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UPDATE: This post was last updated at 1:57 p.m. on July 12.

Syracuse football’s 2026 class is one of its highest rated in years.

The Orange’s haul is ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, per 247Sports.

This is the second class under SU head coach Fran Brown, and he’s continued to reestablish a Florida connection. Last recruiting cycle, four-star athlete Demetres Samuel Jr. was one of six Sunshine state natives. A year later, the Orange have matched their tally of six Florida natives and have gotten pledges from four four-star recruits, according to 247Sports Composite.

Here’s a tracker of every Syracuse 2026 commit that will be updated as recruits announce their decisions:

Cameron Hairston-Taylor, athlete, committed July 11

The Syracuse coaching staff started pursuing Cameron Hairston-Taylor late in the 2026 recruiting cycle and earned a verbal pledge. The Orange gave the three-star from Virginia an offer on May 8 and were one of three programs he took an official visit to.

SU beat out the two-way athlete’s other finalists, which included South Carolina, Louisville, Appalachian State and Virginia Tech. Hairston-Taylor plays both wide receiver and defensive back and runs track at Patrick Henry High School. He’s ranked the 25th-best prospect in Virginia, per 247Sports.

Roseby Lubintus, offensive lineman, committed July 9

The connection between Brown’s native state of New Jersey and Syracuse remains strong with the addition of Roseby Lubintus. The 6-foot-5, 350-pounder flipped his commitment from Penn State to SU.

Lubintus was one of many recruits that attended Syracuse’s win over Miami in its 2024 regular season finale. He ranks as a three-star prospect and the 11th-best player in New Jersey, according to 247Sports. He chose the Orange over offers from Maryland, Michigan State and Florida.

Calvin Russell, wide receiver, committed July 5

Calvin Russell’s commitment immediately makes him Syracuse’s highest-ranked 2026 recruit. The Florida native is ranked a 98 grade by 247Sports and is a five-star prospect. He is the third five-star ever to commit to Syracuse and first since 2001, joining Johnnie Morant and Cecil Howard.

Russell’s final eight schools included Oregon, Miami, Florida State, Florida, LSU, UNC and Michigan. He joins the Orange’s other five 2026 wide receiver commits, which includes four-star Amare Gough. Russell is the seventh SU commit in the class from the Sunshine State. He is the third-highest-rated Syracuse commit (0.9735), per 247Sports Composite, since Howard in 2000.

Walt Frazier, defensive lineman, committed June 30

Walt Frazier becomes SU’s sixth commit from Pennsylvania in the 2026 class and its fifth commit with at least an 88 grade, according to 247Sports. The three-star took an official visit to Syracuse on June 6, while also visiting UConn and Kentucky.

Frazier is the Orange’s 25th commit in the class and bolsters their defense, joining four-star prospect Rodgers on the defensive line. As a junior at The Haverford School, Frazier posted 44 total tackles and seven tackles for loss.

Ibn Muhammad, defensive back, committed June 24

One day after losing a defensive back in Jaxson Gates, defensive back Ibn Muhammad committed to Syracuse’s 2026 class. Muhammad is the third SU commit of the class from New Jersey, joining Gemaus Sackie and his Camden High School teammate Jojo White.

The three-star recruit received 11 offers and picked the Orange over Temple, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. His decision comes just one week after he made an official visit to SU.

Jaxson Gates, cornerback, decommitted June 23

Syracuse lost three-star cornerback Jaxson Gates from its haul after he decommitted on June 23. The California native originally chose the Orange in November 2024 and is currently ranked as a top-50 cornerback in the nation, per 247Sports.

Shay Barker, kicker, committed June 22

Kicker Shay Barker is the second special teams player to commit to SU’s 2026 class. He joins the class’ No. 1 punter Jimmy Gregg to bolster Syracuse’s special teams unit, which is led by coordinator Ricky Brumfield.

Barker is rated 4.5 stars by Kohl’s Kicking and picked up his lone offer from SU on June 11. He took an official visit to Syracuse on June 20 and pledged two days later. Barker is the fifth Pennsylvania native to commit to SU’s now-24 player class.

Chase Geter, cornerback, committed June 22

Chase Geter’s commitment bolsters Syracuse’s 2026 class as the fifth commit with at least an 88 grade, according to 247Sports. The three-star prospect is SU’s third Virginia native of the class and was a childhood friend of SU 2026 commit Tyrell Grant Jr.

Geter took an official visit to SU on June 13, the third of four visits he took. The 14th-ranked prospect from Virginia earned 27 offers and chose the Orange over Wisconsin, Duke and Virginia.

Carter Bashir, tight end, committed June 21

Syracuse picked up its first tight end of the 2026 class with Carter Bashir’s commitment. The 6-foot-5 target is ranked three-stars, according to Rivals, and took an official visit to SU on June 13.

Recruiting websites such as 247Sports suggested Bashir’s recruitment came down to Syracuse and Temple, the only schools he made official visits to. Ultimately, the Pennsylvania native chose the Orange over the Owls and offers from Boston College, South Carolina and Miami.

Tyrell Grant Jr., athlete, committed June 18

Syracuse landed another athlete, Tyrell Grant Jr. He’s SU’s second commit of the class with quarterback experience, while also playing safety, per his Hudl. The Virginia prospect pledged to the Orange two days after taking an official visit.

Grant Jr. is unranked, according to 247Sports, and received an offer at a Syracuse prospect camp on June 5. He chose SU, the only school he took an official visit to, over Cornell, Army and Navy.

Zikhere Leaks, athlete, committed June 17

Under Brown, SU has targeted versatile players and former track athletes. In Zikhere Leaks, the Orange are getting both. The Pennsylvania native brings experience at wide receiver and defensive back and holds a track record at Susquehanna Township High School, according to his social media biography.

The three-star prospect received seven offers and made two official visits. Leaks visited SU on June 6, followed by another to Connecticut on June 13 before choosing the Orange. He’s Syracuse’s third commit from Pennsylvania in the class and ranks as the 48th-best recruit in the state.

Kordae Houston, defensive lineman, committed June 16

Syracuse pulled off a surprising move by getting Kordae Houston to verbally commit. The three-star prospect had 18 offers before making an official visit to SU on June 13. The Orange gave him an offer during the trip, and he committed three days later.

Houston, a Dallas, Texas, native, is SU’s first commit in the class from west of the Mississippi River. Houston bolsters Syracuse’s 2026 defensive line group, pairing with Wilson in the trenches.

Jimmy Gregg, punter, committed June 16

One day after his official visit, Jimmy Gregg committed to Syracuse. Gregg is the fifth-ranked 2026 punter and is a five-star, according to Kohl’s Professional Camps. Other recruiting platforms such as 247Sports rate Gregg a three-star prospect and the No. 1 punter in the nation.

His commitment marks SU’s first special teams addition to the class. The Morgantown, West Virginia, native took official visits to West Virginia, NC State and Purdue before SU and also held offers from Marshall and Fairmont State.

Gemaus Sackie, linebacker, committed June 15

For the second time, Syracuse’s offer during an official visit led to a commitment in the ensuing days. Gemaus Sackie flew under the radar, as Syracuse was the only Power Four school to offer him.

The three-star recruit made his official visit to SU the same weekend as Charney and became the Orange’s second linebacker commit of its 2026 class. The New Jersey native is ranked the 80th-best linebacker in the class and also held offers from Maine, Monmouth, Stony Brook and Temple.

Brayden Charney, offensive tackle, committed June 9

It didn’t take long for Syracuse to win over Brayden Charney. The Florida native received an offer during his visit to SU the weekend of June 8, and committed on June 9. The Orange’s offer was his 12th.

Charney becomes SU’s sixth commit from Florida in the class, joining offensive linemen Cooper and Pickard. The three-star picked the Orange over schools like Temple, Florida Atlantic and James Madison.

Zaiden McDonald, defensive back, flipped to Stanford June 4

Syracuse lost three-star defensive back Zaiden McDonald from its haul after he flipped to Stanford on June 4. McDonald originally committed to the Orange on March 31 and is currently ranked as the 15th-best recruit in the 2026 class from New Jersey, per 247Sports.

Amare Gough, wide receiver, committed May 10

Syracuse’s highest-rated commit of its 2026 class is Amare Gough, who ranks 215th in the nation, per 247Sports, and ninth in Virginia. As a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School (Virginia) he produced 893 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He also plucked three interceptions defensively.

Gough is rated a four-star by 247Sports and On3. The Orange were the second team to offer him a scholarship, and he chose them over Virginia Tech, Maryland and Boston College.

He also runs track and field, clocking in at 6.49 in the 55-meter dash. Syracuse players Darrell Gill Jr., Malachi Coleman and Malachi James all currently compete on SU’s track team.

Shemaj Henry, offensive lineman, committed May 3

Syracuse quickly formed a relationship with Shemaj Henry. The Orange offered the offensive lineman a scholarship after he visited SU in March, marking his first offer. He then announced his commitment on X before his official visit.

Henry became Syracuse’s second commit from Pennsylvania. He is ranked a three-star and is the 39th-best player in his state, per 247Sports.

E’Shawn Sutton, athlete, committed March 31

Syracuse’s 10th verbal commitment of the 2026 class came from Winter Park, Florida athlete E’Shawn Sutton, contributing to SU’s presence in the Sunshine State. Sutton picked the Orange over Georgia Tech, Pitt and Wake Forest.

At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Sutton showcased his versatility in high school, appearing at running back, safety and nickel corner. He’s ranked the 80th-best athlete in the class, per 247Sports.

Kamron Wilson, defensive lineman, committed March 30

Kamron Wilson was the third four-star commit in SU’s class, as rated by 247 Sports’ Composite rankings, and is the only player in ESPN’s Top 300 2026 Rankings, sitting at 273rd. As a junior at Southridge High School (Florida) Wilson tallied 17 sacks and 118 total tackles in 15 games.

Wilson stands at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and was offered by 27 schools. The Miami, Florida native, was predicted to choose Florida State by 247Sports, but Wilson picked the Orange instead. Wilson’s other ACC offers included California, Virginia Tech, UNC, NC State and Georgia Tech.

Zaid Lott, quarterback, committed March 25

Zaid Lott gave Syracuse its first signal caller in its 2026 class. Brown and SU’s coaching staff helped flip Lott from North Carolina, where he had been committed since June 24, 2024.

Lott was originally committed to UNC under former head coach Mack Brown, who was fired on Nov. 26, 2024. After eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick was hired, he explored other options. Lott talked with Syracuse coaches and visited SU in March, prompting the three-star, per 247Sports, to commit to the Orange.

As a first-time starter as a junior at Providence Day School (North Carolina), Lott threw for 2,869 yards and 29 passing touchdowns.

Darnell Stokes Jr., athlete, committed March 22

One day after Sutton’s commitment, SU added another two-way recruit. Stokes Jr., the No. 3 recruit in Delaware, per 247Sports, plays both defensive back and wide receiver, similar to SU freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. Standing at 6-foot-2, Stokes Jr. is poised to bring height to SU’s pass catchers and secondary.

The three-star fielded offers from James Madison, Rutgers and West Virginia, but he chose Syracuse after visiting a spring practice.

Jarius Rodgers, edge rusher, committed Jan. 27

SU made a splash by garnering a verbal commitment from four-star Jarius Rodgers. The 24th-rated edge rusher in the class, per 247Sports, became SU’s top defensive commit of the class when he committed in January. Rodgers posted a stellar junior season for Fleming Island High School (Florida), recording nine sacks.

Rodgers fielded 26 offers, but SU beat Florida State, Central Florida and South Florida to land the Florida native.

Steven Pickard Jr., offensive lineman, committed Jan. 25

Syracuse bolstered its offensive line by landing Steven Pickard Jr. After starting his high school career in South Carolina, Pickard Jr. transferred to IMG Academy (Florida) and became a three-star recruit, per 247Sports. The 6-5, 300-pound lineman has boosted his skillset at Velocity Athlete Development, a training facility in Atlanta, Georgia, where he trained for 55 straight days last summer.

Now-SU general manager Thomas Caporale and Brown offered Pickard a spot while they were at a Syracuse men’s basketball game, and Pickard committed on the spot.

Phoenix Henriquez, wide receiver, committed Jan. 15

Phoenix Henriquez joined Garrett as the second Delaware native and second wide receiver to commit to SU’s 2026 class. As a junior at Smyrna High School (Delaware), he posted 11 touchdowns and 1,055 yards in 11 games.

Henriquez received offers from Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware before choosing the Orange. 247Sports rates Henriquez as a three-star and the seventh-best recruit in Delaware.

Jojo White, offensive lineman, committed Jan. 12

Syracuse leaned into its New Jersey connections to land interior offensive lineman Jojo White. The three-star recruit, per 247Sports, is from Camden, New Jersey, the same hometown as Brown.

He measures at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds and was originally given an offer by SU in June 2024. He’s ranked the 29th-best player from New Jersey in the 2026 class.

BJ Garrett, wide receiver, committed Jan. 10

BJ Garrett’s commitment kicked off a plethora of Delaware natives choosing SU. The wide receiver brings a long reach, standing at 6-foot-3. On3 ranked Garrett as a three-star and the fourth-best recruit in Delaware. He drew offers from Pittsburgh, Maryland and West Virginia but chose the Orange.

As a junior at Middletown High School (Delaware), he caught six touchdowns and led the Cavaliers to a state title. He attended SU’s win over Holy Cross on Sept. 28, 2024.

Javeion Cooper, offensive tackle, committed Dec. 10, 2024

Syracuse added its first Florida native to its 2026 class when Javeion Cooper committed in December 2024. Like Medley, Cooper also attended SU’s victory over Miami. He’s rated the 57th-best offensive tackle in the class, and when he committed, he was SU’s highest rated 2026 offensive commit.

Cooper, a four-star, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings, fielded 12 offers, including Florida State and Ole Miss. However, Syracuse’s location stood out, since his mother, Javara Thomas, is originally from Rochester, and Cooper has many cousins in central New York.

Maurice Medley, athlete, committed Dec. 2, 2024

The Orange returned to the East Coast for three-star athlete Maurice Medley. The Baltimore, Maryland, native committed to the Orange two days after attending SU’s upset win over Miami. Big Ten programs like Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State all offered Medley before he chose SU.

Medley can play multiple positions on defense. At St. Frances Academy (Maryland), he’s improved his pass-rushing technique. As a junior, he totaled 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and seven tackles for loss.

D’Antae Sheffey, running back, committed April 20, 2024

D’Antae Sheffey, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native, committed to Syracuse over offers from Wisconsin, Pitt and Rutgers. As one of the earliest commits in the 2026 recruiting cycle, Sheffey is a three-star and the 62nd-best running back in his class, per 247Sports.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound back has split his high school career between Harrisburg High School (Pennsylvania) and State College Area High School (Pennsylvania). Sheffey is following the footsteps of SU offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, a former standout at State College, as he attempts to surpass Nixon’s career rushing record.

Published on May 16, 2025 at 10:52 pm
Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32