A homecoming is forthcoming in 2026
Fran Brown has added an offensive lineman with local ties to the 2026 Syracuse Orange recruiting class.
Steven Pickard, a 6’5″, 305 lbs. IOL, announced his commitment to SU over the weekend:
Syracuse I’m coming back home! After a great visit and conversation with @FranBrownCuse I am extremely blessed and grateful to announce I have committed to play for my dream school pic.twitter.com/sKlZ1rWnap
— Steven Pickard Jr (@StevenPickard_2) January 26, 2025
Pickard is no stranger to Syracuse: he was born in the 315, his mother is a graduate of the SU College of Law, and he watched his first football game in the Carrier Dome.
Steven visited campus in September and came back again in November for the massive upset over No. 6 Miami. He just made a third visit on Saturday before making the news official that evening.
Though Pickard is not yet rated by the major recruiting sites, he received interest from many other Power programs including Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida, FSU, Maryland, NC State, Pitt, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Virginia.
His brother, a Class of 2028 lineman, was also an attendee in Coach Fran’s recent prospect camp:
Appreciate @CuseFootball and @Coach_2CAP for having me at the Future Franchise Day! It was great to meet @FranBrownCuse and the rest of the Orange coaching staff #FRANCHISE28 pic.twitter.com/N8tgoR82sk
— Michael Pickard (@MJPickard54) January 26, 2025
Steven’s commitment brings the Orange up to eight verbals in the Class of 2026. That group is currently rated No. 15 in the country, featuring composite four-star OL Javeion Copper and four three-stars.
After starting high school in Charleston, SC, Pickard enrolled in IMG Academy last year. Check out his junior film below.