As Syracuse football's training camp begins, key storylines to monitor ahead of 2026 season

Syracuse football is one month out from its 2026 season, when the Orange will host New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome. The summer is certainly flying by!

Wednesday also marks the start of the program's preseason training camp. A day earlier, as players reported to camp, head coach Fran Brown held a press conference and touched on a variety of topics. You can read more about Brown's comments here.

The 'Cuse looks to rebound from a 3-9 overall record in 2025. National and Atlantic Coast Conference pundits aren't super high on the Orange, with the ACC's preseason media poll projecting SU to finish at No. 14 in the 17-member conference for football. Still, some college football experts believe that Syracuse can contend for a bowl game in Brown's third season at the team's helm.

Here are key storylines to monitor as Syracuse football's preseason camp gets underway.

New assistants galore
Following the Orange's rough 2025 campaign, there was a lot of movement with the assistant coaching staff. Brown has said multiple times lately that he believes he's got the right staff in place to succeed in 2026 and beyond. Notable new additions to track include defensive coordinator Vince Kehres, special teams coordinator Alex Bayer, defensive line coach John Scott Jr., offensive line coach Juan Castillo, defensive backs coach Perry Eliano, edges coach Jeremy Hawkins and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan, among others.

Quarterback room
Redshirt senior Steve Angeli is fully healthy, both he and Brown have stated, which is encouraging, since after he went down in SU's win at Clemson last year, the 'Cuse fell apart (although Syracuse had other issues in 2025 beyond quarterback play). The Orange appears to have better depth at QB in 2026, although if Angeli is unable to suit up for whatever reason, who is the primary backup, and how will he perform? Brown has spoken highly of transfers Amari Odom, Malachi Nelson and Danny Lauter.

The lines of scrimmage
It's no secret that the 'Cuse struggled on the offensive and defensive lines last year. Brown says that he believes both the OL and the DL have more depth in 2026. The Orange needs a stronger offensive line to protect Angeli in the pocket, while also paving the way for an efficient rushing attack. On the other side of the field, the 'Cuse needs its defensive tackles and edge rushers to put more pressure on opponents' quarterbacks while containing foes' ground games. Who will be the offensive and defensive linemen that Brown and his staff will primarily rely on to control the lines of scrimmage?

Skill positions on offense
There are a lot of unknowns right now about which running backs, wide receivers and tight ends will be penciled in as starters and key reserves when the 2026 campaign officially gets going. At running back, keep an eye on transfers Ahmad Miller and Ju'Juan Johnson, along with returnees Tylik Hill and Malachi Coleman. The wide receiver room has loads of depth, even with five-star freshman Calvin Russell III currently rehabbing an injury. Who will step up at WR remains to be seen, but this position group features numerous returnees, college transfers and incoming freshmen.

Other position groups on defense
New DC Kehres has some talent to utilize in his defensive system, that's for sure. We've mentioned the defensive line, but let's briefly talk about the linebackers and the secondary. Linebacker Antoine Deslauriers was a freshman All-American, and I'm high on transfer Chris D'Appolonia. The 'Cuse has one of the country's top cornerback tandems in Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr., who is also expected to see time at wide receiver. However, I'll be monitoring how the rest of the secondary performs, in terms of the nickels and safeties.

Special teams
I feel like the special teams unit is flying under the radar, but this group will be important in 2026 under new coordinator Bayer. Punter Jimmy Gregg was a first-team All-American as a senior in high school. Placekicker Tripp Woody, a redshirt sophomore, returns. Incoming freshman placekicker Shay Barker was a top-10 prospect at his position in the 2026 class.

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