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Alijah “Cinco” Clark, who played defensive back at Rutgers in 2021, announced his commitment to Syracuse on Tuesday via Twitter.

#Committed Cinc:moneybag: :arrow_right: :tangerine: @CoachNJ_Monroe @CuseCoachTW @CoachBabersCuse pic.twitter.com/ofrE5rkS1d

— Alijah “Cinco” Clark (@cinco_agent) January 25, 2022

Clark played alongside Syracuse cornerback Duce Chestnut at Camden High School. Clark, a 6-foot-1, 195 pound cornerback, played defensive back and wide receiver for the Panthers. He recorded 21 receptions for 357 yards and four touchdowns on offense in 2020, and on defense, Clark had 22 tackles and was named second team all-state by USA Today.

Clark featured in seven games during the 2021 season, totaling six tackles and one interception against Michigan State. His season-high in tackles came against Northwestern, when he recorded three in the Scarlet Knights’ 21-7 loss. Rutgers defeated Syracuse 17-7 earlier in the season, but Clark did not play.

Earlier on Tuesday, Syracuse reportedly hired Michael Johnson Sr. as its new wide receivers coach, Pete Thamel of ESPN reported. 247Sports later confirmed the report. Johnson was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida Atlantic last season. Before that, he coached in the NFL from 2000-10, working with four teams as an offensive coordinator along with stints leading quarterbacks and wide receivers. 

Syracuse has now landed five players through the transfer portal following the departure of 15 players in 2021. Clark joins former Michigan State wide receiver CJ Hayes, former Michigan quarterback Dan Villari, former New Mexico State running back Juwaun Price and Louisville safety Bralyn Oliver as the Orange’s newest additions. Head coach Dino Babers said on Jan. 3 that SU was “hitting the portal hard,” specifically looking for wide receivers, tight ends and defensive backs.

Published on January 25, 2022 at 6:59 pm

Contact Anish: asvasude@syr.edu | @anish_vasu