As the college football transfer portal prepares to swing open this week, the landscape is about to shift - again. For Syracuse, that means a mix of arrivals and departures, a now-standard part of the offseason grind. But this year, there’s a particularly intriguing subplot developing: the Toledo connection.
Syracuse’s new coaching staff has deep ties to the Rockets program, and that could have real implications for how the Orange fare in the portal. Defensive coordinator Vince Kehres and defensive backs coach Perry Eliano both made the jump from Toledo to Central New York, and their relationships with former players could open the door for some key additions.
But here’s the twist - they’re not the only ones with Toledo ties making moves this offseason.
Jason Candle, who was the head coach at Toledo, has taken over at UConn, replacing Jim Mora. And he’s not wasting any time building his new staff in Storrs. Candle has already brought in former Syracuse quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile to run his offense, along with several other coaches who have links to Toledo, even if they weren’t all on staff during the current crop of potential transfers’ time there.
So now, we’ve got an interesting recruiting battle shaping up between Syracuse and UConn - two programs that, on paper, might not seem like natural rivals, but are suddenly vying for the same group of players. And those players?
They know the coaches. They’ve played in their systems.
There’s trust already built in. That’s a big deal in the transfer portal era, where familiarity can be just as important as opportunity.
Still, if this becomes a head-to-head showdown for talent, Syracuse may have the upper hand.
Let’s start with the obvious: conference affiliation. Syracuse plays in the ACC, a Power Five conference with a clear path to the expanded College Football Playoff.
UConn, meanwhile, remains an independent. That’s a tough sell for players dreaming of the big stage.
Even with Syracuse’s 3-9 record in 2025, the program offers a competitive schedule, national exposure, and a shot - however long - at postseason relevance. UConn just can’t match that.
Then there’s NIL. Syracuse is positioned to offer more robust Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities, which has become a critical part of any recruiting pitch. Whether it’s local sponsorships, national branding, or just being in a bigger media market, Syracuse has more to offer in that department.
Of course, none of this guarantees success. The portal is unpredictable.
Players have their own priorities - playing time, scheme fit, relationships, academics. But this Toledo subplot is one to watch closely.
Kehres and Eliano know the Rockets' roster inside and out. They know who fits their system, who’s ready to make the jump, and who could help Syracuse right away.
That kind of insight is rare - and potentially game-changing.
This is just one storyline in what promises to be an active and important portal season for the Orange. Expect more movement, more surprises, and more strategic plays as the coaching staff looks to reshape the roster heading into 2026.
Also on the Hill:
- The Syracuse men’s basketball team (9-4) opens ACC play on Wednesday afternoon with a New Year’s Eve matchup against Clemson. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
ET, and our own Tom Goslowski will be courtside covering all the action. Follow him on social media @TomGozz for live updates and postgame insights.
- On the women’s side, Syracuse took just its second loss of the season on Sunday, falling 71-51 at home to Duke. Despite the setback, the Orange remain one of the more intriguing teams in the ACC heading into January.
The transfer portal is about to take center stage, and for Syracuse, the next few weeks could go a long way in shaping the future of the program. Stay tuned - this one’s going to be interesting.