Syracuse Football: 5-star Calvin Russell, 4-star Tedarius Hughes on verge of title

Syracuse football signees and recruiting targets at a Florida powerhouse are on the verge of another state title.

Miami Northwestern Senior High School, an elite program in the Sunshine State, won its Florida High School Athletic Association ("FHSAA") Class 3A state semifinal match-up on Friday night to advance to the championship game in the playoffs.

On Friday evening, at home, No. 1 seed Miami Northwestern crushed No. 4 seed Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Fla., by a final score of 52-21. Next up, Miami Northwestern will face No. 2 seed Raines High School in Jacksonville, Fla. The date and time of the title contest has yet to be announced.

Miami Northwestern is 13-0 overall in the 2025 season. The Bulls are No. 20 nationally and No. 3 in Florida, according to MaxPreps. In 2024, Miami Northwestern went 12-2 and claimed the FHSAA 3A state championship.

Syracuse football commits and targets eye a second straight prep title in Florida.

Miami Northwestern's loaded 2025 roster includes Syracuse football 2026 signees Calvin Russell lll, a five-star wide receiver, and Tedarius Hughes, a four-star defensive back. They are part of the Orange's record-setting 2026 class. Russell is the program's highest-ranked commit in more than two decades.

I didn't come across a specific box score for the Bulls' win over Bishop Moore. That being said, according to posts on X, Russell hauled in at least one touchdown pass. So did 2027 five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear, who is a priority recruit for Syracuse football in that cycle. The 'Cuse is one of the top options these days for Lennear, who is a top-20 national prospect.

These statistics aren't necessarily comprehensive, but according to MaxPreps, prior to Friday night's game, Russell this season had 32 catches for 517 yards and seven scores. He has also played some quarterback, throwing for 368 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Lennear had 20 receptions for 381 yards and seven scores. Hughes had tallied 25 solo tackles, 30 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, six passes defended and one fumble recovery.