Stanley Montgomery, a standout defensive lineman from Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia, has officially decommitted from Syracuse, announcing his decision on Tuesday. The Class of 2027 prospect becomes the second player to back off a Syracuse pledge that day, joining Florida athlete Davion Crumitie.
Montgomery shared the news via social media, stating, “After much thought and consideration and taking time talking with my family, I’ve decided to make the hard decision of decommitting from Syracuse University and reopening my recruitment. I want to thank coach Fran and the rest of the staff for taking the time to recruit me. I'm excited to see what the future holds with the reopening of my recruitment.”
This move comes after a long-standing relationship with the Orange. Syracuse was the first program to extend an offer to Montgomery, and he committed in June 2025.
But a lot can change in a year, and for Syracuse, it has - especially on the coaching side. The program has undergone a series of staff changes, including shifts at both defensive coordinator and position coach, which likely played a role in Montgomery’s decision to reevaluate his options.
It’s worth noting that Montgomery had continued exploring other programs even after his initial commitment. He’s been in contact with Penn State and made a visit to their campus just this past weekend. That kind of activity often signals a recruit is keeping the door open - and now, it’s officially wide open again.
For Syracuse, losing a player of Montgomery’s caliber is a hit, but not a devastating one. The Orange still hold eight verbal commitments in their 2027 class, which remains ranked among the top ten nationally. That’s a strong foundation to build on, even as they look to replace a promising defensive line prospect.
Montgomery’s recruitment now heads back into full swing - and with his size, skill set, and upside, expect plenty of programs to come calling.