Former Syracuse football 2025 five-star priority target Javion Hilson, an elite edge during his high school days in Florida, plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens early next month, according to recruiting services. The portal will be open from January 2 to January 16.
Might the Orange staff make another run at the freshman defensive end who suited up in the 2025 season at Southeastern Conference school Missouri? That remains to be seen, but I'd love for the 'Cuse to pursue the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Hilson.
For the Tigers in 2025, he appeared in three games, preserving his redshirt. Hilson collected one total tackle. Missouri is 8-4 overall and will face fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school and No. 19 Virginia in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on December 27 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Former Syracuse football 5-star edge recruit Javion Hilson, a Missouri freshman, plans to transfer.
Hilson was a standout prep prospect in the 2025 class out of Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Fla. He helped Cocoa to multiple state titles during his high school career. As a senior, Hilson registered 52 solo tackles, 86 total tackles, 30.0 tackles for a loss, 18.0 sacks, 77 quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, according to MaxPreps.
In early November of 2024, he took an official visit to the Orange that went well. At that time, Hilson had a top four of Syracuse football, Texas, Texas A&M and Pittsburgh, according to Rivals. But Hilson ultimately committed to Missouri.
Had a great visit at @CuseFootball @CoachNickWill @FranBrownCuse @Coach_2CAP @Coach_E_Rob @Cocoa_Schneider @J55FoFo @OfficialAthlete @mdiesel321 pic.twitter.com/prBvBIj9GI
— Javion Hilson (@javion_hilson) November 4, 2024
Within the 2025 class, Rivals rated him five stars, No. 17 overall, No. 1 at edge and No. 3 in Florida. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking had him in the top 55 nationally.
In its national transfer rankings, 247Sports places Hilson as three stars, No. 108 overall and No. 8 at edge. In On3's national transfer rankings, he is four stars, No. 35 nationally and No. 6 at edge.
This past season, when the Orange went 3-9 overall, the 'Cuse struggled on defense. Syracuse football allowed 174.9 yards per game on the ground, which was next-to-last in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Orange has a pair of four-star edge rushers in its record-breaking 2026 high school class - Jarius Rodgers and Kamron Wilson, who both play in Florida, where the 'Cuse staff has fared quite well on the recruiting front.
Syracuse football has a new edges coach for the 2026 campaign, Jeremy Hawkins, who most recently was the defensive line coach and assistant head coach at Georgia State.
For what it's worth, on X, Hilson is followed by Orange coaches such as Hawkins, Stack Williams, Emmanuel Marc, Ryan Barry, Tony Giovagnoli, Tyshon Fogg, Dennis Thomas, general manager Tommy Caporale, Aaron Mannicci and Nitron Stork.