Syracuse Football: 4-star RB, a top-100 national prospect with SU offer, names top 8

Shahn Alston, an elite four-star running back in the 2026 class who received an offer from Syracuse football about two months ago, has disclosed his top-eight contenders. Unfortunately, the Orange didn't make the cut.

In the top eight of the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Alston are Missouri, Auburn, Penn State, Southern California, Michigan State, Florida, Wisconsin and Nebraska. While I'm bummed that the 'Cuse doesn't remain in the running for Alston, I'm wishing Shahn all the best with his recruitment moving forward.

On September 21, Alston said via his X page that he had picked up a scholarship offer from the Orange staff, which is led by first-year head coach and ace recruiter Fran Brown. Throughout his recruiting process, the Ohio product has secured more than two dozen offers from a range of high-major programs.

Syracuse football does have a verbal pledge from a running back in its 2026 class.

Alston is a standout junior at Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore and has put forth an impressive 2024 campaign, too.

Per MaxPreps, as a junior for Harvey, Alston has carried the ball 131 times for 1,104 yards and 15 touchdowns. He's also caught 14 passes for 184 yards and one score through the air.

Currently, Alston's highest 2026 rankings come via ESPN, where he is No. 81 overall, No. 8 at running back and No. 3 in Ohio.

At the time of this writing, within the junior cycle, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite placed Alston at No. 134 nationwide, No. 12 at running back and No. 5 in Ohio. Over at the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking, he was No. 152 nationally, No. 13 at his position and No. 6 in Ohio.

To date, the 'Cuse has one verbal pledge in its 2026 class. In late April of this year, three-star running back D'Antae Sheffey of Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Pa., verbally committed to Syracuse football.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Sheffey is ranked in the top 450 overall of the junior cycle, per both the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Industry Ranking.

As the Orange was set to host UConn on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome, numerous prospects in the 2026 class and other recruiting cycles were expected to be in attendance at this non-conference clash on either official or unofficial visits.