Class of 2023 - DB Jai Eugene Jr. (LA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (1/16/26) | Page 2 | Syracusefan.com

Class of 2023 DB Jai Eugene Jr. (LA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (1/16/26)

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Nice! We needed another safety option.
From that video posted above and looking at stats it appears like he played a fair amount but didn’t really get starter snaps. He finaly got that chance in their bowl game and had a heck of a game. Welcome Jai!
 
JAI EUGENE TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE 1/16/26
#26 6'1" 202 S

download - 2026-01-19T154219.312.jpg

While DB Jai Eugene Jr. transferred to Syracuse from Western Kentucky in January 2026, his official 40-yard dash time isn't widely publicized on standard profiles like ESPN, but he's noted as a big, fast defensive back from Destrehan, LA, known for his athleticism, suggesting a strong time (likely in the low to mid-4.4s or better) for his size (6'1", 202 lbs), typical for top-tier talent in the SEC/ACC pipeline. Google
2024 (r-Fr.) | 11/0: Eugene appeared in 11 games during his first season on The Hill, primarily adding depth on special teams and at cornerback. He recorded three tackles on the season, with two coming against James Madison in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18.

Before WKU: Eugene appeared in one game during his lone season at Tulane. He recorded a tackle in the team’s win over Nicholls.


HS/Misc.: Eugene prepped at Destrehan High School in Louisiana, where he helped lead the program to an undefeated state title in 2022. He scored the go-ahead touchdown in the team’s state championship game, scrambling from his quarterback position for the score. He was named the District 7-5A Offensive MVP as a senior. Eugene also played basketball in high school. Jai Eugene Jr. - Football - Western Kentucky University Athletics
Syracuse continued to add players through the transfer portal Friday, with the latest being Western Kentucky defensive back Jai Eugene Jr, 247Sports reported Friday. Eugene played 10 games in 2025 and produced 21 tackles, five pass deflections and 0.5 sacks.

Eugene started his career at Tulane, where he played just one game and redshirted in 2023. He then transferred to WKU, totaling 24 tackles over two seasons. He’ll have two years of eligibility left when he joins the Orange.

He follows two Hilltopper teammates — Nazir Ward and Noah Meyers — to Syracuse. Both Ward and Eugene’s transfers will help strengthen a secondary that lost starting safeties Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut to graduation but retained young pieces like Braheem Long Jr. and freshman phenom
Demetres Samuel Jr. https://dailyorange.com/2026/01/syracuse-football-defensive-back-jai-eugene-transfers/
 

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