Class of 2016 linebacker Taylor Riggins decommitted from Syracuse on Tuesday evening, he announced in a tweet. Riggins is now the 10th player to leave the Orange’s 2016 recruiting class since head coach Dino Babers’ hiring on Dec. 5. SU’s current 2016 class now sits at 12 players with just over two weeks until National Signing Day on Feb. 3.

Riggins originally committed to SU on June 25 after attending a prospect camp. He is ranked with three stars and as the 122nd best outside linebacker in the 2016 class, according to 247Sports.com’s composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker from Aquinas (New York) Institute doesn’t have any other offers, but is expected to visit Massachusetts this weekend, according to Scout.com.

Riggins was previously the only player in Syracuse’s 2016 class from New York. When Babers was hired, he said he would prioritize recruiting players from the Empire State.

“You need to start in your backyard. We need to take care of the state of New York,” Babers said at his introductory press conference on Dec. 7. “… we’re always going to start close to home.”

Early enrollee Kenneth Ruff is the only other linebacker in Syracuse’s 2016 class. He flipped from Virginia on Dec. 12. The Orange is targeting Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) High School linebacker Andrew Armstrong, who decommitted from Bowling Green after Babers switched from BGSU to Syracuse and took several of his assistants with him as well.

Here’s a list of other players that have left SU’s 2016 class since the new coaching staff took over.

Will Harper — outside linebacker/safety

Darius Stubbs — hybrid

Dymelle Parker — defensive end

Noel Brouse — offensive lineman

Cam DeGeorge — offensive lineman

Sadiq Palmer — wide receiver

Brandon Ginnetti — defensive end

Monquavion Brinson — defensive back

Lindsey Scott — quarterback

Published on January 19, 2016 at 7:13 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds