Former Toledo LB Chris D’Appolonia joins Vince Kehres at Syracuse
Former Toledo linebacker Chris D’Appolonia spent the last three seasons playing under new SU defensive coordinator Vince Kehres. Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer
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Former Toledo linebacker Chris D’Appolonia has transferred to Syracuse, he announced Thursday morning. D’Appolonia spent the last three seasons playing under new SU defensive coordinator Vince Kehres.
HOME!🍊🍊@vkehres @FranBrownCuse
D.A.R.T pic.twitter.com/GpwFTaujdx— Chris Dappolonia (@Chris_Dapp05) January 8, 2026
A two-star prospect out of Harmony, Pennsylvania, D’Appolonia initially found a role with the Rockets on special teams. He appeared in all 12 games his freshman season in 2023 but redshirted his sophomore year after an injury.
D’Appolonia’s junior year this past season is when he established himself in Kehres’ defense. He ranked third on the squad in tackles with 68 total, accumulating 36 solo tackles and 3.5 for loss. Toledo’s defense ranked third in the country in yards allowed per game (254.3) and fifth in points per game (13.3).
D’Appolonia is the first former Rockets player to join Kehres with the Orange. Multiple prospects joined former Toledo head coach Jason Candle at UConn, while others chose schools like Rutgers and Iowa State over SU.
Syracuse’s linebacker unit now consists of D’Appolonia alongside Gary Bryant III, Antoine Deslauriers and Jamie Tremble off the edge. The Orange also added defensive tackle Jartavius Flounoy from Georgia State on Wednesday night.
