Syracuse football is building something serious - and it’s starting with a pipeline straight through one of the most talent-rich programs in the country: Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.
On Saturday night, the Orange landed a commitment from 2027 three-star running back and athlete Sa’Nir Brooks, a dynamic junior out of Saint Frances. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Brooks is a top-450 national prospect and one of the top 10 players in Maryland. He’s also the latest addition to a 2027 recruiting class that’s turning heads across the college football landscape.
With Brooks on board, Syracuse is now up to 10 verbal pledges in its 2027 class - a group currently ranked No. 6 in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite. That’s not just a hot start - that’s elite territory. And it speaks volumes about what head coach Fran Brown and his staff are building in Central New York.
Brooks had no shortage of options. His offer sheet included programs like Michigan State, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, South Florida, Maryland, and Virginia Tech. But in the end, he chose the Orange - a decision that underscores Syracuse’s growing pull on the recruiting trail, especially in the DMV area.
And Brooks isn’t the only Panther making waves in Orange country.
Maurice Medley, a three-star linebacker and athlete from the same Saint Frances program, is part of Syracuse’s record-setting 2026 class. As a senior and team captain, Medley filled up the stat sheet: 87 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a pick-six, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, he brought leadership and production to one of the toughest prep schedules in the country.
The connection between Syracuse and Saint Frances doesn’t end there. Keep an eye on 2027 three-star tight end Michael Nnabuife - another standout from the Baltimore powerhouse.
Back in November 2025, Nnabuife dropped a top six that included Syracuse, Alabama, N.C. State, Maryland, Florida, and Michigan State.
At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare in the making and is expected to visit Syracuse for junior day on January 31, when the football program will host recruits during the Orange’s basketball game against Notre Dame.
This kind of momentum doesn’t happen by accident. Fran Brown and his staff are making early inroads with top-tier talent, and they’re doing it with a clear strategy: identify high-upside athletes early, build strong relationships, and create a culture that players want to be part of.
One more name to know: Edwin Guzman. The 2027 offensive lineman out of Erie High School in Pennsylvania committed to Syracuse on January 23. With his pledge, the Orange continue to build out a class that’s not just deep - it’s balanced across key positions.
As of now, only Oklahoma has more 2027 verbal commits than Syracuse. Let that sink in. The Orange - a program that’s long fought to break into the national recruiting conversation - is currently sitting in the top five.
It’s early, sure. But what we’re seeing out of Syracuse is more than just a flash in the pan.
It’s a coordinated, aggressive recruiting push that’s starting to pay off in a big way. And if the Orange can keep this pipeline from Saint Frances flowing, don’t be surprised if even bigger things are on the horizon.