When Greg Robinson became the Syracuse football coach before the 2005 season, he spoke about building a wall around New York. One of his major goals was to ensure the top in-state talent would stop leaving and start staying close to home.

After three years of trying, perhaps that wall has finally been built – or at least the foundation of it.

Robinson officially introduced the recruiting class of 2008, the largest and highest-rated of his career, at a press conference at Manley Field House Wednesday afternoon. The media also had the opportunity to meet four of the incoming freshmen that enrolled at SU in January: running back Averin Collier, defensive end Mikhail Marinovich, wide receiver Van Chew and kicker Austin Wallis.

Of the 27 prospects that comprise this year’s group, seven played either high school or prep school football in New York, including the two highest-ranked players in the state, according to Scout.com: Collier from Rochester and wide receiver Marcus Sales from Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse.

Although Syracuse did tap 10 states and Washington, D.C., the seven players from New York are the most from any one state.

‘That’s our community,’ Robinson said. ‘For our fan base, it’s got to be pretty darn exciting that the local talent has decided to stay. I think that only lends itself for the future. I’ve put a lot of pressure on the young group that’s coming in here to, ‘Come on, you can help us!’ To continue to bring and keep our guys home.’

Robinson has had some success in the state before this year, particularly with rising junior wide receiver Mike Williams, who hails from Buffalo.

This year was different. For the first time, Robinson managed to sign three four-star recruits from in-state (Collier, Sales and linebacker Romale Tucker, who hails from Washington, D.C., but played this fall at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y.). Defensive end Mikhail Marinovich, Tucker’s teammate at Milford, is also considered a four-star talent by some rating services, including Rivals.com.

Six months ago, it looked unlikely both Collier and Sales would sign with Syracuse, considering the other schools recruiting them. Despite having offers on the table from top programs like Boston College and Miami (Fla.), Sales narrowed his decision to either Pittsburgh or Syracuse because he wanted to stay close to home.

Collier received scholarship offers from almost 20 schools and was leaning heavily toward Pitt where he would team up with his brother, Kevin, who’s a running back for the Panthers.

The duo stayed in contact throughout the recruiting process, and even made their official visit to Pittsburgh together in November. Less than three weeks after that visit, Sales committed to SU, and Collier followed suit just one day later.

Collier said Sales’ decision to sign with Syracuse didn’t influence him, but his mother’s advice did. She told her son to revaluate all the offers before making a final decision – a suggestion that paid dividends for SU very quickly.

‘My mom was definitely pushing for Syracuse,’ Collier said. ‘She always loved Syracuse, even when (former head coach Paul) Pasqualoni was here, she always was a big fan. …It’s always been close to her heart for me to come to Syracuse.’

Though Collier and Sales are both offensive skill players, this is the most balanced class of Robinson’s career. His 2006 class, the first with entirely Robinson’s recruits, focused on offense, primarily the line. Last season, he went the other way and attempted to shore up the defensive line and linebacker corps.

This season, Robinson said he didn’t have any specific needs, and looked mostly to find the best available players. The class has five defensive linemen, the most of any position, highlighted by the 6-foot-4 Marinovich.

Robinson did add a few players to sure up an offensive line that has struggled mightily throughout the past few seasons. He signed four offensive linemen – Nicholaus Speller, Nick Lepak, Michael Kay and Ian Allport – all rated two stars by various scouting services.

‘I go back and remind you that (defensive end) Jared Kimmel, I don’t know there was a star. Mike Williams, I don’t believe there was a star,’ Robinson said. ‘It’s really about evaluation.’

Wednesday undoubtedly marked Robinson’s best Signing Day so far, at least on paper. Syracuse wants to be New York’s college team. It hasn’t quite earned that designation yet, but it’s a little bit closer.

‘It brings the whole community together and brings everybody in,’ Collier said. ‘It’s a great opportunity.’

jediamon@syr.edu

Published on February 6, 2008 at 12:00 pm