Nine Syracuse football freshmen enroll early, plus some transfers

Football: Millville vs. Winslow , December 5, 2021

LeQuint Allen (1) of Millville carries the ball as he tries to get by Trey Moore (2) of Winslow during the NJSIAA South, Group 4 football final between Millville and Winslow at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football recouped some of its depth this spring with nine members of its freshman class enrolling in January.

The group is highlighted by edge pass-rusher Francois Nolton, the highest-ranked recruit in the team’s 2022 class. Nolton, who participated in the All-American Bowl earlier this month in San Antonio, signed with the Orange last week.

The nine high school players are the most mid-year enrollees Syracuse has had under coach Dino Babers, one more than the 2019 group featuring Mikel Jones, a first-team All-ACC linebacker this past fall.

The players, eligible to participate in offseason workouts and spring practice, give the Orange much-needed roster depth after more than 20 players, including outgoing seniors, departed the program.

Several transfers are also on campus and have joined the team. Those players, which include Louisville-transfer defensive back Bralyn Oliver, New Mexico State-running back Juwaun Price, Michigan-transfer quarterback Dan Villari and Michigan State-transfer wide receiver C.J. Hayes, cannot be formally announced by the school until their certification paperwork is filed, the school said in a press release.

The nine high school players who have enrolled at the midyear are:

  • RB LeQuint Allen
  • WR Donovan Brown
  • LB Mekhi Mason
  • DL Denis Jaquez
  • EDGE Francois Nolton
  • DB Dom Foster
  • DB Cornell Perry
  • CB Jeremiah Wilson
  • P Maximilian Von Marburg

The group includes the five highest-rated high school recruits in the class and Von Marburg, the Australian who will compete for the starting job at punter.

Five more freshman signees from December are expected to enroll in the summer.

Assistant coaches are out recruiting this week ahead of the second signing window that opens Feb. 2.

Here’s a look at the Orange’s scholarship situation heading into that second signing period.

Contact Nate Mink anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-430-8253

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