoto, Texas, and Terrence Holmes, a wide receiver from Glassboro, N.J., rescinded their commitments to the Orangemen. Buchanan committed to TCU, citing closeness to home as his reason, and Holmes committed to Florida, following a visit to Gainesville, Fla., last weekend.

Though SU’s Class of 2002 now boasts 25 members, all expected to sign today, it could add more in the next few days. Buster Davis, a Mainland, Fla., linebacker, eliminated SU from his list last Saturday. But he reportedly put the Orange back on Wednesday after he postponed a morning press conference to take more time to mull over his choices, which include Florida State.

Two other players — offensive lineman Chris Thorner and wide receiver Josh Hyman — are still considering signing with SU. Thorner visited Syracuse last weekend and Hyman comes to the Hill this weekend.

Before Buchanan and Holmes spurned SU, seven others did the same. Fullbacks Jackie Battle and Brian Leonard backed out, leaving Syracuse without a fullback. Tight end Broward Holsey of Clearwater, Fla., decided to play for South Florida. D’Brickshaw Ferguson of Freeport High picked Virginia and Rhode Island’s William Blackmon selected Boston College.

Following the trend

Still, this year’s class follows the Syracuse trend of bringing in one or two superstars and many role players. The list of past heads of the class reads like a who’s who of SU football: Donovan McNabb (‘94), Rob Konrad (’95), Quinton Spotwood (’96), James Mungro (’98), Dwight Freeney (’98) and Clifton Smith (’99).

‘It is a good formula for them,’ Superprep magazine editor Rick Kimbrel said of SU’s top-heavy classes. ‘It is a formula that works. Every team in the east except for Miami does the same thing as Syracuse. It has been the recipe for success for the Orangemen.’

Last year’s No. 1 recruit Cecil Howard redshirted, as did most prominent SU recruits of the past. One of this year’s top two players, quarterback Perry Patterson, will likely redshirt, as he’s the fifth signal-caller on SU’s roster (that is, if Troy Nunes decides not to opt out of his final year of eligibility).

The class’ other main man, tailback Damien Rhodes, from up the road in Manlius, will develop in the shadows of Diamond Ferri and Walter Reyes. Rhodes, who was recruited by Michigan State, among others, said he’d prefer not to redshirt.

‘Damien Rhodes could end up being that player,’ Kimbrel said of SU’s propensity for one-star classes. ‘Rhodes was a very highly sought after ballplayer.

‘They don’t look for superstars but find guys who aren’t thought of as superstars but could be world-class. There could be a sleeper prospect. I had a coach tell me that Donovan McNabb would never play QB in the NFL. You just don’t know.’

Kimbrel listed Connecticut all-purpose star Tim Washington as a possible surprise from this year’s class. Washington put up unreal stats at Central High. In a Nov. 9 game, Washington was 8-for-13 passing for 83 yards and one touchdown, had 45 carries for 424 rushing yards and four TDs, kicked three extra points and ran for a two-point conversion.

But don’t start conjuring up McNabb comparisons. Though Washington played quarterback in high school, he’ll fill a wide-ranging role for SU, contributing at wide receiver, running back and on special teams.

Aside from the Big Two (Patterson and Rhodes) and the Stat Smasher (Washington), Syracuse corraled 22 other players. Here’s a look at the breakdown by position:

Quarterbacks

Patterson, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder out of McCaskey High in Lancaster, Pa., was the No. 22 rated QB in the nation by SuperPrep. As a junior, he threw for over 1,800 yards and ran for 600 more while totaling 25 TDs. He possesses superb athleticism and a slingshot of an arm. Patterson should challenge redshirt freshman Cecil Howard in summer practices. Grab your quarters, it’s time to get back on the quarterback carousel.

Running Backs

The Orangemen didn’t recruit a single tailback last year because they relied on Rhodes signing on. The proposition was risky, as Rhodes was lured by Michigan State and Boston College. In the end, Rhodes decided to stay close to home. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder runs a blazing 4.34 40-yard dash. He played cornerback in high school but likely won’t at SU, as the Orangemen are replete with defensive backs. Rhodes could also run track at Syracuse.

We’ll list Washington as a running back for now. The kid from Bristol, Conn. (headquarters of ESPN) provided plenty of highlights as Connecticut’s player of the year and his 4.4 40-yard dash speed should prove handy on the Carrier Dome turf.

Tight Ends

Syracuse brought in a couple of bruisers at tight end. Brandon Darlington (6-5, 250 pounds) played offensive line in high school, and Justin Woody signs on at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. They should compliment SU’s current tight ends, Lenny Cusumano and Joe Donnelly, who are both 6-2. The only question is if Woody will be academically eligible (he still hasn’t achieved a qualifying score on his SATs).

Wide Receivers

Despite losing Holmes, one of Jersey’s top receivers, Syracuse brings in some solid talent for a developing receiver corps.

Tim Lane of San Diego could be a sleeper (he drew attention from UCLA). His size (6-3, 200 pounds) will put him ahead of the game as a freshman (even though size didn’t help Johnnie Morant much). He’s not afraid to play physical, which undoubtedly catches receivers coach Dennis Goldman’s eye.

Any receiver who’s successful at the highest level of Florida high school ball is no joke. Rashard Williams, who played 6A ball at Coral Gables, is a Maurice Jackson type. Williams is 5-foot-8, 170 pounds and runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

Offensive Line

Syracuse brings in four to replace the four who graduated. The Orangemen originally had a fifth, Brian Cavanaugh, a junior college transfer who came in for classes last month. But Cavanaugh went home to Saratoga, Calif., for family reasons.

At tackle, SU picked up Quinn Ojinnaka and Kader Drame. Ojinnaka was the 19th-best player in Maryland/Washington, D.C., according to SuperPrep. Drame originally signed on last year, but his grades were poor, and he spent a year at prep school.

Justin Outten and AJ Mitchell round out the O-line. Outten, a quick-footed beast out of Central Bucks West High (Pa.), was recruited by Michigan State and others. He can squat lift 600 pounds. As for Mitchell, well, we’re not sure if he uses periods between the ‘A’ and the ‘J.’

Defensive Line

Tamba Hali, a bluechip defensive end from Teaneck, N.J., chose Penn State over SU, but Syracuse still lured three quality big uglies to play tackle.

Omain Gullette (6-3, 315 pounds) was first-team all-state in Pennsylvania, no small honor in the football-rich Keystone State. Shadeed Harris (6-5, 275 pounds) doubled as a tight end while leading Phoebus High (Va.) to a state title. David ‘DJ’ Johnson (6-3, 260 pounds) runs a 4.8 40-yard dash and was one of the top defensive linemen in Houston.

Linebackers

Elvis Dumervil, brother of sophomore James Dumervil, chose Louisville over Syracuse because the Cardinals are giving him a chance to play defensive end.

But these four recruits should learn a lot under senior Clifton Smith. Jamar Atkinson possesses blazing speed. Jerry Mackey, nephew of NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey, has the balance and agility. He also went to Freeport High, the same school that produced Smith and current Miami Dolphin Morlon Greenwood.

Stephen Nicholas, out of Jacksonville, Fla., and Kelvin Smith, from Pomona, round out the crew.

Defensive Backs

Wow. Did SU ever hit the jackpot here.

The Orangemen reestablished themselves in the Washington area by picking up Luke Cain (Dunbar High). Cain’s high school coach describes him as a player who ‘will knock your hat off.’

Junior College transfer Darryl Kennedy is versatile as heck. He played quarterback, defensive back and kicker in high school. A year of maturation at Nassau Community College will help him.

Larry McClain also spent a year at junior college (Fork Union Academy). He signed on last year but didn’t qualify academically.

Modibo Sidbie, a Canadian, enrolled in January after spending a year at junior college (Vanier Prep). His 4.4 40-yard dash speed could melt snow. Maybe.

Another South Florida kid, Terrell Lemon (Carol City High/Miami), was ranked No. 63 in the nation among defensive backs by Rivals.com. He can play special teams too.

Anthony Smith is a top-notch safety. He rushed for over 1,800 yards and had seven picks last year as a two-way player.

Punters/Kickers

Brendan Carney will take over Mike Shafer’s punting job in 2003 and will likely redshirt this season. Carney averages over 40 yards a punt.

Staff writer Michael Rothstein contributed to this story.

Published on February 5, 2002 at 12:00 pm