Jaylan Hornsby is on the move. The former Syracuse wide receiver has officially transferred to Purdue, giving the Boilermakers a new weapon with untapped potential and three years of eligibility to work with.
Hornsby, a three-star recruit out of Atco, New Jersey, initially flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to Syracuse back in 2023, following defensive line coach Elijah Robinson when he made the jump to become the Orange’s defensive coordinator. But despite the early buzz around his arrival, Hornsby never quite carved out a consistent role in Syracuse’s offense.
Over two seasons with the Orange, Hornsby totaled just 10 catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. Most of that production came early in the 2025 season-specifically in wins over UConn and Colgate, where he posted 91 receiving yards and found the end zone for the first time in his college career.
Outside of those flashes, though, his opportunities were limited. In 2024, he played in just four games and caught two passes for 21 yards before redshirting.
After a disappointing 3-win season in 2025, Syracuse saw a mass exodus from its wide receiver room-and Hornsby was part of it. The transfer portal saw Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook head to Ole Miss, while Emanuel Ross committed to UConn. Hornsby, meanwhile, opted for a fresh start in the Big Ten with Purdue.
For the Boilermakers, this is a low-risk, high-upside addition. Hornsby brings size, athleticism, and a clean slate. While his production at Syracuse was modest, the flashes were there, and with a new environment and system, Purdue will be hoping to unlock more of what made him a coveted recruit in the first place.
Meanwhile, Syracuse’s receiving corps is undergoing a full rebuild. With quarterback Steve Angeli still working his way back from a torn Achilles, the Orange are retooling the offense around a new group of targets.
Returners Umari Hatcher and Darius Johnson will be back in the mix, and they’ll be joined by five-star freshman Calvin Russell III-one of the highest-rated recruits in recent program history. The transfer portal also brought in key reinforcements: Elijah Moore from Florida State, Matt Outten from Penn State, and Cole Weaver from Miami (Ohio).
Hornsby’s departure might not make headlines on its own, but it’s part of a broader story unfolding at both programs. For Syracuse, it’s a reset. For Purdue, it’s a chance to develop a player who still has plenty of time-and talent-to make his mark.