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

[Ttk.gman2]

I think its a bit exaggerated to say Russell would start for us right now at QB. He is not polished enough as a passer, but he does look pretty solid.

I didn't think those specific WR catches shown were anything too amazing. That said, I think the WR that caught the first one is Nick Lennear who is a 5 star WR in the 2027 class, who we are recruiting. Believe he was a visitor at SU with Calvin for the Miami game. Would love to get that kid.

Class of 2027 - WR Nick Lennear (FL)

The first one was nice with the broken tackle

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Rivals dropped Calvin again in their latest rankings — all the way outside the top 200. It’s ridiculous. You basically get punished for not committing to a big-name school. Meanwhile, his industry ranking is still around 45 when you combine ESPN, Rivals, and 247. That tells you everything about who’s actually evaluating the tape versus who’s chasing clicks.

 

[FrancoPizza]

I think its a bit exaggerated to say Russell would start for us right now at QB. He is not polished enough as a passer, but he does look pretty solid.

The ball was within 5 yards of the receiver, and catchable, which is more than we can say for the QBs on the current roster not wearing a boot.

 

[cuseallday]

Rivals dropped Calvin again in their latest rankings — all the way outside the top 200. It’s ridiculous. You basically get punished for not committing to a big-name school. Meanwhile, his industry ranking is still around 45 when you combine ESPN, Rivals, and 247. That tells you everything about who’s actually evaluating the tape versus who’s chasing clicks.

Yeah, normally I don't buy into the whole theory that recruiting services drop guys in rankings when they commit to schools that aren't currently powerhouses, but based on where Calvin is ranked everywhere else, that new ranking from Rivals seems pretty low. The No. 27 WR in the entire class? That's a joke.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Yeah, normally I don't buy into the whole theory that recruiting services drop guys in rankings when they commit to schools that aren't currently powerhouses, but based on where Calvin is ranked everywhere else, that new ranking from Rivals seems pretty low. The No. 27 WR in the entire class? That's a joke.

Agree 100% it’s all politics in college football

 

[cuseallday]

Agree 100% it’s all politics in college football

And that's a shame.

 

[CbusCuse]

The ball was within 5 yards of the receiver, and catchable, which is more than we can say for the QBs on the current roster not wearing a boot.

They are highlight plays of 1 game from HS. Situations are not the same. Watch any the highlights from Filardi and Carney from HS and you will see similar highlights or better passing the ball.

I believe Russell played QB in 2023 as their QB was hurt all season so he probably had quite a few passing yards that year. his freshman year he had 217 yds passing. I believe he had 59 yds passing in 2024 and 368 yds passing in 2025.

Maybe your comments are tongue in cheek but its hard to tell. Russell would not be an upgrade at QB.

 

[Jdono927]

Yeah, normally I don't buy into the whole theory that recruiting services drop guys in rankings when they commit to schools that aren't currently powerhouses, but based on where Calvin is ranked everywhere else, that new ranking from Rivals seems pretty low. The No. 27 WR in the entire class? That's a joke.

247 is updating their rankings tomorrow for (I think) the first time in a while, so we’ll see what that looks like for him. I’m expecting a drop there too, but probably not to the same extent. Rivals was also always lower on Russell than 247, even before he committed here.

We definitely see the schools kids commit to affect things but I also don’t think it’s entirely ridiculous for him to drop a bit with the injury costing him a bunch of his senior season. At the end of the day what he does once he’s on campus matters so much more than what a couple websites think of him anyhow.

 

[cuseallday]

247 is updating their rankings tomorrow for (I think) the first time in a while, so we’ll see what that looks like for him. I’m expecting a drop there too, but probably not to the same extent. Rivals was also always lower on Russell than 247, even before he committed here.

We definitely see the schools kids commit to affect things but I also don’t think it’s entirely ridiculous for him to drop a bit with the injury costing him a bunch of his senior season. At the end of the day what he does once he’s on campus matters so much more than what a couple websites think of him anyhow.

Yeah, that's totally true about Calvin missing games this year due to injury. It wouldn't surprise me if he falls from 5 stars via 247Sports and further down (I think he's No. 22 or No. 23 overall now). I use recruiting rankings all the time, but I also take them with the proverbial grain of salt, and Calvin should be a star on the Hill, regardless of what his final 2026 rankings are. Appreciate you!

 

[PAcuse]

Dohn has been doing it to Syracuse for YEARS. It's all about how many subs your school has at whatever website.
It's good to see where kids fit in but we see it time and time again 5 star floops and unranked kids coming out of no where.
Watch the tape a few times yourself, without orange glases, and see if the kids compares to someone or how their skill set compares to others.


Also
WE WILL SEE YOU IN HELL DOHN!!!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Dohn has been doing it to Syracuse for YEARS. It's all about how many subs your school has at whatever website.
It's good to see where kids fit in but we see it time and time again 5 star floops and unranked kids coming out of no where.
Watch the tape a few times yourself, without orange glases, and see if the kids compares to someone or how their skill set compares to others.


Also
WE WILL SEE YOU IN HELL DOHN!!!

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Is CR a good recruiter? Can he keep our class in order?

 

[Ttk.gman2]

CBS Miami announces the finalists for the 2025 Nat Moore Trophy
Calvin Russell is a finalist for the Nat Moore award.The CBS Miami Nat Moore Trophy recognizes the top high school player in any position and any school in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties who has positive character, leadership and meets all team standards for academics, sportsmanship and conduct.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Rivals dropped Calvin again in their latest rankings — all the way outside the top 200. It’s ridiculous. You basically get punished for not committing to a big-name school. Meanwhile, his industry ranking is still around 45 when you combine ESPN, Rivals, and 247. That tells you everything about who’s actually evaluating the tape versus who’s chasing clicks.

I take this as a great sign that he's staying with Cuse. If he were going Miami, SEC or Big ?? he'd not be dropping in ratings

 

[sufan59]

Calvin Russell is still a 5 star per 247. Went from 22nd overall to 23rd overall in the most recent update.

 

[cuseallday]

Calvin Russell is still a 5 star per 247. Went from 22nd overall to 23rd overall in the most recent update.

As such, Rivals can shove it

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I think Calvin and Fran ought to: get Calvin to do a fake flip to a big time school; watch his ratings skyrocket, then flip back, watch them plummet, and call out the ratings services

 

[721Comstock]

So, several of our croots got some nice bumps UP in their rankings.

But this kid, who is a legit STUD -
got downgraded?!???

Er, I mean DOHNgraded.

Based on…. ??

 

[oldpinepoint]

So, several of our croots got some nice bumps UP in their rankings.

But this kid, who is a legit STUD -
got downgraded?!???

Er, I mean DOHNgraded.

Based on…. ??

Pretty sure he went to 23 from 22

 

[cuseallday]

So, several of our croots got some nice bumps UP in their rankings.

But this kid, who is a legit STUD -
got downgraded?!???

Er, I mean DOHNgraded.

Based on…. ??

Honestly, given that Calvin has missed a bunch of games this season due to injury, that he only moved from No. 22 to No. 23, and remained 5 stars, was encouraging. Rivals has him at like No. 214 overall and the No. 27 WR. So ...

 

[Ttk.gman2]

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Won his playoff game yesterday

 

[bnoro]

Won his playoff game yesterday

Other team should maybe have tried to cover him?

 

[djorange1989]

Other team should maybe have tried to cover him?

Maybe they want him to get used to the coverage he will face at Syracuse practice?

 

[RyanCuse44]

Other team should maybe have tried to cover him?

Maybe their DC is a big Erob fan.