Syracuse picked up a big signing Wednesday – literally.

Six-foot-8, 290-pound offensive tackle Denzel Ward from Simeon Vocational High School in Chicago signed with the Orange. Ward is a three-star recruit and is ranked No. 79 at his position by Scout.com.

Broadcasting his decision on Campus Insiders, Ward reached first for a South Florida hat before redirecting his arm to his left over a Vanderbilt cap and grabbing a hat with Otto the Orange’s face on it.

Going into national signing day Wednesday, Ward had narrowed his teams down to Syracuse, South Florida and Vanderbilt after turning down offers from other programs including Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

He joins two-star guard Aaron Roberts – another Chicago product – as the second offensive lineman in the Orange’s Class of 2014. Ward also becomes the seventh recruit from the Midwest to pledge to SU in the incoming class.