4 questions surrounding Syracuse football before 2026 season
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The last time Syracuse took the field, it left with an eighth straight defeat. Its season was lost once Steve Angeli landed awkwardly on his left leg and tore his Achilles tendon in SU’s Week 4 win over Clemson.
Now, Fran Brown and Co. can prove last year’s freefall was a fluke. They’ll do it with returning stars and several new faces.
Of course, Angeli will lead SU under center. Many of his weapons from last season departed, including six of Syracuse’s top seven receiving yards leaders and its best two rushers. Defensively, the Orange’s secondary might be their strongest unit, led by returners Demetres Samuel Jr. and Chris Peal, but their pass rush remains suspect.
Here are four questions surrounding SU before its 2026 season-opener Sept. 5 versus New Hampshire:
Will Angeli pick up where he left off?
Assessing last season’s regression, it’s safe to say Syracuse’s 2026 campaign likely hinges on Angeli again. The Notre Dame transfer ranked second nationally in passing yards and led SU to a 3-1 record after four games in 2025 before his season-ending injury.
Through the start of fall camp, Angeli’s emphasized he’s now “100% healthy.” He said he added about 10 pounds of muscle this offseason to “withstand the load of the season” and spent time with Syracuse’s defensive coaches to see how they attacked him in practice.
“I’m 100%, I’m back,” Angeli said on Aug. 7. “I just like to focus on 2026. 2025 is in the past. I’m healthy, I’m good to go, so really just looking forward to getting back out there.”
Steve Angeli participates in a drill during Syracuse’s Aug. 17 preseason practice. Angeli led the Orange to a 3-1 record in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury. Madison Cox | Staff Photographer
If Angeli picks up where he left off, SU is in a good spot. In all four games he played, including against strong programs like then-No. 24 Tennessee and Clemson, Angeli looked like one of the country’s best quarterbacks. But after his injury, the Orange never mustered 20 points again.
To cover his bases, Brown snagged quarterbacks like Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom, UTEP’s Malachi Nelson and Georgetown’s Danny Lauter. But make no mistake, if the Orange rebound, Angeli will be the catalyst.
“We got some other guys (that are) trying to push him, so they’re gonna get out there,” Brown said. “I think they’re gonna bring the best out of Steve or move in front of him. You’re gonna see a better Steve Angeli than you saw last year.”
Who will step up in Syracuse’s WR corps?
What’s a quarterback without someone to throw to? Syracuse’s newest position group might be its wide receiver room.
In the offseason, SU’s top pass catchers Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr. darted to Ole Miss while promising redshirt freshman Emanuel Ross transferred to UConn. Justus Ross-Simmons looked primed to join them, but he’s reportedly returning to Syracuse upon receiving an extra year of eligibility.
Ross-Simmons’ return is welcome, but Brown didn’t bet on it. He snagged players like Cole Weaver from Miami (Ohio), Elijah Moore from Florida State and Matt Outten from Penn State to pair with returners Umari Hatcher, Tyshawn Russell, Darius Johnson and Darien Williams. Five-star freshman Calvin Russell remained committed to SU, though he’ll likely miss most of the year with a torn Achilles.
Everyone in camp has lauded the group’s play, including Angeli and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis. They’ve acknowledged it’s an open competition for snaps, but Hatcher said they’re still “the closest group in the facility.”
“When you look at the room, I really do think we’ve got eight or nine guys that could go out there and play for us Game 1,” Gattis said. “I’m used to having about four or five.”
Still, the group is largely unproven. Outten didn’t appear with PSU last year, and Moore compiled 69 yards across the past two seasons. Hatcher and Ross-Simmons, the group’s veterans, have both dealt with injuries amid promising seasons with SU. It’s up to them to ensure Angeli has open targets.
Will SU’s pass rush improve?
Syracuse’s pass rush was one of its weakest units last year. The Orange placed 14th of 17 Atlantic Coast Conference teams with 20 sacks while accumulating 21 quarterback hurries. To make matters worse, their sack leader — Kevin Jobity Jr. (five) — headed to the NFL.
SU needs a boost from the group in 2026, which would make Samuel and Peal more effective in coverage.
New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres should help. He’s optimistic Syracuse will have a consistent pass rush and pegged players like senior David Omopariola, UNLV transfer Tunmise Adeleye and UT-Martin transfer Keyshawn Johnson as those who can step up.
Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. also pointed out Nissi Ogbebor, Dillan Fontus and Rashard Perry, who can create interior pressure. He said they remind him of players he’s coached who became first-round NFL draft picks with long pro careers.
“The defensive line, I think we got a little bit bigger, we got a little bit more depth. We could stay healthy in that position,” Brown said in his season-opening press conference. “I feel like sometimes (last year) there were guys that didn’t have enough (of) a guy in the back of them that he knew could push them. Let me stop that. We just got more depth, and we’re ready to go.”
Kehres said he’s emphasizing strip attempts in practice, which extends to the secondary but should also help SU’s front seven. The Orange forced six fumbles last year, tied for the second-fewest in the ACC, and none were by a defensive lineman.
“We might not get the ball out, but we’re attempting to strip at it,” Kehres said. “That’s some points on the production chart in practice. Playing with great effort, getting more people in the area of the ball, you would hope that will result in some more takeaways.”
Can SU’s O-line live up to Brown’s praise?
When Brown spoke at the start of camp, he said Syracuse’s offensive line was a position to watch. Under O-line coach Juan Castillo, who has almost 30 years of NFL experience, Brown said the Orange’s linemen have “outworked everybody on the team.”
“I think our O-Line will make the whole team better,” Brown said. “They’re leaders on the field. Quarterback’s of course, naturally (going to) be the guy, but I think Coach Juan and that offensive line, they’re gonna run the team.”
Last year, the Orange mostly rocked with an offensive line of Trevion Mack, TJ Ferguson, Austin Collins, Joe Cruz and Da’Metrius Weatherspoon. Only Mack, SU’s starting left tackle, and Cruz, who rotated with Byron Washington at right guard, remain.
Syracuse’s offensive line sets up during SU’s win over Colgate on Sept. 12, 2025. Head coach Fran Brown said the Orange’s linemen have “outworked everybody on the team.” Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
Naquil Betrand, Zach Rice, Kam Pringle and Washington appear to be early candidates to start after serving as backups in 2025. But with the influx of new bodies protecting Angeli, the question remains — how effective will they be?
Brown is certainly confident in them. He said Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins, a nine-year NFL veteran who Brown and Castillo have coached, has attended Syracuse practices, helping answer players’ questions. If any of Dawkins’ knowledge rubs off on the Orange’s linemen, that’s a bonus.
Castillo also works with each lineman for 20-30 minutes every day to refine their skills, offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon said. Only time will tell if that pays off.
“They walk around with a different swagger about themselves, the same way Juan does, and it’s humble confidence,” Brown said. “They understand and know where they’re getting accounted for, but they’re confident because they put the work in.”
