Naesean Howard won’t be accepted as a walk-on for the Syracuse football team this spring, a source told The Daily Orange Wednesday night. The former Syracuse safety was told by director of operations Brad Wittke that he’d have to wait until the summer, when he might be given a chance to join workouts or try out then.

Howard was the first commit to Syracuse’s Class of 2014 and was suspended during fall camp his freshman year for missing curfew. He missed the team’s annual trip to Fort Drum but was reinstated.

He never stepped on the field and parted ways with the program and school before transferring to Wagner. Howard never played there either, and is back at Syracuse this semester. He was hoping to join the team for spring workouts but will now have to wait until after the school year.

The local product out of West Genesee High School had the support of his high school coach, Joe Corley, who said this in an email to The Daily Orange earlier this week:

“I am not in a position to offer an opinion on what decision should be made; however, should he be reinstated, I certainly will be happy for him, will wish him the very the best and will be supportive of him in whatever way I can be.

“He goes down as one of the top performing athletes and football players ever to attend West Genesee High School.”