Syracuse is set to sit down Saturday with wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons about a possible return for the upcoming season, a move that would bring back one of the Orange’s most productive pass catchers from last year.
Ross-Simmons is not expected to take part in Saturday’s practice, but the meeting is being viewed as an important step toward bringing him back on a new deal, according to sources. Before any return can happen, he would also need to be cleared academically.
The program declined to comment Friday evening, and On3 was first to report Syracuse’s interest in getting Ross-Simmons back.
The Rochester native is among the 2022 high school recruits who were recently granted a fifth year of eligibility after U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney’s ruling in Colorado.
Ross-Simmons told syracuse.com earlier this month that he was looking into a return to college football. At the time, he did not have an agent after leaving Got Game Sports Group, but he has since hired New York City-based Sportstars.
He went undrafted in the NFL and is not known to have signed a pro contract this offseason.
If Syracuse does bring him back, it would come two weeks into fall camp and just ahead of the Sept. 5 opener against New Hampshire in the JMA Wireless Dome. It would also push the Orange to 16 wide receivers on the roster.
That room has already dealt with injuries. Freshman Calvin Russell III has been sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon, sophomore Darien Williams has dealt with a right shoulder injury, and sophomore Terrell Wilfong watched Friday’s practice with his left arm in a sling.
At the same time, several receivers have stood out in camp. Sophomores Darius Johnson and Julian McFadden, along with seniors Zamondre Merriweather, Tyshawn Russell and Umari Hatcher, have all earned orange jerseys in practice, a sign of strong performances.
Ross-Simmons’ return would add a player who tied for the team lead with five touchdown receptions last season despite limited action. He started the first four games, was limited over the next four, and missed the final four. Injuries to his finger, hamstring and ankle across his two Syracuse seasons cost him seven of a possible 21 games.
He finished the 2025 season with 20 catches for 312 yards and those five touchdowns.
Across four college seasons at Colorado State and Syracuse, Ross-Simmons has totaled 100 receptions for 1,662 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Syracuse coach Brown said at the start of training camp on Aug. 4 that the program was not looking to add any fifth-year players from last year’s team.
“We’re just real comfortable with the team that we have and we’ve gotten the chance to develop,” Brown said then. “We’ve been together since January.
I feel like we’ve really bonded in a good way. It’s a lot of genuine love and care for each other.”
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