SU wideout Calvin Russell III expected to debut against UConn Oct. 3
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Syracuse wide receiver Calvin Russell III is expected to make his Orange football debut on Oct. 3 against UConn, head coach Fran Brown announced on his radio show Tuesday night. Russell — who also played guard for SU’s men’s basketball team last year — tore his Achilles during a spring practice on March 30.
“I know for sure he’ll be cleared in regard to playing the first game of October,” Brown said on “The Fran Brown Show,” which airs on TK99. “Can’t wait to get him out there. In the same sense, you want to make sure he can protect himself.”
Russell is listed as doubtful for Syracuse’s matchup with Pitt Thursday night, per the Atlantic Coast Conference availability report. SU then has a bye week before facing the Huskies on the road.
At 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Russell ranked 31st nationally and was the third-best 2026 receiver, per 247Sports. When he chose Syracuse over Miami and Michigan in July 2025, he became SU’s third five-star commit in program history.
Russell appeared in one game for the Orange’s men’s basketball team in 2026-27. The freshman scored three points in two minutes against NC State on Jan. 27. Two months later on the gridiron, he got injured.
On Sept. 7, two days after Syracuse’s season-opening blowout of New Hampshire, Brown said Russell would return “in the next few weeks.” He suited up for SU’s loss to Cal but was ruled out moments before kickoff. Now, a date is set for Russell’s long-awaited debut.
