2026 WR Calvin Russell becomes 3rd 5-star commit in SU history
Calvin Russell is SU’s third five-star commit in over 20 years, following wide receiver Johnnie Morant and quarterback Cecil Howard. Photograph courtesy of @bearjordan84 on Instagram,.
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Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell has committed to Syracuse, he announced on social media Saturday, marking SU’s first five-star recruit in over 20 years. Russell’s commitment also propels SU’s 2026 class into the Top 25, according to 247Sports.
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Miami, Florida, native chose the Orange over Miami, Oregon, Michigan, Florida, LSU and North Carolina. His commitment is SU’s first five-star recruit since wide receiver Johnnie Morant and quarterback Cecil Howard in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
Russell, the third-best wide receiver and the 21st-ranked player in the country, is the 26th commit set to join Fran Brown’s squad in 2026.
Under former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at Miami Northwestern, Russell caught 35 passes for 645 yards and 13 total touchdowns en route to the Sunshine State 3A title. Before Bridgewater became the head coach of his alma mater in 2024, Russell split time at quarterback and wide receiver in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Russell is the seventh commit from Florida in SU’s 2026 class, joining Jarius Rodgers, Javeion Cooper and Brayden Charney, among others. He also holds an offer from Syracuse for basketball.
