Zach Allen, a quarterback recruit from Temple, Texas, who many considered the star of Syracuse’s recruiting class, has decommitted from Syracuse and committed to Texas Christian.

The uncertainty surrounding Syracuse’s vacant offensive coordinator position after former head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett took the same jobs with the Buffalo Bills changed Allen’s thought process, he said. He cited Marrone and Hackett as the reasons he originally chose Syracuse.

“Syracuse changed the deal on me when Coach Marrone and Coach Hackett left to go to the NFL. That really put a damper on things,” Allen said. “It really made me second-guess everything. Not knowing the offensive coordinator is going to be a downfall for me.”

Allen committed to Syracuse in May and was considered one of the Orange’s top recruits in the Class of 2013, making ESPN’s Elite 11 Finals, one of 25 high school quarterbacks invited to the competition. After Marrone and Hackett left Syracuse, Allen had been reselling the program to other SU commitments, he told The Daily Orange two days ago.

Allen said he visited TCU yesterday to confirm his decision and is excited to join the Horned Frogs.

I committed to TCU. I had been loyal the whole time and have done everything I could for Cuse. They changed the deal with coaches leaving.

— Zach Allen (@ZachAllen_12) January 12, 2013

 

Allen said while this week has been stressful and hectic for himself and his family, he is thankful for the opportunity Syracuse offered him. Allen also wished head coach Scott Shafer well as he and the Orange move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.

“I have been loyal to my commitment to Syracuse this whole time,” he said. “Ever since I committed, I’ve done everything for the program I can.”

“At the end of the day, I have to make the decision that’s best for me.”

Published on January 12, 2013 at 4:29 pm

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb