Syracuse Football 2025 Preview: 'Cuse wide receiver room is talented but unproven

One of the biggest voids on the Syracuse Orange football team that needs to be filled in 2025 is the wide receiver position. The surprise transfer of Trebor Pena after spring practice threw a wrench in the team’s plans for the upcoming season.

Including the departures of tight end Oronde Gadsden and running back LeQuint Allen, the Orange lost four of their top five receivers from last season, including Pena and Jackson Meeks, who combined for 162 catches and 1,962 yards in 2024. Let’s take a deep dive into how Syracuse will replace that production and who will be playing wide receiver for the Orange in 2025.

The starters (probably)

In theory, Darrell Gill should be in line to start for the Orange this season, as he’s the team’s top returning receiver from 2024. Gill collected 31 receptions for 570 yards and two touchdowns, which is surprisingly productive for a player who had to battle Pena, Meeks, and Gadsden for targets. He showed enough flashes to make us think he can help fill the void left by those players.

Justus Ross-Simmons is a player who was in a supporting role last season but should take on a bigger role in 2025. There were high hopes for the Colorado State transfer last season, but he never looked fully healthy. Ross-Simmons ended up making just nine catches, although his two touchdowns against Virginia Tech offered a glimpse into what he can do, on top of saving the Orange in that game.

The other projected starter is Texas and Washington transfer Johntay Cook. Not long ago, he was an Under Armour All-American and one of the top wide receiver recruits in the country. But Cook had just 16 catches across his two seasons at Texas. A change of scenery and an opportunity to see the field might be what Cook needs to fulfill his potential. The early returns from training camp have been positive, teasing Orange fans with the possibility that Cook could be something special.

The backups

After losing their top receivers from last season, the Orange is lacking experience at this position, although having Umari Hatcher around should help. Hatcher is gearing up for his fifth year in Syracuse, making him an anomaly in today’s college football world. He has 36 games of experience under his belt and was actually the team’s second-leading receiver in 2023. Hatcher started six games last season and could sneak into the starting lineup. In any event, he brings a much-needed veteran presence to the wide receiver room.

While lacking experience, South Carolina transfer Tyshawn Russell should add talent to the wide receiver position for the Orange. He caught five passes, including a 50-yard touchdown, as a true freshman in 2023, but didn’t play at all in 2024. The Pennsylvania native should have a chance to play his way into the rotation, even if a starting spot seems unrealistic unless there are multiple injuries.

The other players who have a chance to crack the two-deep at wide receiver are Emanuel Ross and Jaylan Hornsby, neither of whom has much experience. Both were limited to four games in 2024, preserving their redshirt. Ross caught five passes, while Hornsby had two, so neither made much of an impact in 2024. Nevertheless, Ross, in particular, was a four-star recruit on some services and had offers from the likes of Penn State and Texas A&M, so he’ll be a young receiver to watch closely this season.

The rest

Not surprisingly, there is no shortage of options at wide receiver. Ja’Meer Thomas and Ta’Ron Haile are both redshirt freshmen who have a track background, which has been a common theme among the offensive skill players Fran Brown has recruited. Among this year’s crop of true freshmen, Darius Johnson has made the most noise early in training camp, potentially putting him in line for snaps this season.

Beyond Johnson, Darien Williams, Gabe Daniels, Julian McFadden, and Terrell Wilfong are the other true freshmen wide receivers on the roster. Williams is a Syracuse native out of Christian Brothers Academy. Gabe Daniels is a 6’2’’ former track star from Georgia. McFadden comes from the same Philadelphia high school that gave us Zaire Franklin. Wilfong is a monstrous 6’6’’ who also played basketball in high school in West Orange, New Jersey. Finally, we can’t forget about walk-ons Nick Armentano, Sean Murphy, and Nate Edwards.

The skinny

As mentioned, Syracuse could have a tough time replacing the production of players like Pena and Meeks. But there are some silver linings. Gill and Hatcher provide some experience and should at least be good complementary players. If Ross-Simmons is fully healthy, he could be a game-changer for the Orange. The same could be said of Cook, who has huge upside. There is also some hope that Russell or some of the countless freshmen could emerge as regular contributors.

If nothing else, the wide receiver position is full of possibilities for the Orange in 2025. If things break well, Ross-Simmons, Cook, Gill, and Hatcher could form a strong unit, perhaps with some help from some of the younger receivers on the roster. However, it’s hard to deny that Syracuse has far more questions than answers at wide receiver ahead of the 2025 season. If those questions aren’t answered, it’ll be difficult for the Orange to be a quality ACC team.