Syracuse football is off to a blazing hot start with its 2026 class.
Head coach Fran Brown and his staff picked up their second verbal pledge on Monday among high school sophomores, and both of these 'Cuse commits are rated in the top 80 nationally, per On3.
According to the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking, when I wrote this article on Monday afternoon, the Orange's two 2026 pledges also found themselves in the top 220 around the country within this cycle.
Needless to say, the 2026 class, for the 'Cuse and all FBS squads, has a way to go. But for the moment, multiple recruiting Web sites listed the Syracuse football two-member 2026 cycle inside the top 10 nationwide.
Commited to Syracuse 🍊
— Izayia williams 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@izayia_williams) April 15, 2024
@CoaVollono @Coach_2CAP @FranBrownCuse @Coach_RWright @CoachEMarcCuse @Coach_E_Rob @FootballTavares @CoachGrant_THS @SWiltfong_ pic.twitter.com/nJ6kTonCuo
On Monday, via his X page, 2026 four-star outside linebacker/safety Izayia Williams said he was verbally committing to the Orange after taking a visit to the Hill this past weekend. A huge congrats and welcome from 'Cuse Nation to Izayia!
Had a great time at Syracuse today@Coach_2CAP @FranBrownCuse @CuseFootball pic.twitter.com/mdo8W8cqb6
— Izayia williams 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@izayia_williams) April 13, 2024
Syracuse football, so far, is rolling with its 2026 high school class.
Williams, who attends Tavares High School in Tavares, Fla., picked up a scholarship offer from the 'Cuse coaching staff in mid-February of this year.
He had previously given a verbal commitment to Atlantic Coast Conference member Louisville last November but reopened his recruitment in late January of this year. Besides the Orange and the Cardinals, Williams held offers from schools including USF, Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, Louisville, Iowa State and Florida A&M.
Within the 2026 class, On3 ranks Williams at No. 49 overall, No. 5 at safety and No. 6 in Florida. The On3 Industry Ranking, meanwhile, placed him at No. 220 nationwide, No. 20 at safety and No. 47 in Florida.
In late March, another 2026 four-star prospect from Florida got the 'Cuse on the board in this class. That's when athlete/defensive back Demetres Samuel Jr. of Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Fla., verbally committed to Syracuse football.
He also visited the SU program and was offered by the Orange staff on February 24 of this year. On3 rates Samuel at No. 77 nationally, while the On3 Industry Ranking slotted him at No. 150 overall within the sophomore cycle.
At the time of this writing, the Syracuse football 2026 class was No. 9 nationwide from Rivals.com and No. 10 overall per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. Just tremendous.