Syracuse football 2026 verbal commit Calvin Russell lll is planning to take a second game-day visit to another Atlantic Coast Conference suitor on Saturday, but don't worry, Orange fans - he's locked in with the 'Cuse.
It's easy to get concerned over this. I understand. I really do. Russell, a five-star wide receiver and a top-25 national prospect in the 2026 class, was in attendance when Miami knocked off Notre Dame in week one at home.
According to recruiting analysts, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound Russell is also expected to be in the house when No. 5 Miami hosts in-state rival and No. 18 South Florida on Saturday afternoon from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
VIP: There are major additions to Miami's expected visitors list this weekend with the Hurricanes hosting No. 18 USF, including a pair of five-star pass catchers and another top offensive flip target.https://t.co/xvOuN4juzs pic.twitter.com/UuTxc3hIpD
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) September 12, 2025
Two important things to mention here. Russell's good friend is Miami freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney. And Russell, a senior at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, lives not far from the Hurricanes campus.
Teams will continue to try to poach Syracuse football 5-star pledge Calvin Russell lll.
It's no secret that Miami, and perhaps others, will remain in pursuit of Russell until the early signing period for 2026 prospects this December. When he verbally committed to the Orange in early July, the chatter was that his recruitment came down to Syracuse football and Michigan.
His official final four was the 'Cuse, the Wolverines, Florida State and Oregon. However, keep an eye on Miami and Florida State, two schools located in the Sunshine State. Russell has family connections to the Hurricanes, yet at the same time, he's said that his recruitment is shut down.
We'll see. I'm not worried. For one, I'm told that he's expected to officially visit the 'Cuse this fall. He has already officially visited his other finalists and can't take a second official visit to any of them.
Most importantly, regardless of what kind of noise is out there, the bottom line is that Russell committed to Syracuse football because of his dynamic with head coach Fran Brown. Russell has said that his relationship, and his family's relationship, with Brown is stronger than with any other college coach.
Do I like that Russell is visiting Miami for a second time in the early part of the 2025 season? Of course not. Am I surprised by it? Absolutely not. If he doesn't take an official visit to the Orange at some point, then I'll start to get worried.
For now, I'll just say that I hope Russell has a great experience on Saturday, cheering on his dear friend in person. I want Miami to win, as the Hurricanes are a fellow ACC member. I trust Calvin when he says he's locked in with Syracuse football, and I'll leave it at that.