2026 Potential Roster / Portal Entries | Page 3 | Syracusefan.com

2026 Potential Roster / Portal Entries

Can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m worried about this 2026 recurring class falling apart. Losing gough, grant, Alex , Hughes , or Calvin Russell . Any of those guys leaving hurts man and makes the future more bleak for me.
 
tptcuse said:
Gary Bryant seemed to be indicating he would be back in the player interviews yesterday. Seems like crickets on Deslauriers so far?
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I think Deslautiers is sadly gone. I think he can be a elite green dot LB but yea he will get the bag at a top SEC school or Big 10.
 
www.syracuse.com

Veteran wide receiver says he’ll return to Syracuse in 2026

The junior has had back-to-back 500-yard seasons and says he will return for his final season of eligibility.
www.syracuse.com www.syracuse.com

Gill said he has joined Angeli, Cook and sophomore running back Yasin Willis in conversations about preparing for next season. All four said the biggest thing is getting Syracuse’s new players assimilated faster than they did in 2025.

Gill said he thinks Syracuse took too long to get prepared for the season. Now that the offense will have its core players returning, though, he thinks spring ball will be more productive.

“We already know the structure now,” Gill said. “We already know how it’s not supposed to be and how to work. Like Coach Fran always says, we know how to work from all the seniors this year. Nobody will be able to stop us.”

Cook shared the same sentiment about spring practices and said he believes Syracuse would have competed for an ACC championship if Angeli were healthy.

Cook did not, however, commit to returning next season when asked Tuesday.

He said he will meet with Brown next week and let his agent handle “the business” side of the discussions.

Cook said he feels as though he’s gotten everything he’s wanted out of Syracuse in 2024 and that Brown has kept his word about everything.

Both Gill and Cook have NFL aspirations, and they both have been pleased with Josh Gattis replacing Myles White as Syracuse’s wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator.
Gattis recruited Cook out of high school, and both Gill and Cook credited Gattis for his meticulous attention to detail.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Cook said. “He looks at me in the same light as Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, Nico Collins. And he coaches me in the same light as those guys because he sees some of the same qualities.”

Gill now joins Angeli, Willis, freshman guard Byron Washington and freshman cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. as players who have confirmed their plans to return to Syracuse next year.
 
djorange1989 said:
I hope so, he is on a short list of guys who we really need to stay (Angeli and Samuels to me are the other two absolute priorities). Obviously there are other dudes that I hope stay but it feels like these three are in their own category
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He’s not going anywhere. My earlier post was meant to be positive. Should have added a smiley face.
 
www.syracuse.com

Syracuse senior ‘unsatisfied’ with season, seeks NCAA waiver to play seventh year of college football

Will Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year.
www.syracuse.com www.syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse running back Will Nixon said he has applied for a medical hardship waiver with the NCAA that would allow him to play a seventh season of college football next year.

Nixon said that he expects the waiver to be approved and, if it is, he said he plans to play at Syracuse.

Football players traditionally have five years to play four full seasons of football. Playing in more than four regular-season games qualifies as a full season.

Waivers are often granted by the NCAA when injuries limit a player’s chance to play those four full seasons.

Nixon tore his ACL during his first year of college football and did not play in a game in 2020 for Nebraska. That was also a shortened-season due to the COVID pandemic.

Nixon took a traditional redshirt during his second season in 2021, then played two full seasons of football for Washington before suffering a Lisfranc injury in the third game of Syracuse’s season last year.

That makes the current season Nixon’s third full year of college football that he has completed.

Nixon said Syracuse’s compliance department was confident enough about him receiving a waiver that the school brought up the possibility to him last year. He does not know when he will receive a response from the NCAA.

Nixon will be 24 years old during the college football season next year. Syracuse’s oldest player this year was eighth-year player David Reese.

Playing a seventh year is a sudden change of course for Nixon. The running back said he came into this year expecting it to be his final season of college football.

He said he decided about three weeks ago that the current Syracuse season was not going to provide him a satisfying ending to his career and that he wanted to play another season.

"About three weeks ago, just with how the season was going,” Nixon said about when he decided he wanted to play college football next year. “Really, I’m just unsatisfied by how it went. You want to be with your team, playing in a big bowl game at the end of the year. Last year’s team did that, but I wasn’t able to play. That’s a big deal to me, to be part of that history.”

Syracuse is in the middle of a seven-game losing streak, with all of those losses coming by double-digits.

Despite those struggles, Nixon said he is confident that he can get the ending he is looking for in Syracuse.

“Coach Fran (Brown) has won two national titles,” Nixon said. “Obviously you know my dad is part of the coaching and has seen a lot of things over his career. I’m confident that the coaching staff will make any changes they need to.”

Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year with 381. Yasin Willis, the team’s rushing leader who was expected to be the team’s primary back, has played 323.

Willis’ numbers have been dampened by missing two games with injury and the Orange’s pass-heavy approach.

Willis is a powerful running back with the ball in his hands, while Nixon profiles better as a pass-catcher and third-down option out of the backfield.

Nixon is fourth on the Orange this year with 24 receptions, fifth with 172 receiving yards and second in rushing yards with 359.

He and Willis have now both said they plan to return to Syracuse, which would give the Orange the potential to bring back all of its production at the running back position.

Freshman Tylik Hill is currently third on the depth chart and has shown flashes of potential as a runner during his first year.

Pro Football Focus grades Nixon 14th among ACC running backs as receivers who have been targeted at least 10 times. Willis is 35thnd.

Nixon’s overall grade as a running back sits 43rd among running backs with at least 20 carries, while Willis is 29th.

Both have graded out below average this season as pass-blockers according to PFF, although Nixon has been especially poor, surrendering 10 quarterback pressures in 69 opportunities.

Nixon is the second Syracuse player who has indicated that they will apply for a medical hardship waiver this year.

Brown said earlier this year that linebacker Derek McDonald is seeking a waiver to play a sixth season of football and the coach hopes that it will be with Syracuse.

Tight end/defensive end Chase Simmons appears as if he would be a candidate for a waiver to play a sixth season as well, although his future plans are unknown.
 
OrangeXtreme said:
www.syracuse.com

Syracuse senior ‘unsatisfied’ with season, seeks NCAA waiver to play seventh year of college football

Will Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year.
www.syracuse.com www.syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse running back Will Nixon said he has applied for a medical hardship waiver with the NCAA that would allow him to play a seventh season of college football next year.

Nixon said that he expects the waiver to be approved and, if it is, he said he plans to play at Syracuse.

Football players traditionally have five years to play four full seasons of football. Playing in more than four regular-season games qualifies as a full season.

Waivers are often granted by the NCAA when injuries limit a player’s chance to play those four full seasons.

Nixon tore his ACL during his first year of college football and did not play in a game in 2020 for Nebraska. That was also a shortened-season due to the COVID pandemic.

Nixon took a traditional redshirt during his second season in 2021, then played two full seasons of football for Washington before suffering a Lisfranc injury in the third game of Syracuse’s season last year.

That makes the current season Nixon’s third full year of college football that he has completed.

Nixon said Syracuse’s compliance department was confident enough about him receiving a waiver that the school brought up the possibility to him last year. He does not know when he will receive a response from the NCAA.

Nixon will be 24 years old during the college football season next year. Syracuse’s oldest player this year was eighth-year player David Reese.

Playing a seventh year is a sudden change of course for Nixon. The running back said he came into this year expecting it to be his final season of college football.

He said he decided about three weeks ago that the current Syracuse season was not going to provide him a satisfying ending to his career and that he wanted to play another season.

"About three weeks ago, just with how the season was going,” Nixon said about when he decided he wanted to play college football next year. “Really, I’m just unsatisfied by how it went. You want to be with your team, playing in a big bowl game at the end of the year. Last year’s team did that, but I wasn’t able to play. That’s a big deal to me, to be part of that history.”

Syracuse is in the middle of a seven-game losing streak, with all of those losses coming by double-digits.

Despite those struggles, Nixon said he is confident that he can get the ending he is looking for in Syracuse.

“Coach Fran (Brown) has won two national titles,” Nixon said. “Obviously you know my dad is part of the coaching and has seen a lot of things over his career. I’m confident that the coaching staff will make any changes they need to.”

Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year with 381. Yasin Willis, the team’s rushing leader who was expected to be the team’s primary back, has played 323.

Willis’ numbers have been dampened by missing two games with injury and the Orange’s pass-heavy approach.

Willis is a powerful running back with the ball in his hands, while Nixon profiles better as a pass-catcher and third-down option out of the backfield.

Nixon is fourth on the Orange this year with 24 receptions, fifth with 172 receiving yards and second in rushing yards with 359.

He and Willis have now both said they plan to return to Syracuse, which would give the Orange the potential to bring back all of its production at the running back position.

Freshman Tylik Hill is currently third on the depth chart and has shown flashes of potential as a runner during his first year.

Pro Football Focus grades Nixon 14th among ACC running backs as receivers who have been targeted at least 10 times. Willis is 35thnd.

Nixon’s overall grade as a running back sits 43rd among running backs with at least 20 carries, while Willis is 29th.

Both have graded out below average this season as pass-blockers according to PFF, although Nixon has been especially poor, surrendering 10 quarterback pressures in 69 opportunities.

Nixon is the second Syracuse player who has indicated that they will apply for a medical hardship waiver this year.

Brown said earlier this year that linebacker Derek McDonald is seeking a waiver to play a sixth season of football and the coach hopes that it will be with Syracuse.

Tight end/defensive end Chase Simmons appears as if he would be a candidate for a waiver to play a sixth season as well, although his future plans are unknown.
Expand...
I'd love to have Nixon back. He's underrated.
 
OrangeXtreme said:
www.syracuse.com

Syracuse senior ‘unsatisfied’ with season, seeks NCAA waiver to play seventh year of college football

Will Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year.
www.syracuse.com www.syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse running back Will Nixon said he has applied for a medical hardship waiver with the NCAA that would allow him to play a seventh season of college football next year.

Nixon said that he expects the waiver to be approved and, if it is, he said he plans to play at Syracuse.

Football players traditionally have five years to play four full seasons of football. Playing in more than four regular-season games qualifies as a full season.

Waivers are often granted by the NCAA when injuries limit a player’s chance to play those four full seasons.

Nixon tore his ACL during his first year of college football and did not play in a game in 2020 for Nebraska. That was also a shortened-season due to the COVID pandemic.

Nixon took a traditional redshirt during his second season in 2021, then played two full seasons of football for Washington before suffering a Lisfranc injury in the third game of Syracuse’s season last year.

That makes the current season Nixon’s third full year of college football that he has completed.

Nixon said Syracuse’s compliance department was confident enough about him receiving a waiver that the school brought up the possibility to him last year. He does not know when he will receive a response from the NCAA.

Nixon will be 24 years old during the college football season next year. Syracuse’s oldest player this year was eighth-year player David Reese.

Playing a seventh year is a sudden change of course for Nixon. The running back said he came into this year expecting it to be his final season of college football.

He said he decided about three weeks ago that the current Syracuse season was not going to provide him a satisfying ending to his career and that he wanted to play another season.

"About three weeks ago, just with how the season was going,” Nixon said about when he decided he wanted to play college football next year. “Really, I’m just unsatisfied by how it went. You want to be with your team, playing in a big bowl game at the end of the year. Last year’s team did that, but I wasn’t able to play. That’s a big deal to me, to be part of that history.”

Syracuse is in the middle of a seven-game losing streak, with all of those losses coming by double-digits.

Despite those struggles, Nixon said he is confident that he can get the ending he is looking for in Syracuse.

“Coach Fran (Brown) has won two national titles,” Nixon said. “Obviously you know my dad is part of the coaching and has seen a lot of things over his career. I’m confident that the coaching staff will make any changes they need to.”

Nixon leads Syracuse in snaps played by a running back this year with 381. Yasin Willis, the team’s rushing leader who was expected to be the team’s primary back, has played 323.

Willis’ numbers have been dampened by missing two games with injury and the Orange’s pass-heavy approach.

Willis is a powerful running back with the ball in his hands, while Nixon profiles better as a pass-catcher and third-down option out of the backfield.

Nixon is fourth on the Orange this year with 24 receptions, fifth with 172 receiving yards and second in rushing yards with 359.

He and Willis have now both said they plan to return to Syracuse, which would give the Orange the potential to bring back all of its production at the running back position.

Freshman Tylik Hill is currently third on the depth chart and has shown flashes of potential as a runner during his first year.

Pro Football Focus grades Nixon 14th among ACC running backs as receivers who have been targeted at least 10 times. Willis is 35thnd.

Nixon’s overall grade as a running back sits 43rd among running backs with at least 20 carries, while Willis is 29th.

Both have graded out below average this season as pass-blockers according to PFF, although Nixon has been especially poor, surrendering 10 quarterback pressures in 69 opportunities.

Nixon is the second Syracuse player who has indicated that they will apply for a medical hardship waiver this year.

Brown said earlier this year that linebacker Derek McDonald is seeking a waiver to play a sixth season of football and the coach hopes that it will be with Syracuse.

Tight end/defensive end Chase Simmons appears as if he would be a candidate for a waiver to play a sixth season as well, although his future plans are unknown.
Expand...
I played 4 straight years on a college team. Graduated at 21. Senior season started when I was 20. I kept active after college and by 24-25, I was twice the athlete I was at 20-21. 4 prime years of development. It would've been a blast to play at 24-25 years old! Sure back in the day a few older guys popped up here and there but it was rare. Medical redshirts used to give an extra year. Now? 3-4 years of extra eligibility? It’s a different game. This isn’t college ball anymore it’s professional sports in disguise. And honestly I feel cheated.
 
Comstock44 said:
I played 4 straight years on a college team. Graduated at 21. Senior season started when I was 20. I kept active after college and by 24-25, I was twice the athlete I was at 20-21. 4 prime years of development. It would've been a blast to play at 24-25 years old! Sure back in the day a few older guys popped up here and there but it was rare. Medical redshirts used to give an extra year. Now? 3-4 years of extra eligibility? It’s a different game. This isn’t college ball anymore it’s professional sports in disguise. And honestly I feel cheated.
Expand...
At least you aren't bitter.
 

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