Former Syracuse LB Derek McDonald commits to North Carolina
Former Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald has committed to North Carolina, according to On3. McDonald appeared in 39 games across four seasons with the Orange. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Former Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald has committed to North Carolina, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported Saturday. McDonald recorded 173 tackles in 39 appearances across his four seasons at SU.
McDonald entered the portal on Dec. 9 following a disappointing season with the Orange. He lost his starting middle linebacker spot to freshman Antoine Deslauriers in SU’s season opener against Tennessee. From there, he only appeared in three more games before undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Even with his limited impact, McDonald was a veteran presence for Syracuse’s defense, despite its shortcomings this season.
Coming out of Marist High School in Atlanta, Georgia, McDonald was a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports. Though he was initially the 90th-best tight end recruit in the country, McDonald switched to linebacker when he arrived at Syracuse.
McDonald redshirted as a freshman. In 2022, he appeared in nine games, prior to his role increasing in his next two seasons. He played 13 games in both of the subsequent two campaigns, making 67 tackles in 2023 and 55 in 2024. But as his time went on with Syracuse, McDonald’s role diminished.
McDonald’s departure leaves Syracuse with Deslauriers and Gary Bryant III at linebacker. Deslauriers made On3’s Freshman All-American Team, but Bryant — much like the rest of the Orange’s defense — struggled in 2025. Syracuse has yet to add an off ball linebacker this offseason, but did land a commitment from edge rusher Keyshawn Johnson Friday.
