Syracuse Football: As portal opens Friday, here is what top transfers could cost

The transfer portal opens on Friday, and it should be an interesting time for Syracuse football and its peers around the country. The portal window will run from January 2 until January 16.

The Orange staff is expected to hit the transfer market hard. The team is losing various 2025 players to graduation, and at least 25 guys have revealed that they intend to explore their options via the portal. The 'Cuse has 26 signees in its record-breaking 2026 prep class, but still, Syracuse football coaches have their sights set on a top-flight transfer cycle, too.

So, how much could transfers at different positions cost Syracuse football?

Keep in mind that with the multi-billion-dollar House settlement approved earlier this year, schools are now permitted to pay their athletes directly. The maximum amount teams could share in the 2025-26 sports season is $20.5 million, and Syracuse Athletics is sharing that cap, with the number expected to increase year after year nationally.

SU Athletics doesn't break down revenue-sharing by sport, but football is likely getting a vast majority of the funds, followed by the men's and women's basketball programs. There are also name, image and likeness deals available via third-party collectives, such as SU Football NIL.

Based on recent media reports from CBS Sports, ESPN and On3, among other outlets, here is a sense of what high-end transfers could cost the Orange and other college programs. It's important to note that a lot of these figures are based on anecdotal information.

Quarterback
Range: $750,000 to $5 million
Assuming he's fully healthy, redshirt junior Steve Angeli will be the starting signal-caller for the 'Cuse in the 2026 season. However, head coach Fran Brown has also said that the team will be active in the portal as it relates to quarterbacks. Transfer QB Marcus Stokes, a redshirt sophomore at Division II West Florida, is reportedly visiting the Orange during the weekend of January 3.

Running back
Range: $250,000 to $1 million
Several 'Cuse running backs plan to enter the portal, including 2025 leading rusher Yasin Willis, a sophomore, along with fellow sophomores Jaden Hart and Malachi James. Syracuse football has been named an early school to watch for Tennessee transfer RB Peyton Lewis, a sophomore. Let's see if he takes a visit to the Hill.

Wide receiver
Range: $300,000 to $2 million
It will be fascinating to see what the Orange does in the portal regarding its WR room for 2026. The team has seen several key wide receivers elect to transfer, including starter Darrell Gill Jr., a junior, but Syracuse football has a five-star and a four-star wide receiver, among others, in its 2026 high school class. Plus, 'Cuse freshmen are publicly courting some transfer wide receivers from the Sunshine State.

Tight ends
Range: $200,000 to $800,000
Syracuse football has tight ends on its roster for 2026, however, the Orange also has to replace an extremely productive TE, redshirt senior Dan Villari.

Offensive linemen (centers, guards and tackles)
Range: $200,000 to $1.2 million
It's no secret that the 'Cuse needs to vastly improve its offensive line, for the team to have a strong rushing attack and passing game in the upcoming campaign. The program also has a new OL coach, veteran Juan Castillo.

Defensive linemen (tackles and defensive ends/edge rushers)
Range: $250,000 to $1.7 million
In 2025, Syracuse football defensive linemen struggled to contain the run and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Orange's 2026 prep class features several four-star edge rushers, but the 'Cuse could use quality defensive linemen via the portal, too.

Linebackers
Range: $150,000 to more than $700,000
Linebacker Antoine Deslauriers was a freshman All-American, but Syracuse football also could use some quality LBs to complement him in 2026.

Defensive backs (cornerbacks and safeties)
Range: $150,000 to $1 million
Standout freshmen Demetres Samuel Jr., among others, will return next season, although the Orange will have to replace defensive backs such as Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut, who have exhausted their college eligibility, along with some who plan to portal, like freshman Kaylib Singleton, redshirt junior Jalil Martin and redshirt junior Greg Delaine.