Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer added four student-athletes to the program for the 2014 season, including Corey Cooper, A.J. Long, Cameron MacPherson and Wayne Williams.
Football Adds Four to the Program
1/17/2014 2:29:00 PM | Football
The Syracuse football program has added four student-athletes to the roster. Head coach Scott Shafer welcomed wide receiver Corey Cooper, quarterback A.J. Long,defensive tackle Wayne Williams and tight end Cameron MacPherson to the team. They are enrolled for the spring semester and will participate in practices and workouts with the team throughout the semester to prepare for the 2014 season. Syracuse begins Spring practice on March 18 and concludes with the Spring game on April 19.
Cooper joins the SU football team after spending a semester at Jireh Prep School as a wide receiver under head coach Scott Smith. Prior to Jireh Prep, Cooper graduated from Millbrook High School where he was mentored by head coach Clarence Inscore and offensive coordinator Mike Kirst. In 2013, he played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on the East team with current Syracuse tight end Tyler Provo. In his senior season at Millbrook, he had 41 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns.
Long comes to Syracuse after graduating a semester early from Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tenn., where he played for head coach John McNeal as a quarterback and safety in 2012 and 2013. He amassed more than 10,000 career passing yards in four years and led the Commanders to two Tennessee Class 2A State Championships. The 2012 and 2013 Tennessee Sports Writers Association Division II-A All-State selection was also a 2013 Division II Mr. Football Finalist. In 2013, he completed 54-of-116 passes for 1,168 yards and 15 touchdowns, and gained 466 yards on 84 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. As a junior, he passed for 2,476 yards and had a 37 to 1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and rushed for 669 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played at Pius X High School in Bangor, Pa. in 2010 and 2011, where the Royals won the 2011 American League Championship and Long was a MaxPreps second-team All-American and an Associated Press Class A All-State First Team selection. As a freshman, Long threw for a 2,852 yards, which was the most in District 11, and 28 touchdowns.
Williams, a Brooklyn native, joins Syracuse after spending two years at ASA College. He competed in three games during the 2011 season with the Avengers, recording 10 tackles including six solo, and four for a loss, three of which were sacks, before his season ended due to injury. His football career began at Abraham Lincoln High School where he was named to the 2010 New York Post All-City First Team, the Daily News All-Borough First Team and MSG Varsity All-Metro First Team to cap his senior campaign. He helped Lincoln advance to THE 2010 PSAL Championship Division Title Game and finish with a 12-1 record. He posted 55 tackles including four sacks and one interception.
A native of Syracuse, MacPherson transferred to Syracuse from Georgetown, where he played in two games at quarterback in 2012 and 2013. At Christian Brothers Academy, MacPherson earned 2011 first-team all-league honors and was the 2011 Sectional Championship Game Most Valuable Player after throwing five touchdown passes. He was a team captain for the Upstate team in the 2012 Empower Upstate-Downstate All-Star Game. MacPherson earned five letters at CBA, including three in football under head coach Joe Casamento, and two in basketball, playing for Buddy Wieklinski. He was the 2011 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award and a member of the National Honor Society. MacPherson's brother, Macky, was Syracuse's starting center for three seasons and a team captain in 2013, and his grandfather, Dick, was Syracuse's head coach from 1981-90 and is enshrined the College Football Hall of Fame.
Cooper joins the SU football team after spending a semester at Jireh Prep School as a wide receiver under head coach Scott Smith. Prior to Jireh Prep, Cooper graduated from Millbrook High School where he was mentored by head coach Clarence Inscore and offensive coordinator Mike Kirst. In 2013, he played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on the East team with current Syracuse tight end Tyler Provo. In his senior season at Millbrook, he had 41 receptions for 461 yards and six touchdowns.
Long comes to Syracuse after graduating a semester early from Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tenn., where he played for head coach John McNeal as a quarterback and safety in 2012 and 2013. He amassed more than 10,000 career passing yards in four years and led the Commanders to two Tennessee Class 2A State Championships. The 2012 and 2013 Tennessee Sports Writers Association Division II-A All-State selection was also a 2013 Division II Mr. Football Finalist. In 2013, he completed 54-of-116 passes for 1,168 yards and 15 touchdowns, and gained 466 yards on 84 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. As a junior, he passed for 2,476 yards and had a 37 to 1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and rushed for 669 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played at Pius X High School in Bangor, Pa. in 2010 and 2011, where the Royals won the 2011 American League Championship and Long was a MaxPreps second-team All-American and an Associated Press Class A All-State First Team selection. As a freshman, Long threw for a 2,852 yards, which was the most in District 11, and 28 touchdowns.
Williams, a Brooklyn native, joins Syracuse after spending two years at ASA College. He competed in three games during the 2011 season with the Avengers, recording 10 tackles including six solo, and four for a loss, three of which were sacks, before his season ended due to injury. His football career began at Abraham Lincoln High School where he was named to the 2010 New York Post All-City First Team, the Daily News All-Borough First Team and MSG Varsity All-Metro First Team to cap his senior campaign. He helped Lincoln advance to THE 2010 PSAL Championship Division Title Game and finish with a 12-1 record. He posted 55 tackles including four sacks and one interception.
A native of Syracuse, MacPherson transferred to Syracuse from Georgetown, where he played in two games at quarterback in 2012 and 2013. At Christian Brothers Academy, MacPherson earned 2011 first-team all-league honors and was the 2011 Sectional Championship Game Most Valuable Player after throwing five touchdown passes. He was a team captain for the Upstate team in the 2012 Empower Upstate-Downstate All-Star Game. MacPherson earned five letters at CBA, including three in football under head coach Joe Casamento, and two in basketball, playing for Buddy Wieklinski. He was the 2011 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award and a member of the National Honor Society. MacPherson's brother, Macky, was Syracuse's starting center for three seasons and a team captain in 2013, and his grandfather, Dick, was Syracuse's head coach from 1981-90 and is enshrined the College Football Hall of Fame.
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