Syracuse is set to get a familiar target back in the mix for 2026.
Wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons is reportedly returning to the Orange next season, according to On3’s Pete Nakos on Friday. The move is tied to a court ruling in Colorado that granted some Class of 2022 recruits an extra year of eligibility. The injunction is not final, but if it stands, Ross-Simmons would be eligible for Syracuse’s 2026 campaign.
For the Orange, that matters. Ross-Simmons spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Syracuse after transferring from Colorado State, and even with injuries cutting into his time on the field, he gave the offense real production when he was available. In 18 games with SU, he caught 29 passes for 514 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3 receiver had previously started NFL training after a high-ankle sprain limited him to eight games in 2025. Because he never signed a professional contract, he remained eligible under the injunction.
His return would be a significant development for a receiver group that could have taken a major hit. If Ross-Simmons had moved on, Syracuse would have lost its seven leading receivers from the 2025 season. He finished fourth on the team in receiving yards and tied for the team lead in touchdowns, giving the Orange a proven option in a room that will need experience.
That familiarity could be especially valuable as Syracuse tries to rebound from a rough 2025 season. The Orange went 3-9 and dropped eight straight games after quarterback Steve Angeli tore his Achilles. Ross-Simmons missed four games during that losing streak.
Fran Brown said in an Aug. 4 press conference that he was “really comfortable” with his current roster and did not intend to pursue players who might become available through the injunction. Still, Ross-Simmons’ reported return gives Syracuse a boost heading into 2026.
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