Some early thoughts on the incoming Orange
The Syracuse Orange football team began building for next season and beyond yesterday as recruits officially became commitments on Early Signing Day. Here are some of our thoughts on the class so far:
Which players do you anticipate see significant playing time in 2025?
Kevin: Julian McFadden at WR and on defense Demetres Samuel, Jr. and Kalib Singleton at defensive back. Both positions are likely to see a lot of attrition and this year showed that young players can find their way onto the field early. I think Singleton has a good chance to break camp as a back-up corner, which means plenty of snaps in passing situations (more on Samuel below). McFadden could emerge as a slot receiver next year as we saw plenty of players get targets this fall.
Christian: It’ll please fans to know that I’m choosing two New York recruits for this. Darien Williams and Quante Gillians could break in quickly. We’ve already seen that Fran Brown is willing to play freshmen, especially at the positions of wide receiver and defensive line, the positions that those two play. Williams seems to have explosive play potential. With how much Brown and Elijah Robinson rotate on the defensive line, there’s all the potential that Gillians could work his way back into the rotation.
Mike: I’m with Kevin on the defensive side. The SU secondary had some holes this season and with Alijah Clark soon out of eligibility, they’ll need some kind of assistance from their two highest-rated recruits of the class. Offensively 6’3” Terrell Wilfong interests me as someone with length to help offset Oronde Gadsden and Jackson Meeks departing.
Dom: Syracuse’s elite passing attack this season partly came from having a legit quarterback who could throw, but it also needed reliability and depth at receiver. Considering his reputation and potential, McFadden and Darien Williams will have critical ones down the road if that is to keep up. Defensively, passing coverage and open-field tackling needed the most improvement, so pretty much anyone recruited to play safety or cornerback I’m going to keep my eye on.
Which players fulfill the biggest anticipated need next season?
Kevin: Demetres Samuel, Jr. is the highest rated player in the class and one who could end up as a starter at safety right away. The Orange could lose both starters from this year and Samuel should be competing for one of them. Quante Gillians was the top NY player in the class and he’s going to get thrown right into the defensive line mix.
Christian: Looking at the seniors leaving, it’s hard to not say safety or linebacker. Kevin took the obvious option in Samuel. I wouldn’t sleep on Antoine Deslauriers. The Canadian went to Georgia and was a team captain, state champion, and all-state selection. And did you see how jacked he is? That’s a man who will dominate in the weight room, exactly what Fran wants.
Mike: Big men are the way to go here. Barring a transfer, Deslauriers may be your best bet as the Mike – trial by fire sure, but again, look at the man. Gillians already clocks in at 280 and I see Fran pairing him with KingJoseph Edwards on the edges. It’d be a huge bonus if any of the rookies can compete for offensive line spots too; there’s a large exodus in that group this offseason.
Dom: Samuel is the obvious pick, but Syracuse can never have too much depth at defensive back or in coverage, so Singleton feels like the right pick here to hopefully play meaningful minutes right away.
Which players will end up out-performing recruiting expectations during their career?
Kevin: This is speculating that the Orange keep a similar offensive game plan moving forward, but you have to like the opportunity for Daunte Bacheyie and Wyatt Bowman at the hybrid WR/TE position. On defense, I’m going with Rayshon Andrews. He didn’t have many P4 offers but an athletic 6’4” corner could end up being a steal.
Christian: I’m surprised Kevin didn’t go with Virginia track star and running back Malachi Coleman. His school record for rushing yards is not the only record he holds. Coleman also holds school records in the 55-meter dash, 55 and 110-meter hurdles, and 4×200-meter dash. You can’t teach that speed.
Mike: It may seem like Bacheyie is blocked a bit by Jamie Tremble but from covering a few CBA games he has great ball tracking and is someone to turn to for possession catches. I’ll also show some love to the newest members of #CanadasCollegeTeam and say DLs Nathan Nyandoro and Nissi Ogbebor have something else you can’t teach – size – and are exactly what you want to be batting down passes.
Dom: Going to go with a wildcard pick here and take three-star defensive lineman Eric Thomas (he is from Miami, but I promise that is not why I picked him). He had offers from several schools know for building defensive juggernauts especially at the line of scrimmage (namely, South Carolina). Weighing 325 lbs. and standing over six-foot-four, Thomas could easily be a force in the middle pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
What position group should be the focus in the transfer portal heading into 2025?
Kevin: Well I assume everyone will say quarterback and rightfully so, but if I had to pick another position it’s defensive line. I’d like to see the Orange add an experienced end who can hold up against the run.
Christian: Kevin hit the nail on the head. We saw what happened with Kyle McCord at the helm of the Orange offense. I’m not confident that a quarterback on the roster right now can even get remotely close to that same type of effect on and off the field. And I might actually lose it if I witness more Syracuse defenses fail to show any type of edge contain against outside rushes.
Mike: QB is the obvious pick, and I expect it to be another one-year addition while Jakhari Williams and Luke Carney develop. You can never have too many offensive lineman, so there’s that too. I would really like a veteran safety as well – don’t think you can go into camp with Duce as the leader of your secondary.
Dom: There are plenty of spots that need to be filled, but I think you do need to go with quarterback here. Regardless of the team, in most cases, you’re only as good as the ceiling of your QB. Even if the next guy “isn’t as good” as McCord was in 2024, the drop off just needs to be not too insane. Honorable mention pick: Syracuse desperately needs to put more pressure in the pocket, but I’d also like to see another quality linebacker considering how thin that position was at one point this season.
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What are your thoughts on the class so far?