Syracuse football coaches continue to build an impressive 2026 class, and the Orange staff keeps faring well with its recruiting efforts in the Sunshine State.
On Monday, media reports stated that 2026 four-star edge Jarius Rodgers had verbally committed to the 'Cuse, a terrific recruiting win for Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown and his assistants. A big congratulations and welcome from Orange Nation to Jarius!
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Rodgers is ranked inside the top 200 nationally of his class by 247Sports. He told top 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister regarding the 'Cuse, "I can relate to the coaches and they are very real about everything. They checked everything off the list I was looking for."
Per McAllister, Rodgers took a visit to Syracuse football this past weekend, checking out the program's facilities and the JMA Wireless Dome while spending time with Orange coaches, including Brown.
BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Jarius Rodgers has Committed to Syracuse, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 27, 2025
The 6’5 215 EDGE from Fleming Island, FL chose the Orange over Florida State, Kentucky, & Michigan State
“Speed kills hard work dominates”https://t.co/LcRLGm6cwz pic.twitter.com/oZuHBb4HrU
Syracuse football has scored a commitment from 2026 4-star edge Jarius Rodgers.
Rodgers is a junior at Fleming Island High School in Fleming Island, Fla. Per 247Sports, he has received around 20 offers throughout his recruitment from a range of high-major programs such as Boston College, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Notre Dame, SMU, UConn, USF, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
Rangy Fla. pass rusher Jarius Rodgers committed to Syracuse on Monday, he tells @Rivals @TheJuiceOnline
— John Garcia, Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) January 27, 2025
"The coaches are great and I like how they compete," he said. "Syracuse also felt like home."https://t.co/zx496h3Wmj
Per his X page, Rodgers received a scholarship offer from the Orange on April 3, 2024. In mid-January of this year, he had a home visit with the Syracuse football staff.
Currently, his highest 2026 rankings come courtesy of 247Sports, which places Rodgers at No. 175 overall, No. 17 at edge and No. 23 in Florida. When I wrote this article on Monday afternoon, the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking had Rodgers at No. 252 nationally, No. 24 at edge and No. 40 in Florida.
Check out my Junior Season highlights - https://t.co/b6quesPdCa
— Jarius Rodgers (@JariusRodgers) December 10, 2024
To date, the 'Cuse has at least nine verbal commitments among high school juniors. The Syracuse football 2026 class is No. 11 overall via the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and No. 15 from Rivals.com.
Besides Rodgers, Orange 2026 verbal pledges from the Sunshine State include three-star offensive lineman Steven Pickard Jr. of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and four-star offensive tackle Javeion Cooper of Melbourne Central Catholic in Melbourne, Fla.
Pickard, a Central New York native, was also on the Hill last weekend and revealed his verbal commitment to Syracuse football this past Saturday evening.
The Syracuse football 2025 class, at the prep level, has the most signees around the country and also features numerous high school seniors who play for programs in Florida.