Recruits reflect on unofficial visits to Syracuse after comeback win vs. UConn
Nearly a dozen recruits were in the JMA Wireless Dome for unofficial visits during Syracuse’s 27-20 win over UConn Saturday. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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When Syracuse running back Yasin Willis burst into the end zone for a go-ahead score against UConn on Saturday, he was within feet of SU recruits seated in the first few rows next to the endzone.
He wasn’t the only SU player to find that same corner of the endzone late in the game. On the next play, Steve Angeli found Darrell Gill Jr. for a two-point conversion in the same area. After the Huskies forced overtime, Justus Ross-Simmons plucked the ball with his fingertips right next to the near pylon, which ended up being the winning score.
“It was really cool because you got to see everything that happened,” 2027 defensive back Joaquin Phillips said. “That final stop that happened, the touchdowns that happened, it was just such a cool experience.”
About a dozen Syracuse prospects attended Saturday’s comeback win over UConn. The recruits spanned the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes, including SU verbal commits Kamron Wilson and Zikhere Leaks.
While visiting with the Orange, recruits noticed tendencies of current SU players and caught up with head coach Fran Brown and his coaching staff.
Here are some takeaways from the recruits that attended Syracuse’s week two victory over UConn.
SU youngsters catch recruits’ eyes
Freshmen Antoine Deslauriers and Demetres Samuel Jr. both stood out to SU recruits in attendance.
2028 athlete Anthony Lopez Jr. said he likes Samuel Jr. because the SU freshman is explosive and plays both sides of the ball. Lopez Jr., who holds 12 offers, has been studying Syracuse’s two-way player since he saw him on a campus visit in April.
Uncommitted 2028 athlete Anthony Lopez Jr. poses next to Syracuse head coach Fran Brown. Lopez Jr., similar to Brown, hails from New Jersey. Courtesy of Anthony Lopez Jr.
“I like everything he does,” Lopez Jr. said about Samuel Jr. “That’s someone I was definitely watching and keying in on all game and (I) definitely would use whatever he does to better himself to better my craft.”
Lopez Jr. spoke with Samuel Jr. pregame, where he wished him luck and said that he admires him. Lopez Jr. said his technique is very similar to Samuel Jr.’s at the defensive back position.
Phillips said he was watching SU’s safeties, but Deslauriers’ linebacker play stood out. Deslauriers, who earned a team-high 84.7 grade according to PFF, had two pass breakups during overtime to help Syracuse pull out the win.
“He was one of those players who had that ‘just win’ mentality,” Phillips said.
Closer contact with coaches
Throughout conversations with SU coaches on Saturday, recruits grew closer to the program.
Lopez Jr. and his family spoke with Brown, who harped on the importance of faith, trust and care. Both Brown and Lopez Jr. hail from New Jersey, and Lopez Jr. hopes to take SU’s head coach’s principles back to Paramus Catholic High School, where he wants to win a championship.
Phillips met Brown and defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer, among others. The conversations reinforced his relationships with SU’s staff from when he attended and won MVP at FRANchise Cuse Camps in June, he said.
“I really got to have a nice conversation with them, and they all loved having me down there to come watch the game,” Phillips said.
Class of 2027 interior offensive lineman James Cocozzo got a chance to build his relationships after meeting some SU coaches at April’s spring game. Cocozzo said he touched base with SU offensive line coach Dale Williams before and after the game.
Cocozzo was still in the JMA Wireless Dome when Brown had the Orange run sprints postgame. Brown told the recruits that, entering the contest, if SU didn’t do what they were supposed to do, they would run, Cocozzo said.
Trench-play under close lens
On both sides of the football, Syracuse battled in the trenches. The Orange’s offensive line paved the way for Willis’ go-ahead rushing touchdown, and SU held the Huskies to about 100 fewer rushing yards than it allowed to Tennessee in Week 1.
2027 interior offensive lineman and defensive tackle McCoy Richardson said SU defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. “impressed him.”
“He’s good at run stopping,” Richardson said. “(UConn was) running the ball for a lot of the game … then he also got a sack and some other stats.”
Cocozzo, who holds five offers, said he was impressed by SU’s offensive line. The Huskies blitzed a lot, he said, but the Orange did a good job blocking up front.
He also said he watched SU center Austin Collins despite not playing center himself. Collins’ footwork was impressive, Cocozzo said.
Behind SU’s offensive line, quarterback Steve Angeli threw for a career-high 417 yards to lead the Orange to a comeback.
Where SU prospects’ recruitment stands
Syracuse’s gameday experience allowed recruits to gauge where they stood in their recruitment.
Lopez Jr., whose other offers include Rutgers, Michigan State and Penn State, said his outlook on SU changed after Saturday.
“It betters the options on the table and I know they’re really interested in me, and I’m really interested in them,” Lopez Jr. said. “Just for any other school that’s really interested in me, I’m going to be interested in you.”
Phillips, who attends Don Bosco Preparatory High School – the same school as former SU quarterback Tommy DeVito – also grew a stronger connection to the Orange.
Uncommitted 2027 defensive back Joaquin Phillips smiles alongside his father at the JMA Wireless Dome. Phillips attends Don Bosco Preparatory High School, the same school former SU quarterback Tommy DeVito went to. Courtesy of Joaquin Phillips
“I always thought of Syracuse very highly. I always really liked it every time I came down. So, when I came to this game, it boosted the way I saw it,” he said.
Phillips said everyone at SU treated him professionally and felt “wanted.”
Before the game, he met with SU recruiters and talked about their lives outside of football. Phillips said he and the recruiters both enjoyed playing video games like Madden and NBA 2K. Some even root for the New York Giants like he does.
After completing his game visit, Richardson said his view on Syracuse didn’t change from his previous positive outlook on the program. The Bloomfield, CT native holds offers from SU and UMass.
“(The visit) only makes it better,” Richardson said. “Just so I can really see the experience for the first time again, just seeing how they play hard and never give up.”
