Susquehanna Township WR/DB Zikhere Leaks going Orange

Tagged under: District 3, News, Recruiting

Billy Splain | June 19, 2025

Rose picture courtesy Ed O’brien

Susquehanna Township wide receiver and defensive back Zikhere Leaks made his pledge to the Syracuse program on Tuesday. the 6-2, 185 pound athlete doesn’t boast huge numbers on offense, over 550 yards contributed in his career, but it’s likely his speed that attracted Syracuse Head Coach Fran Brown to him. Leaks is the current record holder in the 110M Hurdles with a time of 14.86.

Leaks announced his commitment yesterday on X saying “1000% COMMITED, I’m home”! 

His Head Coach at Township, Joe Headen, says “Syracuse is getting a player with a high ceiling and the willingness to work at becoming a very good DB.  Zikhere has been patient and a player that compliments a good group of WR. He, Jarrett Kern and the rest of the WR’s have learned and continue to learn a lot from Lex Cyrus and the coaching staff. He has also put time into becoming a better DB. I believe that it is important for our athletes at Susquehanna to be multiple sport athletes. It is great for our district and our sports team. But it also is a part of their recruitment. For example by running track athletes particularly football get verified times. Which prove valuable during an athlete evaluation”.

We caught up with Zikhere to ask about his choice:

PFN: Why did you choose to commit to them before your Sr season?

Because it just felt like home

PFN: Who was your biggest influence there. , who recruited you?

My biggest influence was Coach Dre Kates, and the person who recruited me was Fran Brown

PFN: What are they getting in player like you?

They can expect a hard working and talented and dedicated player from me, when i come up to syracuse to practice, they will see more of why they Offered me, im ready to prove myself to everybody on that staff

PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?

It was long and slow, but they always kept me in the loop and kept contact with me, thats why i built relationships with them and started connecting more

PFN: What position were you recruited for?

WR/DB

PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?

No I do not

PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?

They play a big role, a mother always knows whats right for their child

PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the program?

The coaches and players!

PFN: What are you most looking forward to while playing for Syracuse?

I’m looking for great vibes, hard working teammates and coaches, building relationships and bonds, and just overall enjoying college

PFN: Tell everyone out there in the football world something they’d never know about you until you told them:

Pick the right decision, a lot of coaches can lie to you and tell you what you wanna hear, but go where ur heart is at.

PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?

My head coach joeseph headen and my WR coach Earl Timothy

Why do you play football?

I play football cuz football is my life, i wake up and all i think about is football, its my safe zone, it gets me out of a lot of personal problems. I can always count on this sport!

What would you do to improve the recruiting process?

Stay in touch with the coaches u value the most!

PFN: What is it you’d like all your high school teammates and fans to know about your decision that you might have a hard time saying in person?

Its hard to choose between two good colleges, make the right decision!

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