Syracuse football 2026 verbal commit Calvin Russell lll, a five-star wide receiver and state champ from the Sunshine State, is expected to be in attendance at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday afternoon as the Orange hosts Duke, a source confirmed to me late Friday night.
Mike McAllister of 247Sports reported this news first, but his article was a VIP story, so I wasn't going to note Russell's visit to the Hill until I had separte confirmation.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Russell verbally committed to the 'Cuse in early July over other finalists Florida State, Michigan and Oregon. Some analysts continue to maintain that Russell is on flip watch, but I think that's a bunch of nonsense.
Russell, to be fair, has visited the Miami Hurricanes on several occasions during the 2025 season, but one of his best friends plays for the 'Canes, and he's also from Miami. Candidly, I'm not worried, because Russell and his family are extremely close with Orange head coach Fran Brown.
Syracuse football has a flood of high school players on campus in week five.
Russell, a top-25 national prospect per 247Sports, is a standout senior at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, which won a state title last year. In 2025 thus far, the Bulls are 4-1, according to MaxPreps.
On Saturday afternoon, many Syracuse football verbal commits and recruiting targets will be in Central New York to, hopefully, watch the 'Cuse pound the Blue Devils, according to media reports and social media posts.
At this juncture, Syracuse football has 29 verbal pledges in a 2026 class that is No. 26 nationwide, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. Russell is the only five-star prospect, while several others are ranked four stars by at least one recruiting service.
Russell, the highest-ranked Syracuse football commit in more than two decades, has visited the Orange in the past, by the way. He is also expected to suit up for Syracuse basketball, at least initially, I've reported in the past.
Speaking of Syracuse basketball, 2026 five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. from New York City is officially visiting the program this weekend, as I first reported over the summer. Vaughn Karvala, a 2026 four-star wing/small forward from Wisconsin, was to officially visit the 'Cuse this weekend as well, but a source told me a few days ago that he's working on a new date with the Orange staff.
Syracuse fans: If you see Deron and Calvin on campus today, show them a ton of love. They are elite high school players.