Class of 2026 WR Calvin Russell (FL) COMMITTED/SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (7/5/25)

[Ttk.gman2]

Love that we were able to hang onto CR, but the elephant in the room is that somebody has to be able to get him the ball. I am comfortable viewing Angeli as the projected starter. He put up big numbers before he got hurt, but can he be ready at day 1 ? Will he be able to pickup where he left off ? Legitimate reasons for optimism, but he will have to prove it on the field, assuming he gets back onto the field on schedule. CANNOT have another season with total incompetence from the revolving door # 2 guy. Absolutely have to bring in somebody proven from the portal. I doubt we can attract somebody who can legitimately compete with Steve for the #1 guy, but there has to be capable guys from lower levels who would like a crack if given the opportunity and can at least be competent when they play.

Nobody expected Rikki to be the dud that he was, but he had no experience and was a big question mark. Need somebody who has gotten it done and has some experience. Have to learn from hindsight.

He’s already throwing the ball and is actually two weeks ahead of schedule. Fran has said in interviews that he’ll be ready for spring ball, and will participate in some capacity but he’ll be in a black non-contact jersey. Fran also confirmed in those interviews that we’re bringing in two quarterbacks from the portal.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Absolutely, he’ll most likely be a top WR for us

Not to be that guy, but we already have some posters saying he isn't physically ready to play a big role in year 1. 99% of freshmen aren't. Is he that 1%? Heck, y'all are already saying he needs to hit the weight room.

And remember folks, we'll have to do this thread every year around this time, waiting for him to announce that he's staying or leaving.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

View attachment 257744

 

[swish7]

Class 3A Football Bracket - Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A Football Bracket - Florida High School Athletic Association

 

[qdawgg]

Not to be that guy, but we already have some posters saying he isn't physically ready to play a big role in year 1. 99% of freshmen aren't. Is he that 1%? Heck, y'all are already saying he needs to hit the weight room.

And remember folks, we'll have to do this thread every year around this time, waiting for him to announce that he's staying or leaving.

In fairness that’s partially what a 5 star ranking is. Physically able already to contribute at the college level. That’s why the amount of kids deemed a 5 star is so low. They aren’t development players. Now, does that mean he comes in and is successful, who the hell knows. That’s like any 1st pick NFL QB bust or HC bust. It’s always a crap shoot but the chances a 5 star plays at a high level is still significantly greater than a 3 star

 

[IthacaBarrel]

In fairness that’s partially what a 5 star ranking is. Physically able already to contribute at the college level. That’s why the amount of kids deemed a 5 star is so low. They aren’t development players. Now, does that mean he comes in and is successful, who the hell knows. That’s like any 1st pick NFL QB bust or HC bust. It’s always a crap shoot but the chances a 5 star plays at a high level is still significantly greater than a 3 star

100%, especially at the WR, DB, and RB spots

 

[Chip]

100%, especially at the WR, DB, and RB spots

Yep, it's the line of scrimmage on both sides that I wouldn't ever want to rely on players that young. Watson played well, but too much college level strength training goes into those positions.

 

[Sudano]

How can you say that? You're wrong just eat crow and be man enough to admit it!

You are too simple to understand our interaction. It had nothing to do if he signed with us or not, it was a debate on the poster saying that the reason to delay 2 days was some big planned orchestrated beneficial PR stunt.
I said he has no idea if that was the case (which he admitted saying 'it's just my opinion') and even if it was it was there was no significant benefit to anyone. It was just a kid making sure. I even stated as much saying 'if he signed with us on a Wed or Friday' there is no difference in 'brand value'. Man up and admit you should not be on this forum unsupervised.

 

[Jake]

Yep, it's the line of scrimmage on both sides that I wouldn't ever want to rely on players that young. Watson played well, but too much college level strength training goes into those positions.

What’s the saying? The further away from the ball at snap, the easier to get on the field…

 

[Van1144]

Kelly left Cincinnati 16 years ago. I don’t think any Karma from that is affecting LSU.

I brought that up as Cincy would have been a CFP team if it was in place at that time and Dog Kelly would have left them even then. You can't say Ole Miss doesn't have a shot, a very good one at that in winning it. That has to be greatly reduced now and you know the CFP will down grade them as well because of it. Let's say we go 11-1 next year and Fran dumps us just before the ACC title game, think that is right for the fans and the players that paid and supported that coach! No reason they can't wait, it's all about flipping recruits!

 

[FrancoPizza]

Last 5-star WR we had got on the field for like 3 plays his freshman year.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Safety you say? 2 way player?

 

[Ttk.gman2]

 

[Toga]

Here we go

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Calvin at safety is very intriguing

 

[MadNY3]

Calvin at safety is very intriguing

On Hail Mary Defense, yes.

 

[CbusCuse]

Not to be that guy, but we already have some posters saying he isn't physically ready to play a big role in year 1. 99% of freshmen aren't. Is he that 1%? Heck, y'all are already saying he needs to hit the weight room.

And remember folks, we'll have to do this thread every year around this time, waiting for him to announce that he's staying or leaving.

Last 5-star WR we had got on the field for like 3 plays his freshman year.

Always bringing that sunshine to the board Franco.

We signed a 5 star 6’-5” or 6’-6” uber athletic WR from a powerhouse Florida school. Why the need to try to go out of your way to somehow throw shade on it?

 

[BillSU]

COMMITTED/SIGNED TO SYRACUSE!!!! 12/5/2025
UPDATED: FROM 5/23 HE MUST HAVE EXPLODED FROM WHAT I SAW ON NOV 5 /23 FILM I SAW HE WAS A QB DECENT SPEED THREW WELL BUT NOW:
Russell is a five-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #21 player in the 2026 class, the #3 WR and the #2 player in the state of Florida. Russell currently attends Northwestern High School in Miami, FL.
“BREAKING: Elite 2026 WR Calvin Russell will announce his Commitment July 5th between these 8 Schools, he tells me for @On3Recruits,” Hayes Fawcett said in a post. “The 6’5 195 WR from Opa Locka, FL is ranked as the No. 4 WR in the ‘26 Class (per On3 Industry).”

OFFERED> CALVIN RUSSELL MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, MIAMI FL
#5 6' 5.5" 195 WR

ASSETS PER HUDL FILM:

FAST 40N/A EST 4.4 HIGH
EXC HANDS
CATCHES EVERYTHING THROWN TO HIM
ELUSIVE
QUICK
GREAT JUKES
RUNS GREAT ROUTES
GREAT WIDE RECEIVER

EXCELLENT OFFER

 

[FrancoPizza]

Always bringing that sunshine to the board Franco.

We signed a 5 star 6’-5” or 6’-6” uber athletic WR from a powerhouse Florida school. Why the need to try to go out of your way to somehow throw shade on it?

Shade? Seriously? I’m trying to be realistic about how much a true freshman will make an impact, especially at a position where he’d have to beat out some talented, more experienced dudes. Samuels played a lot because we literally had no depth at corner.

Johnnie Morant was mentioned because he was the most recent WR recruit with similar hype. To be fair, I think Deleone’s 300-page playbook played an oversized role in keeping him benched. And such a playbook would not fly in this era where you can’t expect most of your roster to be here 4 years.

I think we’ll see Russell in a Jamie Tremble role, getting more snaps as the season wears on. Just hope he earns everything despite the $$$ situation.

 

[GoSU96]

Calvin at safety is very intriguing

Not really

 

[Trueblue25]

Id imagine he’s WR only and plays basketball

 

[shu 49]

Not to be that guy, but we already have some posters saying he isn't physically ready to play a big role in year 1. 99% of freshmen aren't. Is he that 1%? Heck, y'all are already saying he needs to hit the weight room.

And remember folks, we'll have to do this thread every year around this time, waiting for him to announce that he's staying or leaving.

As I have watched, all freshman need the weight room. You go against hs kids and then grown ass men in all positions. I feel receiver may be the least strength matters in but it does either way. I keep my expectations low even with a high level guy like him early till he proves himself to coaches and qb’s.

 

[721Comstock]

As I have watched, all freshman need the weight room. You go against hs kids and then grown ass men in all positions. I feel receiver may be the least strength matters in but it does either way. I keep my expectations low even with a high level guy like him early till he proves himself to coaches and qb’s.

Yes, but - we have seen many true Frosh WR’s who were not jacked have great success early in their careers.

Taj Harris rewrote the Cuse Frosh WR record book, and that was without even starting for the first FIVE games of his career.

And he was skinny AF.
6’2” 170 (supposedly)

Also played some QB in HS.

CRIII has 3-4” and 20-30 lbs on Taj coming in.
As well as being a 5* vs a 3* croot.

And given his Jan enrollment, there’s no reason he can’t be an impactful player for us starting Game One.

 

[Ozone!]

This, This, This. A thousand times this.
As dismal as the season was, Fran held onto that stellar class by...I don't know how.
Force of personality. Inspiring recruits to focuson a bigger picture. Being authentic.

Don't think for an instant this season didn't weigh mightily on Fran, causing him to question himself and his methods. He has, and will learn from this and we're going to be the privileged fans getting to watch it all play out. He will revamp, retool and re-cruit. Really wish'em all the best. Hope a winning culture can take root with Fran's unmistakable stamp all over it. Something that can transcend the miasma that is currently the state of CFB.
Well, that's my morning philosophic take. LGO!

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Yes, but - we have seen many true Frosh WR’s who were not jacked have great success early in their careers.

Taj Harris rewrote the Cuse Frosh WR record book, and that was without even starting for the first FIVE games of his career.

And he was skinny AF.
6’2” 170 (supposedly)

Also played some QB in HS.

CRIII has 3-4” and 20-30 lbs on Taj coming in.
As well as being a 5* vs a 3* croot.

And given his Jan enrollment, there’s no reason he can’t be an impactful player for us starting Game One.

Calvin is about to go through his first full college offseason, and that alone is going to transform his body. With real strength training, nutrition, and a structured development plan, he’s naturally going to add good weight, muscle, and functional strength. The physical side won’t be an issue — it’s just part of the college process. From there, the main focus becomes refining his route running and polishing the technical details of his game. His ceiling is massive; he’s the kind of athlete who can make a Jeremiah Smith or Malachi Toney type of impact as a true freshman. Even his floor, in my opinion, is still solid — WR3 or WR4 right away. He’s too talented, too explosive, and too competitive for weight or strength to hold him back