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

[OrangeXtreme]

Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell III became Syracuse’s highest-ranked commit in two decades at his Saturday night birthday party.

Fran Brown outdid Michigan, Oregon — which beat him for New York’s top player in June — and ACC rival Florida State.

Apparently, Brown had the battle won for days.

“I’m not going to lie, I made [my decision] a couple of days ago,” Russell told recruiting website Rivals at the party. “Michigan came close, but Coach Fran, the individual he is, how he was raised, I feel it. How he carries himself, the men I was raised around are similar to him, that’s why I want to be there.”

Russell said his recruitment is finished.

Russell also confirmed he will be playing basketball for the Orange, which was big in his recruitment to both Syracuse and Michigan.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[richmondcuse03]

So did this guy have it right?

No. Those are made up numbers.

 

[Bulldog04]

Honestly a big congrats to Coach Red on this too. He kept this whole thing super quiet and clearly Calvin will be playing on the bball team too. This helps with recruiting as well and the fact Fran and Red teamed up to make this happen shows what’s happening internally too. This is all just a home run all around for both programs

 

[Scotch]

And thanks again to John Wildhack for having the balls and judgement to go down a road less traveled.

I think about this often. No Wildhack, no Fran.

 

[qdawgg]

I think about this often. No Wildhack, no Fran.

Exactly. I don’t think anyone else in D1 would have made him a HC at that point in his career and considering where the program was at. Thrown in the fear of falling behind even more as the arms race was exponentially increasing. Incredible ability to realize who Fran really was and what he could do considering the risk.

 

[Ozone!]

Calvin,​

 

[cuseallday]

Just checking in, family: did this thread explode yet? Sunday Funday! Oh, and just an FYI, a source confirmed Calvin is playing hoops, too.

 

[CuseFan]

All your 5 ***** belong to us !


thank you Calvin and Fran !

 

[Scotch]

Exactly. I don’t think anyone else in D1 would have made him a HC at that point in his career and considering where the program was at. Thrown in the fear of falling behind even more as the arms race was exponentially increasing. Incredible ability to realize who Fran really was and what he could do considering the risk.

Totally. Plus the foresight to realize a program like ours needed to take a big swing. A conventional hire isn't going to transform a struggling program with limited resources. He saw that we had to take the risk.

 

[Melancer46]

Me explaining to my half asleep pregnant wife how this changes everything

My wife explained in very specific terms how much she still hates football so I gave up and had another glass of scotch.

 

[Melancer46]

And thanks again to John Wildhack for having the balls and judgement to go down a road less traveled.

I have no idea if I commented on it here, but when it became apparent that Fran was a serious contender for the job, I was thinking "Man he must have been freaking incredible in interviews to get the job with his relative lack of experience." It takes a special charisma to pull that off and I think it's apparent we're reaping the benefits of that here.

 

[Scooch]

I don't follow recruiting in any depth, but man, this is such incredible news. Congrats to everyone who was involved in landing this guy. Giant step for the program.

 

[Toga]

I have no idea if I commented on it here, but when it became apparent that Fran was a serious contender for the job, I was thinking "Man he must have been freaking incredible in interviews to get the job with his relative lack of experience." It takes a special charisma to pull that off and I think it's apparent we're reaping the benefits of that here.

I remember reading that Fran and Wildhack had like 70 phone calls before it happened.

 

[OburgOrange]

This can’t be true. I was told it is near impossible to recruit to Syracuse. Multiple excuses. The weather, the facilities, resources, blah blah blah.

Just shows you what making the right hire can do.

 

[mark79]

My wife explained in very specific terms how much she still hates football so I gave up and had another glass of scotch.

This morning?

 

[SUalldway]

We have no shot with any of these high level recruits. It's just hopium at this point on the forums. You can offer dudes the world but it's all about the money and CUSE never has or had any to compete with top programs like Michigan. Nice to dream i guess.

I guess you didn't have a good day yesterday with this prediction and your Bayern Munich boys!

 

[bnoro]

Going to read through the 30 pages I missed later today. But man, oh man.

Fran is truly the best recruiter in the country and that is not up for debate. This is a program-changing recruit. What an statement.

Also, huge shoutout to richmondcuse03, give that man his flowers because he really put his neck out there.

 

[Melancer46]

This morning?

No absolutely not lol I will be partaking in some espresso soon.

We were out at a friend's house last night when the scotch came out.

 

[Irt4su]

I have no idea if I commented on it here, but when it became apparent that Fran was a serious contender for the job, I was thinking "Man he must have been freaking incredible in interviews to get the job with his relative lack of experience." It takes a special charisma to pull that off and I think it's apparent we're reaping the benefits of that here.

I think Fran recruited John

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[mark79]

No Michigan, you can’t retweet.

 

[Qbobby]

Going to read through the 30 pages I missed later today. But man, oh man.

Fran is truly the best recruiter in the country and that is not up for debate. This is a program-changing recruit. What an statement.

Also, huge shoutout to richmondcuse03, give that man his flowers because he really put his neck out there.

Enjoy the read, it was quite a ride.

 

[normaliswear]

Anyone know how highly he is thought of as a basketball recruit? Are we talking about nice side story walk on level player? Or someone who could actually contribute?

 

[RF2044]

Anyone know how highly he is thought of as a basketball recruit? Are we talking about nice side story walk on level player? Or someone who could actually contribute?

Had 38 points and 19 rebounds in a Florida state playoff game last year.