Syracuse WR Justus Ross-Simmons reportedly returning for 2026 season
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UPDATE: This story was updated at 8:40 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2026.
Syracuse wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons is returning to Syracuse for the 2026 season, On3’s Pete Nakos first reported Friday.
Ross-Simmons was officially cleared to rejoin the Orange’s squad on Monday and will participate in the team’s practice Tuesday, a team spokesperson told Syracuse.com Monday.
The move comes after some class of 2022 recruits were granted an extra year of eligibility through a court ruling in Colorado. The injunction is not final, but if it holds, Ross-Simmons would be eligible for SU’s 2026 campaign.
Ross-Simmons spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Syracuse after transferring from Colorado State. His time with the Orange was riddled with injuries but showed promise. Ross-Simmons featured in 18 games with SU, hauling in 29 passes for 514 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3 wideout previously began NFL training after a high-ankle sprain limited his 2025 season to eight games. Since Ross-Simmons didn’t sign any professional contract, he was eligible through the injunction.
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown said in an Aug. 4 press conference that he was “really comfortable” with his current roster and didn’t plan to add players who may be available through the injunction.
Had Ross-Simmons left, the Orange would’ve lost their seven leading receivers from 2025. Ross-Simmons, who ranked fourth on SU in receiving yards and tied for first in touchdowns, grants much-needed familiarity to a younger receiver room.
Ross-Simmons and the Orange look to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2025 season. Syracuse went 3-9, featuring eight straight losses after starting quarterback Steve Angeli tore his Achilles. Ross-Simmons missed four games during the losing streak.
