Joseph Filardi, who is technically a walk-on with Syracuse football, is expected to start at quarterback on Friday night against North Carolina at the JMA Wireless Dome, according to numerous reports, including a post on X from ESPN senior writer Pete Thamel.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Filardi will replace redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins, a transfer from LSU who had started the Orange's past four games, all of which were losses for the 'Cuse. Head coach Fran Brown said earlier this week that there could be a change at quarterback against the Tar Heels.
An ESPN source confirms that Syracuse will start true freshman Joseph Filardi against UNC tonight. This will mark his first career start, as he's credited with one offensive snap this season. First reported by CNY legend @MattMulcahy.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 31, 2025
Frankly, though, one might have assumed freshman Luke Carney from the Dallas area might have started on Friday evening, since he's played the most of any other quarterback to date in the 2025 season beyond Collins and the team's initial starting signal-caller, redshirt junior Steve Angeli, a transfer from Notre Dame.
Angeli had been leading the country in passing yards, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the Orange's road win at Clemson, which led to Collins being named the team's starting quarterback. The 'Cuse quarterback room also includes redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams and freshman Rich Belin.
QB’s 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Rb71HeP0Pj
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) October 31, 2025
Freshman Joseph Filardi is expected to start at quarterback for Syracuse football on Friday evening.
Filardi is on scholarship with the Syracuse men's lacrosse team. He's technically a walk-on with Syracuse football. Filardi came to the 'Cuse from Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, N.Y., on Long Island.
A few reports have surfaced stating that freshman Joseph Filardi will start at QB for Syracuse tonight vs. North Carolina at the Dome. A 'Cuse team spokesperson, just a few minutes ago, said this to me via text message: "We have not announced a starting quarterback for tonight."
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) October 31, 2025
By the way, when reached via text message on Friday as reports surfaced about Filardi potentially starting at quarterback for the Orange against UNC, a 'Cuse spokesperson said, "We have not announced a starting quarterback for tonight."
Per MaxPreps, as a senior in the 2024 season for Half Hollow Hills High School West, Filardi completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,115 yards with 43 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The year before, he threw for 3,337 yards with 44 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
Entering Friday evening's ACC encounter, both Syracuse football and the Tar Heels are on four-game losing streaks. North Carolina is led by first-year head coach Bill Belichick, the NFL legend who won a combined eight Super Bowls as a head coach and an assistant.