2025 4-star EDGE Sharlandiin Strange commits to Syracuse Orange

Cheltenham (Pa.) 2025 four-star EDGE Sharlandiin Strange has committed to the Syracuse Orange, he announced on social media.

Strange is the nation’s No. 296 overall prospect and No. 22 EDGE in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 10 recruit in Pennsylvania.

Strange is the first prospect to commit to Syracuse for its 2025 recruiting class.

Syracuse building momentum

The Orange hired former Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown as head coach in late November, and Brown immediately made an impact on the recruiting trail. Syracuse currently sits at No. 42 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with 20 commitments. Brown has also brought in an additional 11 transfers for 2024.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie four-star cornerback Marcellus Barnes committed to the Orange during the All-American Bowl at the start of the month.

“I committed to Syracuse over Georgia and Ole Miss,” Barnes told On3. “My relationship with Coach Fran is what it came down to. He is a lot like me. He is not afraid to compete and he doesn’t back down from anything.

“From the beginning, Coach Fran recruited me hard and was honest with me. He tells you the truth regardless if you like it or not. I believe he is one of the best defensive backs coaches in the country, I think he can turn Syracuse around and I feel he can help me on and off the field.”

Brown was part of two national titles at Georgia. That excited Barnes too.

“Coach Fran, Coach E (Elijah Robinson), Coach Nick (Williams) and the staff all bring something to Syracuse. Coach E from Texas A&M, Coach Nick from Colorado and Coach Fran from Georgia. I like being the underdog and I feel like that is what Syracuse is, but they have a lot of potential and I am ready to go make an early impact and help them win games.”