As Syracuse football enters its 2026 season opener this Saturday afternoon against first-time non-conference foe New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome, head coach Fran Brown says his roster is healthy, save for a few players, and he's excited for the upcoming campaign to begin.
The Orange's projected two-deep depth chart for its season opener was released on Monday, with a few surprises. Brown stressed that the depth chart could change throughout the week as the 'Cuse conducts practices.
At running back, the starter is listed as either sophomore Tylik Hill or sophomore Matthew Outten, a transfer from Penn State who also plays wide receiver. The backup listed at RB for the Orange is freshman Shavane Anderson Jr.
Junior Ju'Juan Johnson and senior Ahmad Miller, both transfers, were thought by some to be SU's top two running backs in 2026. Brown said at his weekly press conference on Monday that Johnson should be ready to go by the end of the week, but due to an injury, he's not expected to play on Saturday. Miller will likely play against New Hampshire.
Brown says that virtually everyone on the roster should be available to play in the season opener, other than guys such as freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III, sophomore wide receiver Terrell Wilfong and sophomore offensive lineman D'Joni Scatliffe. All their injuries were previously known.
On Monday's initial depth chart, fifth-year linebacker Gary Bryant III and senior wide receiver Tyshawn Russell are not listed. Brown says that Bryant recently had fluid drained out of one of his knees, while Russell is dealing with a minor ankle injury. Both were expected to practice on Monday and should be available on Saturday, Brown said.
Fran Brown is ready for Syracuse football's 2026 season to get underway.
Brown says he's not paying attention to what national and Atlantic Coast Conference observers are prognosticating about the 'Cuse in 2025 (the ACC's preseason media poll forecasts SU to finish at No. 14 in a 17-member conference for football).
Rather, his focus is on what's going on inside the John A. Lally Athletics Complex among Syracuse football players, coaches and other support staff. "We're playing for something greater than ourselves," Brown says.
Much will center on fifth-year quarterback Steve Angeli, who was leading the country in total passing yards last year before getting injured in the team's win at Clemson. That victory pushed Syracuse to 3-1, but with Angeli out, the Orange would lose eight straight games to finish at 3-9.
Given that the 'Cuse is a massive betting favorite against New Hampshire, some think that backup quarterbacks will likely see action for SU on Saturday afternoon. Brown says it's still a competition this week as to who will be No. 2 behind Angeli, whether senior Amari Odom or fellow senior Malachi Nelson.
While Brown says he's "praying" that Angeli will be fully healthy throughout the entire 2026 season, the Orange head coach acknowledges that Angeli's backups, if called on to play, can "keep the train rolling."
Fifth-year wide receiver and Rochester, N.Y., native Justus Ross-Simmons is practicing with the team and is currently eligible amid all the legal battles taking place around the country at the federal and state levels. Brown says he's hopeful that Ross-Simmons will be able to play this season, while noting that the wide receiver is working toward finishing his degree at SU. "I got faith in the NCAA," Brown says. "We'll continue to work Justus in as we see fit."
New Hampshire lost its 2026 season opener this past weekend, and Brown says he expects the Wildcats to come out swinging, so to speak, on Saturday. "They will try to establish the run ... and will play extremely hard," Brown said, adding that he's excited for the 'Cuse to face adversity early on to see how his roster responds.
One player who is sure to jazz up the fan base this season is sophomore Demetres Samuel Jr., a starting cornerback who also plays wide receiver and is listed as the starting punt returner. Samuel has done some "outstanding" things in preseason practices, Brown says.
Speaking of special teams, the Orange has junior Tripp Woody listed as the starting kicker and freshman Jimmy Gregg, an All-American as a senior in high school, listed as the starting punter. Brown says that the special teams unit has worked hard in practices, which will help it be ready for the 2026 season opener.
By and large, Brown is pleased with the progress of all his position groups on both sides of the field. He's also praising his assistant coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Vince Kehres and many others, such as Stack Williams and Dre Kates.
For the 'Cuse to contend for a bowl game in 2026, the defense will have to vastly improve from last year. Brown says that he wants his defense to have fun, play together, "over-communicate," fly around and hit people.
"I'm happy with where the brotherhood is at with this team," Brown says, noting that his players genuinely and truly care about each other. That kind of bond and closeness can only help Syracuse on the field this coming campaign.
Last but certainly not least, Brown was asked about former Orange record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord, who was excellent in the NFL preseason for the Green Bay Packers and, on Sunday, was traded to Miami to be the Dolphins' No. 2 signal-caller in the 2026-27 season.
Brown says that he envisions McCord being the starter in Miami soon. "Kyle is the epitome of an underdog doing well," Brown added.
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