Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse University football had a commitment from former five-star tight end Chris Clark to transfer to Syracuse … until it didn’t.
Syracuse also recently had a commitment from four-star running back Robert Washington to join the Class of 2016 … until it didn’t.
Anyone who follows the world of college football recruiting, be it uncommitted high school stars or transfers, knows that things can and do change quickly.
It just so happens Syracuse, a program that doesn’t get four- and five-star recruits on its doorstep that often these days, has caught and then lost two big fish off the line in the last two months.
So what gives here?
Washington cited trust issues with the coaching staff, an accusation SU was not permitted to respond to publicly via NCAA rules.
No matter how it added up, Syracuse lost a player who single-handily almost brought the famed No.44 out of the rafters.
Now Clark has come and gone.
How does Clark go from the right fit at Syracuse to not the right fit at Syracuse in the span of a week?
NCAA rules prohibit Shafer from commenting specifically on Clark’s case, but the Orange head coach reiterated what Syracuse looks for when it brings a player into the program.
“The biggest thing we are looking for is the right fit,” Shafer said Tuesday. “When it fits, we go full-speed ahead. You are always in the information gathering business in recruiting. At the end of the day, we sit around as a staff and try to make the best decision as a team for all the people that are involved in the program here.”
What are the specific qualities of a player with the “right fit” at Syracuse?
“First and foremost what we look at is their character,” Shafer said. “We look at their academic status, what type of schedule they have taken and where they are in terms of eligibility and work ethic. Many times, you get into situations where you look at what the grade-point looks like compared to standardized testing. I always lean on the grade-point because you are going to work hard and put extra effort into a good grade-point average where some people struggle on the standardized tests for many reasons.”
“Does this particular individual love football? Does he carry characteristics of a “gym rat” mentality? Does he play more than one sport? Does he enjoy competing all the time? Over the years, kids that play multiple sports go a long way with us.”
“I also look at the characteristics of the family makeup,” Shafer said. “Is there support there? As I tell all the recruits, there is going to be down times and difficult situations regardless of which school you choose. It takes quite a few people to help in the process to make it in college. You can say that about any student.”
People can talk and say all these negative things when they don’t even know all the facts
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) October 27, 2015
Clark seemed to be surprised at Syracuse’s decision to go in a different direction after the news surfaced on Monday.
“Like it makes no sense to me whatsoever … that they pulled my offer,” Clark said via Twitter direct message to the Daily Orange.
Clark has changed his mind often. He verbally committed to North Carolina and Michigan before signing with UCLA and then transferred to Syracuse before that broke down on Monday.
There was palpable buzz in the football wing when Clark visited Syracuse earlier this month.
This wasn’t a drive-by visit. He spent two days in Syracuse, talked to the coaching staff and planned to come back again for the Syracuse-Pittsburgh game this past weekend.
Who’s gonna be at the dome Saturday big game Pitt vs cuse can’t wait to check it out !
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) October 19, 2015
Then, just like Keyser Söze, poof … he was gone.
Reasonable minds can agree that Scott Shafer isn’t going to pull an offer from a player of Clark’s caliber unless there is a good reason.
I think we all know that more happens beneath the surface in recruiting than maybe we are privy to, but this has been quite the tease for Syracuse fans.
Fight Forward! #OrangeRevolution pic.twitter.com/ComqwOsE75
— Coach Scott Shafer (@Coach_Shafer) October 27, 2015
The coaching staff and fan base tweet their #Boom! and #OrangeRevolution!” messages when these guys commit, then turn around and talk about how they would have been a bad fit for the program anyway days later.
So thankful to Syracuse for giving me the opportunity to continue to play football Can’t wait to get started!
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) October 16, 2015
Was a HUGE week for Orange recruiting, thanks to @Clark8Chris — and now the Orange need a huge week on the football field. #OrangeNation
— FortyFourist (@fortyfourist) October 17, 2015
This is now twice in the last few months that Scott Shafer thought he had just bought a new Cadillac but got the CarFax report back and discovered it was a lemon.
What’s going to happen the next time a high-profile recruit has interest in Syracuse? There are only so many times you can #Boom! me before I wait for the other shoe to drop.
Syracuse has managed to find exciting young talent like Eric Dungey, Jordan Fredericks, Steve Ishmael, Antwan Cordy and others that make up the foundation of Syracuse football for years to come.
These were examples of the Syracuse recruiting process gone right. Players that may not have had the stars next to their names but were vetted by the Orange coaching staff and determined to be the right fit for Syracuse.
Syracuse football fans take to the radio airwaves and comments sections with claims that the Orange won’t return to ACC contention without four- and five-star recruits on the roster.
Syracuse football’s last two serious dealings with players of that caliber have reminded of the hard lesson that more stars equals more drama.
Now, Shafer has to decide if he wants to throw his pole back in that water or find another pond to fish in.
And Syracuse fans have to decide to trust that their head coach is using the right bait to catch the big ones.
Contact Brent Axe: Email | Twitter
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