Recruits remain impressed by Syracuse despite loss to Cal
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During Syracuse football’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener against California, over a dozen recruits across the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes saw SU’s stars make big plays on both sides of the ball. The Orange offense racked up 437 total yards to the Golden Bears’ 249 and scored two touchdowns, but quarterback Steve Angeli’s three interceptions, along with 15 penalties, ultimately doomed SU in a 21-18 loss.
Despite the loss, the contest was a win on the recruiting front for SU. Many of the prospects who visited connected with SU coaches and were impressed with how the team fought through adversity.
“For my first-ever game visit, it’s one that I’m definitely going to remember forever,” 2028 athlete Samuel Furr IV said.
Here are some takeaways from recruits who attended Syracuse’s Week 2 matchup against Cal.
SU handles adversity
Recruits paid close attention to how Syracuse’s coaching staff and players responded when things went south.
Class of 2028 athlete TJ Maddox said he enjoyed seeing SU’s coaches work to keep players calm and in sync after a rough sequence. This was evident after the Orange had an illegal substitution penalty and then surrendered a go-ahead touchdown moments later in the third quarter. The touchdown gave Cal its first lead at 14-12.
“Nobody pointed fingers or blamed anybody on the sideline,” Furr said. “Everyone was just like, ‘Okay, let’s go score. Let’s go get this back on defense.”
Despite losing, Syracuse’s coaching staff also didn’t let emotion impact its discussions with recruits after the game.
“Some coaches don’t feel like talking to anybody because they lost, but those coaches sat down with us, ate with us, talked to us about how we felt about the game,” Maddox said. “I was able to ask every question that I needed to, and they sat there and listened to everything I had to say.”
Class of 2028 long snapper Shane Sullivan poses with Syracuse long snapper Tim Schwerha. Sullivan said the Dome was the loudest stadium atmosphere he’d ever seen in person. Courtesy of Shane Sullivan
Dome atmosphere
Syracuse’s clash with Cal was the first time some recruits experienced the JMA Wireless Dome’s energy on a football game day.
2028 long snapper Shane Sullivan said the Dome was the loudest stadium he’d ever attended, surpassing venues like Gillette Stadium and Highmark Stadium he’d visited during his childhood. The visit showed him “how big of a deal football was to Syracuse.” 2028 athlete Marques Harris also said soaking in the Dome’s atmosphere for the first time was one of the main highlights of his visit.
For Maddox, the Dome’s energy wasn’t anything new. The New Jersey prospect attended Syracuse’s 27-20 overtime come-from-behind win over UConn in 2025, and said he enjoyed experiencing that same crowd again during another down-to-the-wire contest Saturday.
Star players, big plays
The Orange weren’t at their best against Cal, but many recruits said they were still impressed by certain players and position groups.
Maddox, who has played both wide receiver and defensive back in high school, paid close attention to how players like defensive back Nazir Ward and tight end Daunte Bacheyie carried themselves, and was especially impressed by the latter’s touchdown grab.
Harris, another athlete capable of playing on both sides of the ball, focused on watching Syracuse linebackers Antoine Deslauriers and Chris D’Appolonia. He said what stood out most was the aggressiveness of both players immediately after the snap.
Listed as an interior offensive lineman by 247Sports, Furr said he mainly focused on how Syracuse’s offensive line worked to protect Angeli. He said the unit’s sheer size — specifically 6-foot-7, 385-pound lineman Byron Washington — impressed him most.
SU’s special teams, which pulled off a fake punt early in the game off a jump pass by punter Jimmy Gregg, also caught some attention Saturday.
“(Special teams coordinator) Alex Bayer was a really good coach to talk to,” Sullivan said. “He’s definitely someone who I would love to play for. I can see why they have such a successful special teams room and why their special teams have been so successful.”
Class of 2028 offensive lineman Samuel Furr IV poses with SU wide receiver Terrell Wilfong. Furr and Wilfong both attended West Orange High School in New Jersey. Courtesy of Samuel Furr IV
Catching up with SU coaches and players
Before and after SU’s ACC opener, recruits met Syracuse coaches and players for the first time and reconnected with those they already knew.
Furr caught up with Syracuse offensive line coach Juan Castillo, who he already formed a strong bond with during the program’s camp in June. Castillo praised him for how much muscle he gained since they last saw each other, which Furr said meant a lot coming from a coach of his pedigree. Furr also spoke with SU wide receiver Terrell Wilfong, who attended the same high school as him — West Orange (New Jersey) — before joining the Orange.
Like Furr, Sullivan reunited with SU personnel he met earlier this year. He got his first look at Syracuse’s practice facilities during his summer camp experience, where he met Bayer along with long snappers Fran Brown Jr. and Tim Schwerha. Sullivan said Brown Jr. offered him good advice during his visit about navigating his transfer from St. John’s High School (Massachusetts) to Cheshire Academy (Connecticut).
Sullivan had ties to central New York long before his first visit to SU. He grew up visiting his grandmother upstate, and his father is from Buffalo. Sullivan also watched plenty of Syracuse basketball throughout his childhood, which placed SU in the back of his mind at a young age.
“Syracuse is definitely at the top of my list for sure, especially after this visit because I didn’t get to see the academic side of the campus last time,” Sullivan said.
As the season continues, head coach Fran Brown and his staff will keep welcoming recruits to games as the program puts the finishing touches on its 2027 class and looks to land commitments from 2028 and 2029 athletes.
