Syracuse football, in recent years, has struggled on the field in numerous seasons, although third-year head coach Fran Brown is optimistic about the Orange's future prospects in the upcoming 2026 season and beyond.
The Orange has tallied a pair of 10-win seasons, in 2018 and 2024. Since 2010, the 'Cuse has made seven bowl games, winning five of them.
On the recruiting trail, Brown has undeniably upped the SU program's national relevance, as his 2024 and 2026 classes are the highest for the team in the modern recruiting services era. It's also possible that the squad's 2027 cycle could contend for the best on the Hill before all is said and done.
In the Orange's 10 most recent recruiting classes, from 2019 until 2028, SU has landed some highly rated commits. Of course, 'Cuse pledges in 2027 and 2028 are verbal commitments at this juncture, but still, Syracuse football is faring well under Brown with its recruiting efforts, not only along the Northeast corridor but also in hotbeds such as Florida.
Syracuse football's biggest recruiting wins over the past 10 cycles.
2028 Class, Omari Lawson
Four-star offensive tackle out of the Zarephath Academy in Jacksonville, Fla.
Verbally committed to SU in October 2025
Within his cycle, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Lawson ranks inside the top 125 nationally, according to both the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking.
2027 Class, Elijah Kimble
Four-star running back out of Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y.
Verbally committed to SU earlier this month (July 2026)
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Kimble, the Orange's highest-ranked pledge in its 2027 cycle, picked Syracuse football over scholarship offers from nearly 40 other college programs, including Indiana, which won this past season's College Football Playoff national championship.
2026 Class, Calvin Russell III
Five-star wide receiver out of Miami Northwestern Senior High School
While it's a bummer that the 6-foot-5, 195-pound Russell is currently injured, he is the Orange's highest-ranked signee in more than two decades; 247Sports, within the 2026 cycle, placed him at No. 31 overall, No. 3 at wide receiver and No. 3 in Florida.
2025 Class, Demetres Samuel Jr.
Four-star defensive back/wide receiver out of Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Fla.
Samuel's recruitment while in high school had some twists and turns, as he first pledged to the 'Cuse, flipped to the hometown Florida Gators, and then flipped back to SU. As a 17-year-old true freshman in 2025, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Samuel was one of the best freshmen around the country.
2024 Class, Kyle McCord
Four-star transfer quarterback out of the St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia
Brown's first season at the Orange's helm, in 2024, resulted in a 10-3 record and a bowl game victory. SU was able to achieve that in large part due to Syracuse football coaches landing the 6-foot-3, 218-pound McCord out of the portal, as he transferred to the 'Cuse from Ohio State. All he did in his lone campaign on the Hill was set Atlantic Coast Conference and Syracuse program single-season records in throwing for 4,779 yards, along with 34 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
2021 Class, Oronde Gadsden II
Three-star wide receiver out of the American Heritage Schools in Plantation, Fla.
While not highly ranked as a prep recruit, the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Gadsden put forth a tremendous career in Central New York after transitioning to a tight end. He was twice an All-ACC first-team performer. In 2024, Gadsden caught 73 passes for 934 yards and seven touchdowns; he was named to the Associated Press All-America third team. In the 2025 campaign, as a rookie for the Los Angeles Chargers, Gadsden hauled in 49 passes for 664 yards and three scores through the air.
2020 Class, Sean Tucker
Three-star running back out of Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Md.
Similar to Gadsden, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Tucker was not a highly rated player coming out of the Baltimore area. However, stars and rankings don't always tell the whole story. In 2021, Tucker was a first-team All-American as he shattered SU's single-season rushing mark, compiling 1,496 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. His total of 3,182 rushing yards for Syracuse football is No. 3 on the program's all-time list. At the pro level, Tucker has carved out a role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In three NFL seasons, he has a combined 651 rushing yards, nine touchdowns on the ground, 152 receiving yards and two scores through the air.
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