Rivals refreshed its 2027 rankings on Monday, and a Syracuse football verbal commit made a large leap.
Multi-positional athlete Tristin Hughes from Ohio, in the Rival update, is rated four stars, No. 296 around the country, No. 31 at safety and No. 10 in Ohio. Hughes, a track star, also plays wide receiver and running back for Rocky River High School in Rocky River, Ohio, near Cleveland.
A huge congrats to Tristin! The 'Cuse staff offered a scholarship to him in June of this year. In early September, Hughes was in attendance at the JMA Wireless Dome as Syracuse football defeated non-conference foe UConn. He verbally pledged to the Orange a few days later.
Blessed to say I’ve received my 7th Offer and my first power 4 offer from Syracuse #orangemen
— Tristin Hughes 2027 4⭐️ (@_tristinhughes) June 21, 2025
@CoachWatkinsSY @FranBrownCuse @CoachWells1
@TheJEAcademy @alston_darrius @AllenTrieu @WRCoachmj pic.twitter.com/9FpH78pJZE
The 'Cuse 2027 class includes six verbal commits. All the other prospects are currently three-star players. This Orange 2027 cycle is No. 4 overall, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
I will be at Syracuse this weekend for a game day visit. Can’t wait to be in the atmosphere !! @CoachWatkCUSE pic.twitter.com/uiVtzduQ2L
— Tristin Hughes 2027 4⭐️ (@_tristinhughes) September 2, 2025
The industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking has the Syracuse football 2027 class at No. 14 nationally. According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, every one of the team's 2027 pledges is in the top 675 overall of this cycle. Hughes is No. 368 nationwide via the Rivals Industry Ranking. He's also No. 365 overall from the 247Sports Composite.
100% commited #orangemen #Syracuse @CoachWatkCUSE @FranBrownCuse @CoachJ_Schaefer
— Tristin Hughes 2027 4⭐️ (@_tristinhughes) September 10, 2025
@CoachWells1 @Coach_Atwater @alston_darrius @Nolan5_4L @TheJoeEwell @adamgorney @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/cNtbPpntWi
Syracuse football 2027 commit Tristin Hughes, a talented athlete, has jumped in the rankings.
Hughes is having a terrific junior season at Rocky River High School. According to MaxPreps, he has 39 catches for 798 yards with 13 touchdowns. Hughes has 35 carries for 253 yards and five more scores on the ground. On defense, he has tallied 19 solo tackles, 36 total tackles, two interceptions, one pass defended and one forced fumble.
Blessed to be ranked a 4 star ⭐️ on rivals @Coach_Atwater @CoachWells1 @TheJoeEwell @alston_darrius pic.twitter.com/ybeGAuHocf
— Tristin Hughes 2027 4⭐️ (@_tristinhughes) October 20, 2025
17 total touchdowns and 1,097 All purpose yards. 24/32 quarters played pic.twitter.com/NjeVB0kbUn
— Tristin Hughes 2027 4⭐️ (@_tristinhughes) October 15, 2025
Per his bio on the 247Sports Web site, Hughes' full scholarship offer sheet has included Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Toledo and UMass. According to Rivals, fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school Pittsburgh has shown an interest in Hughes.
While head coach Fran Brown and his assistants are already off to a fast start in 2027, 'Cuse coaches are also heavily involved with a range of highly ranked juniors, including some who are potential flip targets.
This cycle could have a way to go, but early on, Syracuse football has the makings of a special 2027 class from a national perspective.