When Greg Robinson took over the Syracuse football program less than a month ago, he had no staff and no experience as a head coach. Being from the Big 12, he probably didn’t know much about the current SU team and he probably knew even less about the 20 or so recruits that had verbally committed to the Orange (Heck, he didn’t even know how to pronounce Paul Pasqualoni’s name in his introductory press conference).

But by judging what he has done over the past three weeks, you’d never know.

Robinson announced his first recruiting class at Syracuse yesterday at the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex at Manley Field House. Nineteen new recruits are scheduled to be on campus next fall and two more enrolled this semester.

‘Overall, I feel like we did a very good job in a short period of time,’ Robinson said. ‘I received a lot of phone calls from high school coaches who spoke with high regard for our assistant coaches who had been to their schools.’

Robinson outlined three goals he hoped to achieve over the past three weeks. First was to honor the commitments made under Pasqualoni – he retained 18 of those 20 players – and second was to pursue the top local talent in New York. Third, he hoped to set a standard for next year.

Yesterday afternoon at nearby Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, that second goal was achieved. Receiver Lavar Lobdell, the gem of this class, and teammate Bruce Williams donned SU hats to the delight of those in attendance.

Lobdell chose the Orange over Florida and Miami while Williams backed out of a verbal commitment with Rutgers.

‘We were fortunate locally with a few student-athletes,’ Robinson said. ‘We are very proud to be bringing Lavar and Bruce into our program. They truly stand for everything that we are talking about.’

Robinson outlined the criteria he was looking for in a recruit and stressed academic success, conjuring images of Pasqualoni.

Among those who remained committed after Pasqualoni left were Pennsylvania running backs Curtis ‘Boonah’ Brinkley and Lamar McPhearson, linebackers Mike Owen and Mike Stenclik and defensive tackle Arthur Jones.

Brinkley committed to Syracuse a year ago out of high school but failed to qualify academically. He spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., and ultimately honored his commitment to SU.

‘I like Curtis a lot,’ Robinson said. ‘He’s an explosive runner with very good vision. I like his cut-back ability – he can get out into the secondary in a hurry.’

Because six of the 21 are receivers and two are running backs, Robinson suggested that all of the recruits may not line up in their current positions next fall. Robinson would not comment specifically on the status of any current players either, admitting he still hadn’t looked at each of SU’s current players.

‘I like Lamar (McPhearson) as a running back,’ Robinson said. ‘But I also like him in the back end of the secondary. He has a good feel for the game.’

So who will be throwing the ball to SU’s newest receivers? Robinson said he seriously pursued Colt Brennan, a former Colorado walk-on now at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif. He ultimately decided not to extend an offer. Brennan was convicted last September of second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass and unlawful sexual contact in Colorado, the Post-Standard reported.

‘(When I first got the job), I made him aware of our knowledge of his skills as a football player,’ Robinson said. ‘After a thorough evaluation, we decided it was not our place to offer him a scholarship. At the same time I wish him great success in his challenge to rebuild his name.’

In addition, quarterback recruit Adam Hearns was not included among the commitments announced. Hearns was convicted of rioting, assault and conspiracy by a Bucks County, Pa., judge in November.

‘He has some extenuating circumstances that he has to get rid of before he is admitted to this school,’ Robinson said. ‘Until those things are taken care of, we didn’t want to put him on the list.’

Still, Robinson seemed optimistic to begin his newest coaching assignment. He is excited that next year’s class can be even better and said to expect him to nab more top recruits from other programs.

‘We’ll be in those battles for years to come,’ Robinson said of taking Lobdell from Miami. ‘As time goes on, there will be more and more of those battles.’

Published on February 2, 2005 at 12:00 pm