Syracuse fans are worried as 5-star WR Calvin Russell isn't signing on Wednesday

Some drama at the start of the early signing period for 2026 high school football prospects!

Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell lll, a Syracuse football verbal commit, says that he won't sign on Wednesday, according to numerous media reports. The early signing period runs from December 3 until this Friday, December 5. Pete Nakos of On3 said in a post on X that the 6-foot-5 Russell "is expected to sign on Friday."

On Wednesday, Orange head coach Fran Brown, when asked about Russell, said generally speaking, "I'm confident in who I am. I'm confident in this block S."

Russell, a top-25 national prospect in the 2026 class according to 247Sports, verbally pledged to the 'Cuse in early July over other finalists Florida State, Michigan and Oregon. A standout senior at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Russell has repeatedly said that he's locked in with Syracuse football, citing his strong relationship with Brown.

Of course, this stinks for Syracuse football fans, who were hoping to see Russell sign with the program on Wednesday. He would be the highest-ranked commit for the 'Cuse in more than two decades if he does ultimately sign with the team.

Russell has visited the Hill on multiple occasions, including an official visit to Syracuse football during Halloween weekend as the Orange played fellow Atlantic Coast Conference team North Carolina.

Syracuse football will have to wait a little longer for 5-star WR Calvin Russell's final decision.

On Wednesday, several industry analysts and observers spoke to Michigan and Miami currently being involved in Russell's recruitment, although there seems to be some differing opinions on whether the Hurricanes are in pursuit of Russell these days.

One of his best friends plays for Miami, and Russell took several game-day visits to the Hurricanes this fall, since it's a local team for him. When he announced his verbal commitment to the Orange in early July, Michigan was thought to be Syracuse football's biggest threat, and that could be the case now.

Russell is an excellent basketball player, too, and has said he wants to play hoops in college, at least initially. I've been told that he's prepared to compete for Syracuse basketball and has a great relationship with that program's staff.

On Wednesday, Russell's Miami Northwestern teammate, 2026 four-star defensive back Tedarius Hughes, signed with Syracuse football after flipping from Florida State to the 'Cuse roughly a month ago.

Russell's agent is Justin Giangrande, who is the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based NETWORK. Not too long ago, Giangrande released this statement via his X page: