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Syracuse football's 2025 roster includes two of the top freshmen in the country

Neil Adler
Neil Adler

Inside the Loud House

Syracuse football has two of the country's top freshmen in DB/WR Demetres Samuel Jr. and linebacker Antoine Deslauriers. / Katie DeVaney/GettyImages

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

According to Syracuse Athletics, Deslauriers' 18 total tackles are fourth on the team. Not too shabby for a freshman.

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.

Neil Adler

Neil Adler

Since 2016, Neil has served as a writer with Inside The Loud House, while also taking on the role of editor in 2020. Neil, a graduate of Syracuse University in 2000, primarily covers 'Cuse basketball, football, recruiting, NIL and conference realignment issues. Neil has been an avid Syracuse sports enthusiast dating back to the 1980s. While with Loud House, Neil is regularly heard on the radio in Central New York, while also participating in numerous podcasts related to the 'Cuse. His exclusive reports are often picked up by other media outlets, too. When not writing about Syracuse sports, Neil also co-owns a marketing agency in the Washington, D.C., market. He loves playing hoops and buying basketball cards with his son, spending time with his parents, brother and nephews, and listening to Duran Duran.