Syracuse fans hoping to line up with Calvin Russell III in the new EA Sports game are going to have to wait a little longer.
The Orange’s prized wide receiver signee is not on the roster in College Football '27, even though he was one of the most talked-about additions to Syracuse’s class this past winter. The game, which was released earlier this month, is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, but Russell was not included when it launched.
That omission comes with a pretty simple wrinkle: Russell’s status is still up in the air. In March, he tore his Achilles tendon during spring practice. Recovery from that kind of injury usually takes 8-10 months, and while head coach Fran Brown has offered encouraging updates, there still isn’t a clear answer on whether Russell will be used this season.
There’s also the possibility that EA Sports left him off because a redshirt year could be in play for the highly touted freshman. Either way, his uncertain role likely explains why he wasn’t listed as a usable player at release.
Russell arrived with plenty of buzz. A five-star wide receiver from Florida, he ranks among the highest-rated recruits in Syracuse football history.
He also came to campus as a two-sport athlete, enrolling early and jumping right onto the basketball team. He played in one basketball game before joining the football program after the hoops season ended.
Syracuse had projected him as a potential difference-maker right away, especially in a downfield pairing with quarterback Steve Angeli.
For now, though, the Orange will have to keep waiting on both fronts: on the field and in the video game.
Syracuse is set to open training camp next month, though the program has not yet announced practice dates or times. The regular season begins Sept. 5 inside the JMA Wireless Dome, with New Hampshire coming to town for a 12 p.m.
ET kickoff. As for Russell, Orange fans will be watching closely to see whether he makes any appearance for Syracuse this fall.
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