How conference realignment has changed Syracuse football recruiting

Yesterday on SB Nation, Michael Bird talked about how the Big 12 had fallen behind on the recruiting front due to conference realignment. The departures of talent-rich areas like Houston (Texas A&M), Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska (especially JUCOs) in exchange for West Virginia (nothing) and TCU (redundant of existing teams) have left the league hurting.

That, plus last week’s article about the Syracuse Orange’s recent focus on Florida, got me thinking about how conference realignment may have altered SU’s football recruiting strategy.

First, a look at the map of the old Big East footprint:

The Big East focused heavily on the rust belt, plus New Jersey, Kentucky and Florida.