NFL preseason is rolling, and a long list of former Orange are getting their first chances to make noise as roster battles start to sharpen. Some were quiet, some logged real snaps, and a few turned in performances that should help their case heading deeper into August.
In Baltimore’s matchup with Minnesota, Dion Wilson got onto the field for 15 snaps and finished with one quarterback hurry. Over in Buffalo, Da’Metrius Weatherspoon was on the field for 33 snaps against Cleveland. PFF credited him with a 51.3 overall grade, but his pass blocking stood out much more at 76.6.
Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt handled his lone extra-point try against the Bills, and the job in Cleveland appears to be his “for better or worse.” In Dallas, Justin Barron lined up at linebacker and produced three tackles in 48 snaps against Arizona, while Alijah Clark started at free safety and posted six tackles.
Detroit got a solid outing from Jackson Meeks, who caught four passes for 33 yards against Washington. PFF tagged him as the Lions’ top-rated offensive player in the game. Green Bay also had two former Orange in action: Zaire Franklin played 14 snaps and made two tackles against Denver, while Kyle McCord went 12-for-19 for 118 yards and added one carry for two yards.
Jacksonville’s Trebor Pena was one of the more productive pass catchers of the group, finishing with four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown against Carolina. LeQuint Allen did not play. The Chargers also got contributions from multiple Orange alums, with Oronde Gadsden grabbing two passes for 24 yards against San Francisco, Marlowe Wax playing 19 snaps and making three tackles, and Devin Grant logging 24 defensive snaps plus 17 on special teams with a tackle.
At New England, Tommy DeVito put together one of the cleaner stat lines of the week, going 8-for-15 for 151 yards and a touchdown while adding 44 yards on the ground against Philadelphia. New Orleans saw Fadil Diggs make the start at outside linebacker and finish with two tackles and two quarterback hurries against the Rams.
Pittsburgh’s Cisco played 21 snaps, recorded two tackles and picked off a pass against the Steelers, while Johnathan was placed on injured reserve this week. Kevin Jobity got nine snaps and made one tackle for Pittsburgh against the Jets.
San Francisco’s Enrique Cruz, Jr. played 48 snaps on offense against the Chargers and finished with a PFF grade of 54.6. And in the final batch of results, Tucker turned in a versatile line against Kansas City with five carries for 23 yards, a touchdown and an 18-yard kick return. Melifonwu added one tackle in 23 snaps, and Dixon averaged 47 yards per punt on five kicks.
In Other News...
Syracuse Fans Are About To Feel A Big Dome Gameday Shift
Syracuse fans heading to the Dome next fall will notice a different rhythm to gameday long before the first whistle. The university has announced changes to the home football experience for 2026, including opening the area three hours before kickoff, a shift meant to give fans more time to settle in and make the most of the pregame atmosphere around campus.
The Orange will open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome, and the timing of those changes adds another layer to a program already moving through a new era of leadership. With Mike Haynie in as chancellor and Bryan Blair now serving as athletic director, Syracuse is putting its stamp on both the football schedule and the way home Saturdays are supposed to feel. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Is Changing Game Day In A Way Fans Will Notice Fast
Syracuse Athletics is reworking the home football experience for 2026 with a slate of changes aimed at making Saturdays around the Dome feel louder, busier and more interactive before the opening kickoff even arrives. The upgrades include a large-format videoboard, live music from local artists, expanded fan amenities and a Toyota Fun Zone, all part of a broader push to give fans more to do and more to notice from the moment they get to campus.
There is also a new wrinkle to how the Orange will enter game day, with the Crouse College Chimes set to signal the teams arrival by playing "Thunderstruck." Inside the Dome, Syracuse is leaning further into student engagement too, adding a new third-down song when the defense is on the field and a DJ request system, changes that suggest the atmosphere on autumn weekends could feel different in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Making Another Important In-State Impression With Rising 2028 Athlete
Brysen Fry has already gotten a feel for Syracuse once, and the Orange will get another chance to make their case when the rising 2028 athlete from Chenango Forks High School returns on Oct. 17 for a game day visit. Fry, a two-way player from Binghamton, has been in contact with Syracuse coaches about his development, his academics and where he might fit if the relationship keeps moving forward.
For Syracuse, these are the kinds of in-state impressions that matter early. Fry has spoken positively about the program and its emphasis on recruiting New York players, which gives the Orange a useful foothold as they keep building out future classes. The next visit should offer another look at how Syracuse stacks up when the atmosphere is real and the attention is on the field. [Read more 🡒]