Worst Roster Since When?

[MamesJungro]

He was only a true freshmen? What do you want?

Obviously, I want him to be an All-ACC player, but to win games now, we need more current All-ACC players. I was pointing out that our arguably best defensive player graded out as a mid-tier linebacker, underscoring our gap in top-end talent.

The broader point of this thread is my genuine surprise that, in year three under Fran, the talent gap seems to be widening. Hopefully, I’m wrong, and there are six or seven NFL-guys players on campus who are ready to contribute, but I would love to know who everyone thinks they are

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Because that’s historically true for most teams with mostly 3 star recruits. That’s what the data shows it’s not based on my “feelings”.

So you don’t actually have any real insight—you’re just leaning on data that didn’t even apply to us last year, when more than two or three true freshmen played meaningful, impactful roles. And it’s not just us either; I can name multiple other teams where the same thing happened. On top of that, you didn’t even rebut anything I said—you just kept saying “data” without addressing the actual points.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Obviously, I want him to be an All-ACC player, but to win games now, we need more current All-ACC players. I was pointing out that our arguably best defensive player graded out as a mid-tier linebacker, underscoring our gap in top-end talent.

The broader point of this thread is my genuine surprise that, in year three under Fran, the talent gap seems to be widening. Hopefully, I’m wrong, and there are six or seven NFL-guys players on campus who are ready to contribute, but I would love to know who everyone thinks they are

Samuels , AD, Steve , Perry , Peal, Tremble for sure we will see who else will have break out years next year.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

This is why for a team on a budget like Syracuse, the bulk of the spending should be done in the portal, NOT on high school classes. I know the portal prices are higher but you cannot be spending as much as we are on 20+ players (all the freshmen save 2 or 3) that are non-contributors every year. If we completely ditched the 20+ non contributing freshmen that's at least 5-7 very good all conference G5 players. I'd rather have those guys as starters and 1-2 star recruits warming the bench for free instead of expensive high 3 star freshmen warming the bench.

Sure we could go 6-6 or even 7-5 if things pan out, but the current strategy we are using the upside is very limited.

I know we keep saying "yeah we lost almost the entire 2024 high school class but wait for the 2025 guys." At this time next year we will be saying "yeah we lost almost the entire 2025 high school class, but wait for the great 2026 guys to develop!" It doesn't appear as though we even have enough money to retain these great recruiting classes and we're using the excuse of "well Fran didn't want them here anyway." Fran says a LOT of things for marketing purposes.

That’s still not even true we have more true freshmen and redshirt freshmen contributing than 2 or 3.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Yes, and they're everywhere. Just look at the wall behind you and whip out your studfinder.

?

 

[SuFTW]

?

 

[PAcuse]

Angeli, Mack, Washington, Russell, Adeleye, Keyshawn Johnson, AD, Tremble, Peal, Samuels are all dudes I would say are studs. That doesn’t include guys that are gonna get better this off-season that are also going to end up breaking out this year.

Cole Weaver, Ahmad Miller, Flounoy, Fontus, Nasir Ward, both Kerr twins, Outten, Noah Meyers, D’appoloni, Joe Cruz, Kahlil Stewart, Rodgers and Wilson on the end. Amare Gough, Darien Williams, Rayshon Andrews, Nissi, Nyandoro, Hughes (if he’s healthy), Juju Johnson.
All these guys are set up to have good seasons and potential break out years. Not saying they all do. But I bet most of these guys come in and contribute in big ways this season. The coaching staff loves a lot of these guys. I expect the guys that I listed that are just coming into the program to make big impacts. And the guys already in the program that I listed, to take big steps forward. And there’s always a few guys every year that come out of nowhere and play good

You are onto solid points, pump the breaks on the Kerrs a bit...one is unproven and Davien had a huge drop off from Freshman year. They both will need to put alot together quickly.

 

[qdawgg]

So you don’t actually have any real insight—you’re just leaning on data that didn’t even apply to us last year, when more than two or three true freshmen played meaningful, impactful roles. And it’s not just us either; I can name multiple other teams where the same thing happened. On top of that, you didn’t even rebut anything I said—you just kept saying “data” without addressing the actual points.

If actual “data” doesn’t provide you enough insight than that’s on you.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

If actual “data” doesn’t provide you enough insight than that’s on you.

Watching players who were true freshman contribute on the team last year showed me? Did you watch Syracuse football last year?

 

[Cusefan69]

Not asking him to rush for 100 yards. I am asking him to run through the hole created by the OL to get 1 yard for the first down.

The hole created with 8 in the box? You make it sound like it he did that ten times a game. No matter. Not something I am looking to have a long discussion about...cheers!

 

[ImperialOrange]

Good lord, why is everyone calling me a schmuck? I was bored at work and trying to get a conversation going. Mea culpa on the ratings, it was 2025 when we finished last in the ACC. This year, as several of you noted, we’re closer to 40.

That said, my point still stands. Do we have any preseason All-ACC players? Maybe, if you really squint, Samuels or Peal. We’re a developmental program that just fired several coaches tied to player development and turned over most of the 2022–2024 classes. In the NIL era, what’s the track record of relying on largely anonymous 18- and 19-year-olds while lining up against older, better-recruited, better-paid rosters?

I don’t post much, but I’ve been on this board since the AOL days. After watching 20 years of mostly cellar-dwelling awfulness, it’s frustrating to think we finally had a glimmer of hope, only to watch the door get slammed shut by Indiana, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and whatever other program happens to have a billionaire alum this cycle.

We were 10th in 2025, 11th last year and 6th in 2024 (thanks Kyle and Fadil!) in transfers. It's an interesting topic but you lose any traction when you start off factually inaccurate for what a 60 second Google search could net you.

We certainly need more players that are ready game 1 next season vs last. I think we have done so but no way we'll know until game 1 next season.