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Following a program-shifting first year under Fran Brown, Syracuse will face one of the hardest schedules across the nation in 2025. And it’ll have to do so without many of its key pieces from 2024. Kyle McCord, Oronde Gadsden II, LeQuint Allen Jr., Jackson Meeks, Fadil Diggs, Marlowe Wax, Alijah Clark and Justin Barron are all preparing for the NFL Draft.

While the Orange had 247Sports’ 36th-best incoming recruiting class on National Signing Day, their overall ranking — which also accounts for transfers — pushed them down to No. 56. Syracuse has obtained six transfers, headlined by former LSU quarterback Rickie Collins Jr., en route to 247Sports’ No. 93 transfer class.

Upon the portal reopening in April, here are four positions Syracuse must address ahead of the 2025 season:

Edge rusher

Alongside McCord last year, Diggs was seen as SU’s second-most impactful transfer. The former four-year Texas A&M Aggie quickly became the Orange’s best defensive lineman, notching a career-high 7.5 sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble.

With Diggs gone, the only move Syracuse made to replenish its defensive line was bringing in former Marshall defensive tackle Chris Thomas Jr., who recorded 42 tackles and a sack in 2024. But that doesn’t do anything to solve its edge rusher hole. Instead, it adds more depth alongside Maraad Watson, Rashard Perry and Dion Wilson Jr. on the interior.

On the outside, the Orange are headlined by David Omopariola, Denis Jaquez Jr., Chase Simmons and KingJoseph Edwards. Last season, the four combined for six sacks — 1.5 less than Diggs.

While it shouldn’t be expected that SU attracts a transfer as highly touted as Diggs was, it desperately needs more talent off the edge. By adding two or three more transfers, the Orange’s depth would be substantially better than it is now. In their current state, injuries to one or two of the aforementioned players would be detrimental.

Ilana Zahavy | Design Editor

Linebacker

Like the edge rusher group, SU is losing its top linebacker talent. Though an early-season injury derailed his 2024 campaign, Marlowe Wax finished his Syracuse career as one of the best linebackers in program history.

Meanwhile, Barron played a crucial role in the middle of the field — despite it not being his natural position — after Wax went down and returned. The fifth-year senior played 723 snaps on defense in 2024, by far the most by an SU linebacker last year. Despite missing five weeks, Wax placed second with 468.

Thus far, the Orange’s only portal addition is Fran Brown Jr., Brown’s son who recorded 33 total tackles for St. Francis last year as a sophomore. Among returning players, SU is bolstered by Derek McDonald, Anwar Sparrow and James Heard Jr.

Of the three, McDonald should be the only one locked in as a starter, already having two years of starting under his belt. In limited action, Sparrow (60.0 Pro Football Focus grade) and Heard (59.1) each struggled.

Running back

Allen Jr. finished 2024 with 292 combined rushing attempts and receptions while scoring 20 scrimmage touchdowns, each by far leading the Orange. With the New Jersey native forgoing his final year of eligibility, Syracuse will need to get creative to distribute his vacated touches. Thus far, it hasn’t brought in any new running backs.

Yasin Willis, New Jersey’s top-rated 2024 recruit, is the likely candidate to begin the year as the Orange’s starting running back. As a true freshman, he notched 130 rushing yards on 36 attempts. His best game was against UNLV, registering 62 yards and a touchdown on a season-high eight carries.

Behind him, Will Nixon should also play a role. Before suffering a season-ending injury, the Washington transfer accumulated 120 scrimmage yards across three games.

While Willis and Nixon are serviceable, the rest of the room behind them is relatively thin. It’s impossible for the Orange to directly replace Allen. However, a Moneyball-like approach in using multiple players to combine for his production is a much more feasible strategy.

Defensive backs

Between the portal and the NFL Draft, Syracuse has seen significant changes to its defensive backs group. Beyond Clark and Barron, Clarence Lewis declared for the draft and Marcellus Barnes Jr., Jayden Bellamy and Jaeden Gould hit the portal. Despite all the subtractions, the Orange didn’t add any defensive backs from the portal.

Still, SU is better equipped with its current defensive backs than the other three position groups mentioned. The Orange are headlined by Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant’s returns while also rostering a trio of talented underclassmen.

Jalil Martin, who broke out with an interception in the Holiday Bowl, returns for his redshirt sophomore year. Meanwhile, Davien Kerr, who carved out a significant role down the stretch of the season after corralling an interception against California, is coming back as well. Finally, top-rated incoming freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. is set to join the group.

By adding another depth piece or two at safety and corner, Syracuse’s defensive backs group could be solidified as one of the best units in the Atlantic Coast Conference despite all its changes.

Published on January 28, 2025 at 10:17 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon