Syracuse football: 2024 signees who will make the biggest impact as freshmen

The Boca Raton Bowl could not have gone worse for the Syracuse Orange but with splashy moves in the transfer portal and a quality recruiting class, Fran Brown has injected some enthusiasm into the program and the fanbase. 

On Early Signing Day, Brown locked down his 18-player high school class that ranked No. 35 in the country. Brown’s inaugural class is the best recruiting cycle that Syracuse has had in modern history. 

The Orange will get an immediate impact from the transfer portal class that is ranked No. 17 nationally and is headlined by former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord. However, Dino Babers left Brown a roster that lacked talent across the board, so as freshmen, the class of 2024 will need to start the turnaround in western New York. 

Which members of the 2024 high school class will make the biggest impact for Syracuse next season? Let’s get into it. 

Fran Brown came from Georgia and he brought a few of the top players in the state with him. Jamie Tremble will have a chance to fight for starting reps as a true freshman next season. 

Dan Villari converted from QB to TE at Syracuse (and he had to convert back in the Boca Raton Bowl), but this season he impressed as a sophomore with 55 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns. 

Still, Villari wasn’t nearly dynamic enough to be a difference-maker for Kyle McCord next year. McCord was not good at Ohio State and was especially awful when pressured, only averaging 4.9 yards per attempt with three interceptions to two touchdowns when pressured. His YPA ranked 123rd in the country. 

Villari only averaged 5.5 yards per reception, so Tremble’s athleticism will be paramount to an efficient offense in Syracuse next season. McCord relied heavily on Cade Stover, who was second on Ohio State’s roster in receptions in 2023 with 41. Tremble could become that for the Orange.