2025 Strategy Shift?

[RMH44]

I know we want to see more "4 star" kids, it stands to reason the more kids we land that playoff teams want probably the better our chances of success. Rivals had us at #37 and us hitting top 40 never happens, maybe that's due to quantity, but either way it's top 40, that said, I'm somewhat bullish on this class.

We had at least 1 kid downgraded from 4 star; Carney, and we have some kids undervalued by the sites based on their offers.

Lastly, you have to love the size they're recruiting and our skill kids are all fast as evident by their track times.

< Size >
*6 DBs and not one under 6'-1"
*4 DTs average 6'-5" 285 with two at 315 and 300
*7 OL average 6'-6" 306. Throwing out the highest and lowest the average is still 6'-6" 301 lb
*WR - 3 go 6"-5"

Offers: 17 playoff team offers that I counted.
37 SEC offers
33 BIG10 offers

Luke Carney - QB
Arizona, Arkansas, BC, BYU, Cal, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota

Antoine Deslauriers - LB
Auburn, Duke, FSU, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan St., Missouri, Ole Miss, Missouri, North Carolina, NC St, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF

Kaylib Singleton - CB
BC, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa St, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Miss St, Pitt, Rutgers, SMU, Texas A&M, UCF, WVU

Demetres Samuel - DB
Auburn, Duke, Florida, Iowa St., Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan St., Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, UCF

Haleem Muhammad - DL
BC, Cincy, Duke, Florida, Maryland, PSU, Rutgers, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, WVU

Jayden Mann - OL
Auburn, BC, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Michigan St., Minnesota, Pitt, Rutgers, Tennessee, WVU

Terrell Wilfong - WR
BC, Cal, Cincy, Maryland, PSU, Pitt, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, WVU

Byron Washington - OL
ASU, Baylor, Duke, Houston, Oregon, TCU, Texas, UCF

Quante Gillians - DE
BC, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan St., Minnesota, Pitt, SMU, WVU

Kahlil Stewart - OL
BC, Duke, PSU, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia Tech, WVU

Eric "EJ" Thomas - DT
Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina

Ziyyon Bredell - CB
BC, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Pitt, WVU

Darien Williams - ATH
Colorado, BC, Pitt, Penn St., Purdue, Vanderbilt

Gabe Daniels - WR
Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kansas St, NC St., Wake Forest

Elijah Crawford - DL
Indiana, Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, WVU

Darius Johnson - WR
Auburn, Arkansas, SMU, WVU

Matthew Hawn - OL
BC, Duke, Pitt, Rutgers

Skylar Harvey - OL
BC, Pitt, Virginia Tech

Rayshon Andrews - S
BC, Penn St., Oregon St.

DeAngelo Thompson - DE
Kentucky, Virginia Tech

I've like that we've built up the 'under belly of the team' between last year and this. I think the class is solid based on size, speed and offers.

Great summary...thanks for sharing.

 

[vegasnick]

8 is the high range but I believe we have the talent on the roster to overachieve with the coaches we have. More than 8? Don't see it.

I think 8 wins should be a realistic goal. If they over achieve we all will be very happy!

 

[Kalima45]

I think 8 wins should be a realistic goal. If they over achieve we all will be very happy!

Assuming Colgate and UConn are wins who do you see the other 6 teams we beat being?

 

[farnsworth]

Not one person has said 8+ wins here.

Lmao multiple people in multiple threads, including yourself, have used 8 wins as a benchmark for a really good year. For some reason you don't want to have civil discussion though and are more interested in tough guy talk.

So 6-8? Let me know when you want to give me under 7 wins on a $100k bet.

 

[CuseIn282xx]

Had this conversation with friends this weekend and it makes A TON of sense. I'll also caveat this with THERE IS NO INSIDE INFO HERE. This is purely opinion.

We currently have 33 commits for 2025, and are still recruiting a few others. Provided they all sign on signing day, there will be some guys getting "the talk" in the offseason. My guess is the majority of those will be junior and senior players.

I don't believe we are punting on the 2025 season, however, we are playing Tennessee, Clemson, @ND, @Miami, @GT, @SMU. The odds of us having a 8 win season are SLIGHT, but I think we should be able to make a bowl. A tough schedule will pressure test players and hopefully let the cream rise to the top.

In my mind, what the plan is for next year is
- Bank as much NIL money as possible for 2026/27, while bringing in as many HS players as possible. The more kids you bring in, the better chances you have of hitting on some legitimate stars.
- Bring in transfers that have AT LEAST two or three seasons of eligibility remaining
- Give kids that aren't good enough "the talk"
- Get enough game tape from Jakhari/Prospective Transfer to see if one of them is "the guy" at QB

Then, you can go into 2026 with playoff aspirations.

I believe Fran is too competitive to completely punt, but I think at a school with limited resources you have to be as resourceful as possible. Thoughts? Is this crazy?

I don't see Coach thinking along these lines. He's going to continue to bring in the best players available regardless of class, NIL money, or even position.

I don't believe you can "time" a program, or "punt" a year. If we don't get the best players available for 2025, with our schedule we stand a realistic chance of having a three win season, and then where is your program? What does that do to your future recruiting?

It's not in Fran Brown's nature or his faith to do anything but to do the best you can every moment of every day.

 

[vegasnick]

Lmao multiple people in multiple threads, including yourself, have used 8 wins as a benchmark for a really good year. For some reason you don't want to have civil discussion though and are more interested in tough guy talk.

So 6-8? Let me know when you want to give me under 7 wins on a $100k bet.

I'm in! I'll take the action all day, under 7 wins. Anything 7 and over loses-

Now if you want to make it $100, I'm good. If you want to up the ante, I'm good too.

I'm assuming you meant $100 and not $100k... if you did mean $100K you're on your own

 

[vegasnick]

Assuming Colgate and UConn are wins who do you see the other 6 teams we beat being?

Boston College, N Carolina, Duke, Pittsburgh, SMU, I think they split with Tennessee and ND (Especially if Freeman goes to the NFL), and can beat Miami (Carson Beck is EXTREMELY OVERRATED!!!)

 

[richmondcuse03]

I know we want to see more "4 star" kids, it stands to reason the more kids we land that playoff teams want probably the better our chances of success. Rivals had us at #37 and us hitting top 40 never happens, maybe that's due to quantity, but either way it's top 40, that said, I'm somewhat bullish on this class.

We had at least 1 kid downgraded from 4 star; Carney and he did nothing performance wise to be downgrade except commit to Syracuse, and we also have some kids undervalued by the sites based on their offers.

Lastly, you have to love the size they're recruiting and our skill kids are all fast as evident by their track times.

< Size >
*6 DBs and not one under 6'-1"
*4 DTs average 6'-5" 285 with two at 315 and 300
*7 OL average 6'-6" 306. Throwing out the highest and lowest the average is still 6'-6" 301 lb
*WR - 3 go 6'-5"

Offers: 17 playoff team offers that I counted.
37 SEC offers
33 BIG10 offers

Luke Carney - QB
Arizona, Arkansas, BC, BYU, Cal, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota

Antoine Deslauriers - LB
Auburn, Duke, FSU, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan St., Missouri, Ole Miss, Missouri, North Carolina, NC St, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF

Kaylib Singleton - CB
BC, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa St, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Miss St, Pitt, Rutgers, SMU, Texas A&M, UCF, WVU

Demetres Samuel - DB
Auburn, Duke, Florida, Iowa St., Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan St., Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, UCF

Haleem Muhammad - DL
BC, Cincy, Duke, Florida, Maryland, PSU, Rutgers, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, WVU

Jayden Mann - OL
Auburn, BC, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Michigan St., Minnesota, Pitt, Rutgers, Tennessee, WVU

Terrell Wilfong - WR
BC, Cal, Cincy, Maryland, PSU, Pitt, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, WVU

Byron Washington - OL
ASU, Baylor, Duke, Houston, Oregon, TCU, Texas, UCF

Quante Gillians - DE
BC, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan St., Minnesota, Pitt, SMU, WVU

Kahlil Stewart - OL
BC, Duke, PSU, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia Tech, WVU

Eric "EJ" Thomas - DT
Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina

Ziyyon Bredell - CB
BC, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Pitt, WVU

Darien Williams - ATH
Colorado, BC, Pitt, Penn St., Purdue, Vanderbilt

Gabe Daniels - WR
Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kansas St, NC St., Wake Forest

Elijah Crawford - DL
Indiana, Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, WVU

Darius Johnson - WR
Auburn, Arkansas, SMU, WVU

Matthew Hawn - OL
BC, Duke, Pitt, Rutgers

Skylar Harvey - OL
BC, Pitt, Virginia Tech

Rayshon Andrews - S
BC, Penn St., Oregon St.

DeAngelo Thompson - DE
Kentucky, Virginia Tech

I've like that we've built up the 'under belly of the team' between last year and this. I think the class is solid based on size, speed and offers.

Spot on. This is great work and goes to why the Staff is a lot higher on this class than the naysayers on the board. They think it's a much better class than where it's rated and they did a lot better than they expected.

A lot of these guys were early takes and folks the staff really wanted, too. They weren't just taking flyers left and right. They ID'ed what they wanted.

I'd expect some to make an impact this year and also looking forward to seeing guys from last year who didn't play yet. These two years will form a nice nucleus for us going forward.

 

[orangemass]

Boston College, N Carolina, Duke, Pittsburgh, SMU, I think they split with Tennessee and ND (Especially if Freeman goes to the NFL), and can beat Miami (Carson Beck is EXTREMELY OVERRATED!!!)

A spilt with tenny and nd would be a
Long shot. But I’d take it

 

[baggerbob]

A spilt with tenny and nd would be a
Long shot. But I’d take it

I wouldn't be surprised if maybe Notre Dame replaces Syracuse with Stanford.
Possibly an easier game and they have a tradition with Stanford that they don't have with us

 

[vegasnick]

farnsworth let’s lock this wager in

 

[farnsworth]

farnsworth let’s lock this wager in

I'm happy to! You can DM me, but fair warning I'm just arbing you against Vegas when their number comes in at like 5.5.

I thought this board was for objective analysis of Syracuse football, but I am now realizing it's somewhere between team cheerleaders and absolute fantasy land.

Example of objective analysis:
"Our last 2 classes are improved but they are still young. It'll be tough to scrape together 6-6 against this schedule. Here's why ..."

Example of team cheerleader:
"I expect 8+ wins because it's Fran Brown."

Examples of absolute fantasy land:
"Recruiting rankings don't matter."
"There is a giant conspiracy on behalf of Briah Dohn (and somehow 247, On3, ESPN, and Rivals) to underrate our class and somehow give completely unwarranted 5 stars to the guys going to UGA and Bama, despite the fact that UGA and Bama make the playoffs every year with said completely overrated 5 star recruits."
"Fran Brown knows our class is criminally underrated." -- This one to me is actually the funniest because it not only implies that the recruiting sites have no idea what they are talking about, but it also implies that all of the head coaches at all of the football factories have absolutely no idea what they are doing because they chose not to offer all of our "hidden 4 and 5 star talent" other than Samuel and Gillians.

I bid you adieu to tend to your fantasy land. I am sure nobody will miss me.

 

[All4SU]

farnsworth let’s lock this wager in

I’ve got $10 on Sean Thornton.

 

[vegasnick]

I'm happy to! You can DM me, but fair warning I'm just arbing you against Vegas when their number comes in at like 5.5.

I thought this board was for objective analysis of Syracuse football, but I am now realizing it's somewhere between team cheerleaders and absolute fantasy land.

Example of objective analysis:
"Our last 2 classes are improved but they are still young. It'll be tough to scrape together 6-6 against this schedule. Here's why ..."

Example of team cheerleader:
"I expect 8+ wins because it's Fran Brown."

Examples of absolute fantasy land:
"Recruiting rankings don't matter."
"There is a giant conspiracy on behalf of Briah Dohn (and somehow 247, On3, ESPN, and Rivals) to underrate our class and somehow give completely unwarranted 5 stars to the guys going to UGA and Bama, despite the fact that UGA and Bama make the playoffs every year with said completely overrated 5 star recruits."
"Fran Brown knows our class is criminally underrated." -- This one to me is actually the funniest because it not only implies that the recruiting sites have no idea what they are talking about, but it also implies that all of the head coaches at all of the football factories have absolutely no idea what they are doing because they chose not to offer all of our "hidden 4 and 5 star talent" other than Samuel and Gillians.

I bid you adieu to tend to your fantasy land. I am sure nobody will miss me.

Objective analysis or negativity and pessimism?

I can tell you’re clearly in the fantasy land- did you have to google the term “arbing”? I’ll let you take the Vegas line if you think you can find it that low. I meanwhile will continue to root, donate, and be active in Orange Nation.

I finally agree with you on one thing- I for one will not miss your negativity.

Best,

 

[orangemass]

I wouldn't be surprised if maybe Notre Dame replaces Syracuse with Stanford.
Possibly an easier game and they have a tradition with Stanford that they don't have with us

Yes please

 

[SuFTW]

I wouldn't be surprised if maybe Notre Dame replaces Syracuse with Stanford.
Possibly an easier game and they have a tradition with Stanford that they don't have with us

I am sure it’s not Notre Dame’s decision alone, it would have to be in conjunction with the ACC.
But you do bring up the point that the new league additions are not part of the planned slate of ACC - Notre Dame games so it is possible some future changes are made.

ACC announces Notre Dame football opponents through 2037

The ACC has officially announced the future football opponents for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish through the 2037 season.

fbschedules.com

 

[suorange08]

Boston College, N Carolina, Duke, Pittsburgh, SMU, I think they split with Tennessee and ND (Especially if Freeman goes to the NFL), and can beat Miami (Carson Beck is EXTREMELY OVERRATED!!!)

You expect us to go and win @SMU, @Miami and @ ND!?

Without McCord this year we don't get 7 wins. UNLV, VT and Miami are easy losses. At best we would be 6-6, yet you think without him, LQA and OG2 that we'll beat TN or ND!

You really need to send everyone what you're smoking.

 

[suorange08]

I'm happy to! You can DM me, but fair warning I'm just arbing you against Vegas when their number comes in at like 5.5.

I thought this board was for objective analysis of Syracuse football, but I am now realizing it's somewhere between team cheerleaders and absolute fantasy land.

Example of objective analysis:
"Our last 2 classes are improved but they are still young. It'll be tough to scrape together 6-6 against this schedule. Here's why ..."

Example of team cheerleader:
"I expect 8+ wins because it's Fran Brown."

Examples of absolute fantasy land:
"Recruiting rankings don't matter."
"There is a giant conspiracy on behalf of Briah Dohn (and somehow 247, On3, ESPN, and Rivals) to underrate our class and somehow give completely unwarranted 5 stars to the guys going to UGA and Bama, despite the fact that UGA and Bama make the playoffs every year with said completely overrated 5 star recruits."
"Fran Brown knows our class is criminally underrated." -- This one to me is actually the funniest because it not only implies that the recruiting sites have no idea what they are talking about, but it also implies that all of the head coaches at all of the football factories have absolutely no idea what they are doing because they chose not to offer all of our "hidden 4 and 5 star talent" other than Samuel and Gillians.

I bid you adieu to tend to your fantasy land. I am sure nobody will miss me.

Yeah this is shades of 2018 with Dino all over again... we got 10 wins so we're amazing and all of our recruits are so underrated.

It's incredible how the starving for success this fanbase has, moves them into a hivemind/blind-faith fantasy when we get any of it. Coach is infallible and we're just negative. Any questioning at all is met with force.

Would love to see 6+ wins this season though it's tough to realistically see it.

 

[vegasnick]

Yeah this is shades of 2018 with Dino all over again... we got 10 wins so we're amazing and all of our recruits are so underrated.

It's incredible how the starving for success this fanbase has, moves them into a hivemind/blind-faith fantasy when we get any of it. Coach is infallible and we're just negative. Any questioning at all is met with force.

Would love to see 6+ wins this season though it's tough to realistically see it.

I’m not struggling for anything- let’s get that out of the way first.

That said, I’ve watch a lot of football and played collegiate so I know just a little about the sport. I also have close ties to the program.

Unless your dumb, blind, or ignorant you cannot justify comparing anything from this teams current status and anything Dino Babers did.

I never once supported Dino’s recruiting classes or over inflated what the realism was. Why, it was never worth it!

I know what true talent is, I know how coaching develops talent, and I know what culture does.

Here’s the bottom line- I bit on all the negative bull with predictions but realistically you can’t give an honest assessment or prediction until the week before you kick off. That said- it’s much more likely this team finishes with 8 wins than it does fewer than 6!

I don’t care about the schedule on paper- I look much deeper at it. Tennessee was a very inconsistent team last year and to me that shows a combination of coaching and lack of culture (did you see those things mentioned earlier?). Cristabol is a JOKE, and ALWAYS buckles as seasons progress. I’m not going to waste time to go game by game to appease negativity.

I’ll leave it at this- don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy what Syracuse has- it’s something much bigger than some fans realize!

 

[vegasnick]

You expect us to go and win @SMU, @Miami and @ ND!?

Without McCord this year we don't get 7 wins. UNLV, VT and Miami are easy losses. At best we would be 6-6, yet you think without him, LQA and OG2 that we'll beat TN or ND!

You really need to send everyone what you're smoking.

Do me a favor- book mark this and talk to me next December. We shall see

 

[anomander]

I’m not struggling for anything- let’s get that out of the way first.

That said, I’ve watch a lot of football and played collegiate so I know just a little about the sport. I also have close ties to the program.

Unless your dumb, blind, or ignorant you cannot justify comparing anything from this teams current status and anything Dino Babers did.

I never once supported Dino’s recruiting classes or over inflated what the realism was. Why, it was never worth it!

I know what true talent is, I know how coaching develops talent, and I know what culture does.

Here’s the bottom line- I bit on all the negative bull with predictions but realistically you can’t give an honest assessment or prediction until the week before you kick off. That said- it’s much more likely this team finishes with 8 wins than it does fewer than 6!

I don’t care about the schedule on paper- I look much deeper at it. Tennessee was a very inconsistent team last year and to me that shows a combination of coaching and lack of culture (did you see those things mentioned earlier?). Cristabol is a JOKE, and ALWAYS buckles as seasons progress. I’m not going to waste time to go game by game to appease negativity.

I’ll leave it at this- don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy what Syracuse has- it’s something much bigger than some fans realize!

Thank you for enlightening us all with your presence!