Syracuse football true freshmen Demetres Samuel Jr. and Antoine Deslauriers are garnering a lot of national attention this week, and deservedly so, for their performances last Saturday at Clemson. If they continue to play as they did in the Orange's road win over the Tigers, they will be in the running for freshman All-America honors at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Samuel, a talented defensive back/wide receiver who hails from Palm Bay, Fla., has received the player of the week honor from the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which goes out annually to the top newbie in college football.
Our highest-graded CBs, nationally:
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 22, 2025
1) Mansoor Delane, @LSUfootball: 98.9
2) Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse: 96.6
3) Hezekiah Masses, California: 96.4
4) Colton Hood, Tennessee: 93.6
5) Keith Abney II, Arizona State: 92.8
6) DeAgo Brumfield, Mississippi State: 92.7
7) Will James,… pic.twitter.com/h48jrVJju2
As the Orange (3-1, 1-0 in the ACC) stunned Clemson, 34-21, Samuel was targeted eight times by the Tigers, according to SU Athletics. He surrendered just four catches, broke up a pass and collected six total tackles.
For his outstanding performance in Syracuse football's road win over Clemson last Saturday, true freshman defensive back/wide receiver @demetres_jr was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award's Player of the Week. Heck yeah. https://t.co/nbLQjdwllQ
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) September 23, 2025
According to some experts, Samuel currently is one of the highest-graded cornerbacks around the country. Oh, and he's only 17 and the second-youngest player in the FBS division.
Not only is he a true freshman, but @demetres_jr is the second-youngest player in FBS. He's also a wide receiver and a return man. Star in the making. 🍊 https://t.co/N0lX8dfScI
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) September 18, 2025
Through four games, Samuel has one reception for 10 yards on offense. He has 15 solo tackles on defense, along with 22 total tackles, one interception and six passes defended.
And yet Demetres is just 17. Second-youngest player in FBS. Already a star 🎯 https://t.co/M7Dgf6GypN
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) September 24, 2025
Syracuse football has some excellent freshmen.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Deslauriers, a linebacker from Montreal, turned it up a notch against Clemson in Death Valley. He posted three solo tackles, a career-high eight total tackles and two forced fumbles (one in each half of play).
Week 4 College Football True Freshman Standouts headlined by Maryland QB Malik Washington🐢
— On3 (@On3sports) September 22, 2025
(via @CharlesPower)https://t.co/D8ifq3YKbB pic.twitter.com/YfGQow61Fk
For his efforts in the Orange's domination of the Tigers, the Atlantic Coast Conference named Deslauriers its linebacker of the week. A starting linebacker as a true freshman, Deslauriers so far in 2025 has tallied six solo tackles, 18 total tackles, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
True freshman 🤯@AntoineDeslau05 pic.twitter.com/AgGDI7rnAK
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) September 23, 2025
According to Syracuse Athletics, Deslauriers' 18 total tackles are fourth on the team. Not too shabby for a freshman.
Week 4 mindset: Every rep counts. Every day matters. Let's get it. #MotivationMonday pic.twitter.com/YZoDi3ApWA
— Antoine Deslauriers (@AntoineDeslau05) September 15, 2025
Numerous other Syracuse football freshmen have seen the field in the 2025 campaign, especially in the blowout win over Colgate at home earlier this month. But as far as I'm concerned, the Orange's top two freshmen are Samuel and Deslauriers.
The 'Cuse eyes a 2-0 start to ACC competition when Syracuse football hosts Duke on Saturday afternoon. Here's how to watch.