Greg Robinson can’t wait to undergo a normal recruiting process.

Last season, after being named Syracuse head coach in January, Robinson had just one month to prepare for National Signing Day. This year, he had to convince recruits that his Syracuse program is headed in the right direction despite a 1-10 season.

Always known for his defensive expertise, Robinson revealed the first step toward improving the third-worst offense in college football Wednesday by introducing his second recruiting class as Syracuse head football coach.

The class, comprised of 22 recruits, focused primarily on the offense, specifically the offensive line. The gems of the group come at the three offensive skill positions, Maryland quarterback Andrew Robinson, Ohio running back Delone Carter and wide receiver Andrey Baskin of Camden, N.J.

This is Robinson’s first recruiting class that he can properly call his own.

He retained 18 recruits that his predecessor, Paul Pasqualoni, left behind, and Robinson added three of his own recruits, including Lavar Lobdell and Bruce Williams from Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse.

On this day, Robinson was not as lucky with the local talent compared to last year.

Defensive end McKenzie Mathews, rumored to be leaning toward committing to Syracuse, instead made an about-face and signed with Pittsburgh. He announced his decision at a press conference at CBA an hour before Robinson’s announcement.

‘I felt that Pittsburgh had more positives than Syracuse, that’s what I based it on,’ Mathews said. ‘I just felt good with the team, the coaching – they really wanted me from the start. I just felt better at Pittsburgh.’

Still, Robinson is pleased with the class he signed following one of the worst seasons in school history.

‘You gotta be willing to take a hit and get up and go again, because that’s the nature of the business,’ Robinson said. ‘I wish I could tell you we got every prospect we were after; we didn’t.

‘It’s been a while, but I think a lot was accomplished. I think that we addressed some needs.’

Offensively, the Orange has countless needs. Baskin, the highest-rated recruit in Robinson’s class, headlines a deep bunch of receivers, including two in-state prospects Dan Sheeran and Mike Williams and a junior college transfer Taj Smith. However, Baskin still needs to qualify academically to play next season.

Carter, Ohio’s Mr. Football in 2005, will compete for time at running back.

‘It says a lot about our whole program,’ said Robinson about nabbing Carter. ‘(Assistant coach) Steve Russ did a remarkable job of putting the Syracuse product on the table for Delone Carter and his family.’

Robinson’s initial project for this recruiting class was to improve the much-maligned quarterback position. He received a verbal commitment from Andrew Robinson of Calvert Hall College High School in July. Robinson was one of three quarterbacks Syracuse offered scholarships to and the only one signed.

‘We identified a number of quarterbacks that we thought were gifted,’ Greg Robinson said. ‘If he was willing to get out there with us early enough to where maybe he could help in the momentum of the recruiting class, we would leave with the intent to just take one quarterback.’

Sometimes, making an early agreement with a top young recruit poses some risk. But Greg Robinson never felt his recruit would break his pact.

In order to protect the quarterback, whether it’s Andrew Robinson or one of the upperclassmen, Greg Robinson focused on the offensive line, another position embroiled in controversy last season.

‘The offensive line was definitely an area that we wanted to address,’ Robinson said. ‘A year ago we didn’t bring anyone in. Four seniors went out this year, and the numbers are low. We had to get some players.’

Robinson singled out another junior college transfer, Ian Hammond, as someone who will step in immediately next season as a long snapper. Hammond has already enrolled at SU.

Another of the offensive line recruits, Tucker Baumbach, de-committed from Maryland very late in the recruiting process to join the Orange.

‘I feel strongly that this group will develop,’ Robinson said. ‘We will develop a strong offensive line.’

Count defensive back recruit Derek Hrinya as one person thrilled at the thought of his classmates taking the field at the Carrier Dome.

Said Hrinya: ‘I’m really excited to see the other guys in the class, like Robinson, Carter and Baskin to come in. We’re going to have a really good freshman class next year.’

Published on February 1, 2006 at 12:00 pm