Orange Sign Two JUCO All-Americans
12/16/2016 12:32:00 PM | Football
Ryan Guthrie and Ravian Pierce pick Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Two of the most highly-decorated junior college players in America have decided to continue their football careers at Syracuse University.
National Junior College Athletic Association (NCJAA) All-Americans Ryan Guthrie and Ravian Pierce have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Orange, head coach Dino Babers announced on Friday, Dec. 16. Both players will be juniors in 2017. They will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and are expected to enroll in January.
The eighth-rated outside linebacker in the junior college ranks by Scout.com, Guthrie starred at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. He was recently named a 2016 NJCAA First Team All-American after ranking third in the country in tackles (139), including a nation-leading 107 solo stops. He also tallied 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception. Guthrie posted eight double-digit tackle games this past year, including a season-high 18 tackles in a 23-20 victory against Hutchinson Community College.
As a freshman in 2015, Guthrie earned NJCAA Honorable Mention All-America honors after recording 127 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles. He was an All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) First Team selection both seasons.
Prior to joining the Panthers, Guthrie was a Forsyth County News All-County First Team choice at Georgia's West Forsyth High School. As a senior, he amassed 72 tackles, one sack and recovered two fumbles.
Pierce is the No. 3 tight end and 30th overall prospect in Scout.com's Junior College Top 100. A 2016 NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American at Southwest Mississippi Community College, Pierce led the Bears in receptions (50), yards (426) and tied for the team lead with two touchdown catches. In 2015, Pierce snagged a team-best 27 passes for 207 yards and three scores.
Syracuse went 4-8 in Babers' first season as head coach. The Orange set or tied more than 40 offensive records in 2016 and defeated ACC Coastal Division champ Virginia Tech for the program's first win against a ranked opponent since 2012.
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