By Ed Birch, Special Writer
SBHS senior Dontae Strickland, captain and star of the South Brunswick High School Vikings football squad, and ranked one of the best running backs in the state of New Jersey has signed his football scholarship agreement to attend Syracuse University.
Mr. Strickland signed the agreement at 7 a.m. on Feb. 4, the earliest possible time permitted by NCAA regulations on National Signing Day.
The signing was witnessed at the high school by his parents Carol and William Strickland along with his brothers and sisters Tia, Devin, and Danny.
High School Principal Peter Varela, Head Football Coach Joe Goerge, Assistant Coach Jake Rodriguez, and Assistant Principal Susanna Nikitchuk also witnessed the official signing.
The paperwork was immediately faxed to the Orange program and the college then made the official announcement.The signing followed an early verbal commitment that was made by Strickland.
This was despite last minute recruiting attempts by both Georgia and Georgia Tech.
The Georgia recruiting attempt included contact by former Georgia star and current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Greene.
Mr. Strickland’s mom, Carol, convinced him to keep his deal with Syracuse, as “they were there for you since the beginning.”
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me through this process. I will never forget the Vikings family. Once a Viking, always a Viking” said Mr. Strickland after the signing.
He reminded the assembled witnesses that the Orange season will start in a game against Rhode Island at the Carrier Dome at Syracuse.
In parting to get to his classes, Mr. Strickland said “I can never forget my hometown. Gonna miss the Vikings. You guys are the best.”
Jokingly, Strickland was asked what he plans on wearing on Halloween.
He immediately responded “Syracuse Jersey #3, we are playing on the road at Florida State on that day.
South Brunswick Head Coach Goerge added “Dontae was the most competitive player that I have ever coached. He is by far the best running back that I have ever coached. I wish him all the success in his future college days.”
Syracuse Football Head Coach Scott Shafer, who will be entering his third year in that position told the South Brunswick Post after the signing that “Dontae is a great football player with great running back skills. He is also a very good defensive player and a better punt returner. I think that he can play with our varsity squad as a freshman.”
Mr. Shafer also pointed out that ‘I love his all-around play. I am really excited to have five athletes from New Jersey on my squad.”
He said he has watched “hours and hours of tapes of Dontae performing for Coach Goerge. ”
“We are really impressed and thankful that he has committed to Syracuse,” he said.The Syracuse Orange football team went 3-9 last season.
They will be playing seven of their scheduled 12 games at their home field, the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, this coming season including Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Clemson and Boston College.
