As his commitment announcement date inches closer, Syracuse football fans are eager to know if the Orange will score a verbal pledge from 2026 priority target Calvin Russell lll, especially after another top-flight wideout, Messiah Hampton, picked Oregon over the 'Cuse and other finalists.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Russell has kept things close to the vest throughout his recruiting process, and it's difficult to gauge which of his suitors is currently in the lead. Russell, a state champion in football a season ago at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, is also a standout in hoops, and he holds scholarship offers from both Syracuse basketball and 'Cuse football.
Russell, a five-star wide receiver and top-25 national prospect per 247Sports, has a final eight of Syracuse football, Miami, Oregon, Michigan, Florida State, Florida, LSU and North Carolina. Not too long ago, Rivals.com national analyst John Garcia Jr. said he thought Russell's recruitment could ultimately come down to the 'Cuse and the Hurricanes.
This past weekend, Russell went on an official visit to Miami. Media reports indicate that Russell's trip to his hometown college team went well. Recently, he has also officially visited Florida, LSU and Oregon. This coming weekend, Russell is planning to officially visit Michigan.
Syracuse football remains in the mix for 2026 5-star WR Calvin Russell lll.
As 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister has reported, Russell is not expected to officially visit the Orange before he makes his college decision known on July 5. However, per several reports, Russell might be planning to officially visit the 'Cuse sometime this fall.
Understandably, many Syracuse football fans think the Orange will miss on Russell if he doesn't officially visit the Hill before he makes his commitment announcement early next month. There's a dead period in college football recruiting that runs from June 23 until July 31.
Naturally, Russell could pick the 'Cuse and be saving his official visit for this fall. Also, he might end up choosing another suitor on July 5 but still go on an official visit to Syracuse football this fall, as the early signing period for 2026 prospects doesn't arrive until later this year.
Speaking of other suitors, Southeastern Conference member LSU notched a prediction for Russell via the On3 Web site a few days ago. The chatter among some analysts and writers who closely follow Russell have said of late that those Tigers may have jumped out in front for Russell.
Then again, things can ebb and flow in a top-flight player's recruitment, and Russell's recruiting process is challenging to decipher. If I had to venture a guess, I don't think the Orange will prevail when Russell makes his decision early next month, but head coach Fran Brown and his staff likely won't halt their pursuit of Russell until he puts pen to paper.