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The Daily OrangeRecruit | Syracuse's tradition enough to lure Mayes despite struggles
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 10/24/07, 9:30 PM EST Section: Sports
Right now, when the Carrier Dome is usually almost empty by the fourth quarter, it might not be seen as such a great place to play. Mayes sees a bright future and plans to bring back the noise.
"I was up there for the West Virginia game," Mayes said. "I said to myself, 'If we can get this thing turned around, I know the Dome's going to be rocking.'"
Mayes has visited Syracuse twice already and plans to make his official visit sometime in December.
He gave his verbal promise to Syracuse because of its past accomplishments, but he hopes to create his own legacy on the Hill as well. Mayes brought up the game where No. 17 Kentucky beat then-No. 1 Louisiana State. He said he thought of Syracuse when Wildcats' quarterback Andre' Woodson said Kentucky used to be the doormat of the SEC, but that's no longer true.
Mayes said Syracuse might look like the doormat of the Big East now, but he believes it can get going in the right direction, back to the glory days of SU football.
Mayes has the talent to turn things around, especially on the defensive end, Seton Hall Prep head coach John Finnegan said. He and Alkire both call him a shutdown corner.
"(Syracuse is) getting a good one," Finnegan said. "(They are) getting someone who can step in and contribute."
A huge selling point with Mayes is his speed. Mayes runs track and was part of the state championship-winning 4x400 relay team last year. Mayes even said the team's time could've placed in a number of Division I meets. Mayes runs a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash and was timed at 4.38 seconds.
In football, experts say speed kills. Next year, SU will have at least one player with potential game-breaking speed. Although Mayes hopes his speed not only brings in some victories but also helps Syracuse get back to being a power in the Big East.
"I want to be a part of the change and get things back on the right track again," Mayes said. "Hopefully we get this thing turned around and be a part of something great."
"I was up there for the West Virginia game," Mayes said. "I said to myself, 'If we can get this thing turned around, I know the Dome's going to be rocking.'"
Mayes has visited Syracuse twice already and plans to make his official visit sometime in December.
He gave his verbal promise to Syracuse because of its past accomplishments, but he hopes to create his own legacy on the Hill as well. Mayes brought up the game where No. 17 Kentucky beat then-No. 1 Louisiana State. He said he thought of Syracuse when Wildcats' quarterback Andre' Woodson said Kentucky used to be the doormat of the SEC, but that's no longer true.
Mayes said Syracuse might look like the doormat of the Big East now, but he believes it can get going in the right direction, back to the glory days of SU football.
Mayes has the talent to turn things around, especially on the defensive end, Seton Hall Prep head coach John Finnegan said. He and Alkire both call him a shutdown corner.
"(Syracuse is) getting a good one," Finnegan said. "(They are) getting someone who can step in and contribute."
A huge selling point with Mayes is his speed. Mayes runs track and was part of the state championship-winning 4x400 relay team last year. Mayes even said the team's time could've placed in a number of Division I meets. Mayes runs a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash and was timed at 4.38 seconds.
In football, experts say speed kills. Next year, SU will have at least one player with potential game-breaking speed. Although Mayes hopes his speed not only brings in some victories but also helps Syracuse get back to being a power in the Big East.
"I want to be a part of the change and get things back on the right track again," Mayes said. "Hopefully we get this thing turned around and be a part of something great."
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