Rochester-area defensive back Chauncey Scissum committed to Syracuse as the Orange’s recruiting class continues to fill up under the new coaching staff.

Scissum, a three-star defensive back from Rush-Henrietta Senior High School, originally committed to Old Dominion before flipping to SU. He will join former Rush-Henrietta quarterback and current freshman Ashton Broyld at Syracuse.

Rush-Henrietta head coach Joe Montesano said Scissum has been a key part of his team, starting for four seasons. Scissum played quarterback in addition to safety and cornerback with Rush-Henrietta.

“He’s been a part of some very, very good teams, and started on our state championship team with Ashton as a 10th grader,” Montesano said. “Played receiver for a couple years and when Ashton graduated, we moved him to quarterback.”

Montesano said Scissum attended a camp at Syracuse but was not officially offered a scholarship until the staff changes in early January. At 6 feet, 1 inch and 195 pounds, Scissum runs a 4.58 40-meter dash time, according to Scout.com.

He made his commitment Jan. 23, according to Scout.

Scissum played football, lacrosse and ran indoor track at Rush-Henrietta, Montesano said. Last year, he finished second in the state in the triple jump.

“And he had never done it before,” Montesano said. “He just started doing indoor track last year as a junior as a way to stay in shape.”

With his move to Syracuse, Scissum will focus on football, and Montesano expects Scissum to improve in leaps and bounds.

“Once he’s committed to football year-round I think his upside is tremendous,” Montesano said. “He loves to lift weights and I think he’s just going to fill out and keep growing.”

Published on January 28, 2013 at 7:35 pm

Contact Mark: mcooperj@syr.edu | @mark_cooperjr