Javon Lawrence on Syracuse Commitment: 'It Was an Opportunity of a Lifetime'

Syracuse football landed a commitment from North Rockland (NY) High defensive back Javon Lawrence Friday night. He was an under the radar recruit who did not have a recruiting profile on the major recruiting sites prior to his decision. The Orange was also his only offer. Why was he so under the radar with such desirable measurables as being a 6-2 defensive back who runs in the 4.4s? He says it was a lack of film. 

"I feel like it's mostly because I didn't really have my Hudl film out there at first," Lawrence said. "I didn't really make one until a few months later. That's really it. My Hudl film was never really out there so no one got to look at my film."

Syracuse extended an offer on March 3rd. Less than two weeks later, he elected not to wait for other scholarships and instead jump on the one extended from the Orange. 

"It was really an opportunity of a lifetime for me," Lawrence said. "It's close to home, I wanted my family to come support me and watch my games, and being able to play at the highest level I could in my home state at a big University. It's really a blessing." 

The communication from Syracuse quickly led to an offer after making their pitch to the talented defensive back. 

"They hit my high school coach up first," Lawrence said. "Then they reached out to me and then offered me. The conversations were how I could learn under the best DB coach, coach Fran Brown. He will take me under his wing and put me in the right direction to get ready for the college level." 

After considering what Syracuse had to offer and making his decision, Lawrence next had to inform the coaching staff. 

"They were hype," Lawrence said. "Jumping up and down. They were hype about me coming." 

Lawrence has not visited Syracuse yet, but said he plans to sometime between March 20th and April 8th. The exact dates have yet to be finalized. When he does get up to campus, he knows what he wants to see about his future home.

"I want to see the field, definitely," Lawrence said. "The locker room, the facilities, the classrooms. I'd like to see the dorms and the lunching areas."