The February 1 college football National Signing Day is quickly approaching, and over the weekend the Syracuse football program got a jump start as two high school recruits -- defensive end Josh Manley and kicker Ryan Norton -- announced their verbal commitments to SU. The additions of Manley, a two-star recruit, and Norton, brings the number of verbal commitments to 23 for the Class of 2012. Entering last year's signing day, Syracuse had landed 28 verbal commitments.
According to John Garcia from CuseNation.com, Manley (6-foot-3, 245-pounds) is a multi-dimensional edge rusher who has a high motor. "With some growth," says Garcia, "he could play sooner than later."
Manley made his decision to attend SU after just one official visit, which came on Sunday.
"I know that I can depend on them," Manley told Garcia, who gave a full breakdown of the Milton, GA recruit at CuseNation.com. "Since the first day I talked to them, I could tell they were interested; I felt like they like me more and more and more (as time progressed)."
Meanwhile, according to Norton via CuseConfidential.com's Ryan Murray, he was offered a scholarship about a month ago and head coach Doug Marrone said he'd mainly be responsible for kickoffs.
"This season I had 48 touchbacks the whole year," Norton told Murray shortly after his announcement. "Most of them were probably in the 70-yard range with four second hang time. The longest I had was about 80 yards on a kickoff."
For a list of all the Syracuse football verbal commits, check out CuseNation.com or CuseConfidential.com.
For more on Syracuse football, check out the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician.