Lynnfield’s Cam DeGeorge was set on Syracuse.
The 2015 Globe All-Scholastic lineman committed to play for the Orange last April, won over by the coaching staff, athletic facilities, and academics.
“At the time, I thought that was the best place for me,’’ DeGeorge said.
But when DeGeorge puts pen to paper Wednesday morning on National Signing Day, his letter of intent won’t be sent to New York. Instead, his letter will make its way to Storrs, Conn., as DeGeorge switched his commitment to the University of Connecticut in December.
“For family reasons, I wanted to be closer to home, and there was a coaching change that made the decision easier,’’ said DeGeorge, alluding to the November dismissal of Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer.
DeGeorge decommitted from Syracuse Dec. 10 and committed to UConn Dec. 14. Despite flipping, he said the process of choosing a school wasn’t difficult.
“I mean, it’s a big decision,’’ he said, “but you just kind of have to go with your gut.’’
A two-way starter for Lynnfield, DeGeorge recorded 65 tackles and four sacks as a defensive end last season. He helped the Pioneers capture the Cape Ann League Baker title and reach the Division 4 North quarterfinals.
The 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound DeGeorge had a handful of schools to pick from, including Temple, one of UConn’s American Athletic Conference opponents, and the University of Massachusetts, but he preferred UConn’s location and campus.
DeGeorge hasn’t decided on a major, but is interested in business, engineering, or health sciences.
“I’m looking forward to just doing whatever I can to help the team, if that’s red-shirting freshman year or playing,’’ he said. “I’m excited to just start life, start a new chapter.’’
DeGeorge wasn’t the only one to change an early commitment. Lawrence Academy lineman Eddy Fish had committed to Boston College but changed his mind and will play in the Big Ten at Illinois. And NEPSAC Class C Player of the Year Isaiah Wright of Kingswood-Oxford switched from Rutgers to Temple.
Many others are still undecided, including four of the Globe’s six Players of the Year. Of the group, only Division 2 honoree Danny Dalton (Marshfield/Penn State) and Division 4’s Andrew Jamiel (Dennis-Yarmouth/Stonehill) have made their decisions.
Overall, there were 36 seniors on the Globe’s 2015 All-Scholastic team, and only 16 have made their decisions. But the signing period goes until April 1, so there is plenty of time for the remaining 20.
For those who did commit, Brown was a popular choice, with Xaverian’s Nick Allsop and Elijah Pierre, St. John’s Prep’s Jay Carnevale, Milton Academy’s James Fadule, Lawrence Academy’s Demitri Jackson, and BC High’s Phil Lynch all electing to attend the Ivy League school in Providence.
Stonehill added three offensive stars from the 2015 season in running back Jamiel, Central Catholic receiver Steven Jackson, and Pope John Paul II quarterback Johnny Warden.
Eric Russo, Michael McMahon, Lenny Rowe, and Bob Holmes contributed to this report.
