Syracuse Football: 'Cuse 4-star recruits skyrocket in new 2026 national rankings

In recent days, various Syracuse football four-star recruits in the 2026 class saw their national rankings soar.

Not too long ago, Rivals.com updated its national ratings for the sophomore cycle, while On3 published its first set of rankings for this class.

A bunch of high school sophomores, who hold scholarship offers or interest from the new Orange coaching staff, led by head coach Fran Brown, find themselves within the top 300 around the country in these updates from On3 and Rivals.com.

The list below isn't meant to be fully comprehensive, given that the 'Cuse has offered scholarships to many 2026 high school prospects. Some of these Orange targets, I should add, have the 'Cuse as a visit destination this spring during their respective recruiting processes.

Syracuse football 2026 four-star targets are highly ranked.

Luke Wafle
Four-star edge
The Hun School of Princeton in Princeton, N.J.
On3: NR
Rivals.com: No. 59

Darius Gray
Four-star offensive lineman
St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Va.
On3: No. 113
Rivals.com: No. 42

Javian Mallory
Four-star running back
West Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton, Fla.
On3: No. 226
Rivals.com: No. 109

Carter Scruggs
Four-star offensive tackle
Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Va.
On3: No. 123
Rivals.com: No. 118

Zion Elee
Four-star edge
Joppatowne High School in Joppatowne, Md.
On3: No. 7
Rivals.com: No. 166

Dyzier Carter
Four-star wide receiver
Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Va.
On3: No. 92
Rivals.com: No. 191

Faizon Brandon
Four-star quarterback
Grimsley Senior High School in Greensboro, N.C.
On3: No. 12
Rivals.com: NR

Derek Zammit
Three-star quarterback
DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.
On3: No. 259
Rivals.com: NR

Marquez Wimberly
Three-star athlete/running back
Nazareth Area High School in Nazareth, Pa.
On3: No. 237
Rivals.com: NR

Demetres Samuel Jr.
Four-star athlete
Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Fla.
On3: No. 77
Rivals.com: NR

Shahn Alston

Four-star running back
Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio
On3: No. 75
Rivals.com: NR

Syracuse football coaches are still on the lookout for their first verbal commitment in the 2026 cycle, although the majority of players in this class likely have a way to go in their recruitments.

The Orange has at least five verbal pledges to date in 2025 and did a fabulous job in 2024, landing multiple four-star prospects among high school seniors and college transfers.