You sometimes hear about players reclassifying up or back a year. It’s rare that you learn of a kid who plans on reclassifying a full two seasons, but such is the case with Syracuse’s latest commitment, defensive end Jonathan Kingsley. The 6-foot-5, 220 pound prospect oozes talent and is a big-time addition to the Orange class of 2017.
BREAKING: Syracuse has landed a commitment from DE Jonathan Kingsley, per source. Has reclassified to 2017 https://t.co/O7Gd4gSb0C pic.twitter.com/lEN6OQiiYo
— CuseNation.com (@SyracuseOnScout) September 24, 2016
I have to admit, this one caught me a bit off guard. I’ve been aware of Kingsley for awhile, but being a 2019 prospect I had written him off as being a prospect to really pay attention to in a year or two. The Syracuse coaching staff has been extremely high on him for awhile, and over the course of this summer he was included among their most coveted prospects. I simply never imagined that he was one of their most coveted prospects this year.
Kingsley is originally from Africa, and came to the US (North Carolina, specifically) in eighth grade, and has just started playing football over the last couple of years. In 2015, he had 104 tackles for Eastern Alamance High. He also returned an interception 91 yards for a touchdown, a good indication that yes, he’s a hell of an athlete for the position.
He’s got an impressive offer sheet, too. Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, and South Carolina (among others) have all offered him, but today he picked the Orange. This is an enormous recruiting victory for Dino Babers and his staff, at a position of definite need.
With Jordan Wright seemingly trending toward Florida State, this addition couldn’t have come at a better time for the defensive end position, either. While Syracuse would likely still take a pledge from Wright, the combination of Kingsley and Zach Morton give the Orange a pair of outstanding prospects at the defensive end position.
This is a major win for Syracuse on the recruiting trail.
