Fran Brown didn’t rule it out after Syracuse’s loss to Cal, and the signs around Calvin Russell III are getting harder to ignore.
The freshman wide receiver was not in uniform for Saturday night’s 21-18 defeat at the JMA Wireless Dome, but he was close enough to take part in pregame warmups with the team. Russell is still working back from an Achilles tear suffered in spring practice, yet his return appears to be drawing near.
Brown sounded optimistic when asked about the five-star recruit’s status after the game.
"I think he should be playing really soon. That's why you watched him in pre-game running routes.... I think he is right there"
He added another layer to the update by stressing the safety side of the decision.
"It's all about the kids being able to protect themselves. And if he (Russell) can protect himself, cool, he can go then. If he can't completely protect himself then you won't want to do that."
Russell’s absence has been notable because of what he brings to Syracuse’s offense. He arrived as one of the top recruits in program history and was expected to be a major piece for the Orange. He also played on the Syracuse basketball team after enrolling in school this past January.
The comeback timeline is the striking part. Achilles injuries often take 9-12 months to return from, and Russell is not yet at the six-month mark. His path has also shifted quickly because of the new "aged-based eligibility model."
When he does get the green light, Russell is expected to join Justus Ross-Simmons and Umari Hatcher in the wide receiver room.
Syracuse, meanwhile, has bigger immediate issues to sort through after dropping to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Orange had leads during the game and still had a late chance to steal it, but Steve Angeli was intercepted with a minute left. He finished with three interceptions.
Now the focus turns fast. Syracuse plays Pitt on Thursday night in an ACC matchup on the road, giving the Orange a short week to clean up the turnover problems, the penalty issues and the lack of a consistent run game.
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Syracuse Already Faces A Bigger Problem Than Its 1-1 Start
Syracuse enters a short week at 1-1, with a Thursday night trip to Pittsburgh already waiting as the next chance to steady the season. On the field, the Orange still have plenty to sort through, but the bigger backdrop around the program is harder to miss: rebuilding interest and trust with a fan base that has spent too long watching losing football.
New athletic director Bryan Blair has already tried to nudge things in the right direction with ticket discounts and other efforts to improve the gameday experience, yet attendance remains a stubborn issue. That makes the next few games carry more weight than just wins and losses, because Syracuse is still trying to prove it can give supporters a reason to come back and stay engaged through a full season. [Read more 🡒]
Justus Ross-Simmons Finally Played But Syracuse Still Has A Worry
Justus Ross-Simmons ended up in uniform for Syracuse against Cal after a wild, last-minute legal turn restored his eligibility just hours before kickoff. He had initially been ruled ineligible because of his removal from a lawsuit in Texas, but an Onondaga County judge granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to suit up, and he responded with six catches for 105 yards in his first collegiate game in 322 days.
The larger concern for Syracuse is that the matter is far from settled. Ross-Simmons remains under review, with a hearing scheduled for September 30, which means the Orange are still waiting for a longer-term answer on a player who could matter a lot to the offense if he stays available. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse May Be Zeroing In On One Priority Recruit Out West
Ben Lees trip to AZ Compass Preps Pro Day gave Syracuse another look at one of the countrys deeper prep powers, and the Orange appear to be keeping close tabs on a program that keeps producing college-ready talent. The Chandler, Arizona school has become a national destination, and Syracuses coaching staff is said to be evaluating multiple players there as it continues to build its board out West.
Among the names drawing attention is 2028 four-star guard Darren Ford, a prospect whose long-term upside fits the kind of recruiting work the Orange have been doing on the trail. No official scholarship offers have been confirmed yet, but the interest is notable, especially with AZ Compass Prep viewed as a strong contender for the upcoming high school national championship. [Read more 🡒]