Syracuse football might want to take a look at a talented FCS quarterback who plans to enter the transfer portal and competed for the same Florida-based high school as numerous Orange players and 'Cuse commits.
According to On3's Pete Nakos, Western Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens plans to enter the transfer portal. The portal window will be open, by the way, from January 2 to January 16.
NEW: Western Carolina QB Taron Dickens plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos reports.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) November 23, 2025
Dickens passed for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and 2 interceptions this season. https://t.co/7VOSMTa8VR pic.twitter.com/k4jyXuvhqt
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Dickens had a tremendous 2025 season. On Saturday, Western Carolina routed VMI on the road, 48-6. With that win, Western Carolina finished 7-5 overall, and Dickens broke the Southern Conference's single-season passing touchdown record.
In the 2025 campaign, per ESPN, Dickens has completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards with 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions. On the ground, he's carried the ball 97 times for 321 yards and one score.
Syracuse football's QB room in 2026 will likely be a lot different.
Dickens was a member of the 2023 recruiting class. Several recruiting services had him as a three-star prospect. Dickens attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School.
A couple of current Orange players went to Miami Northwestern; those suiting up for this powerhouse program in the 2025 term include Syracuse football verbal commits Calvin Russell lll, a five-star wide receiver, and Tedarius Hughes, a four-star defensive back.
These days, the Orange coaching staff is recruiting Miami Northwestern hard, and that extends to other high school programs in Florida. It remains to be seen if the 'Cuse would get involved with Dickens, but it's perhaps something to monitor.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli has said he will be back. He was having a fabulous 2025, leading the country in total passing yards before suffering a season-ending injury in the team's September win at Clemson.
Beyond Angeli, though, which other quarterbacks will return in 2026 is anybody's guess. Redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins, if I had to venture a guess, will transfer. Redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams hasn't played at all.
Freshmen Luke Carney and Joseph Filardi have each played some. Filardi has started two games. Fellow freshman Rich Belin has yet to see the field. I envision Carney returning. We'll have to see about everyone else.
My point here is that quarterback play this season, beyond Angeli, was poor. Maybe that will lead the Orange staff to look hard at a transfer such as Dickens.