Syracuse football is continuing to reshape its roster through the transfer portal, adding three new pieces to the puzzle: Georgetown quarterback Danny Lauter, UCLA offensive lineman Oluwafunto Akinshilo, and Western Kentucky defensive back Jai Eugene. Each brings a unique blend of experience, versatility, and depth to a program looking to take the next step in a competitive ACC landscape.
Let’s break down what each of these additions means for the Orange.
Danny Lauter: A Steady Hand in the QB Room
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Danny Lauter arrives from Georgetown with two years of eligibility and a resume that suggests he’s more than just an emergency option. While he’s not expected to challenge for the starting job right away, Lauter adds valuable depth to a quarterback room that’s been in flux.
Last season, Lauter played in just three games due to injury, but he made the most of his limited snaps-completing 51 of 84 passes (60.7%) for 613 yards, five touchdowns, and only one interception. That kind of efficiency, even in a small sample size, is encouraging.
Prior to that, he started 10 games in 2024, throwing for over 1,900 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 picks. He’s not a runner-his 12 rushing yards on 41 attempts tell that story clearly-but he’s a pocket passer with solid mechanics and a quick release.
Lauter joins a quarterback group that already includes Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli, Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom, and incoming freshman Zaid Lott. Rich Belin also returns, giving Syracuse at least five scholarship QBs heading into spring ball. With that kind of depth, the Orange can afford to be strategic with reps and development, especially if injuries strike again.
Oluwafunto Akinshilo: Reinforcements in the Trenches
Syracuse’s offensive line struggled to find consistency last season, and the loss of three key starters-center Austin Collins, guard PJ Ferguson, and right tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon-only adds to the urgency. Enter Oluwafunto Akinshilo, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman who brings size, experience, and familiarity with the coaching staff.
Akinshilo played 61 snaps across six games for UCLA last season, lining up at center and both guard spots. While those aren’t huge numbers, they represent his first live action at the FBS level after spending time at Iowa State and El Camino College in California. Pro Football Focus graded him 31st out of 51 UCLA offensive players who saw the field-respectable for a rotational lineman.
What makes Akinshilo’s arrival especially interesting is his connection to new Syracuse offensive line coach Juan Castillo, who coached him at UCLA in 2024. That familiarity could accelerate his transition into the Orange’s system and give him a real shot at earning playing time, especially with so many spots up for grabs.
Jai Eugene: Versatility in the Secondary
On the defensive side, Syracuse continues to address its need for more dynamic playmakers in the secondary. Jai Eugene, a transfer from Western Kentucky, brings positional flexibility and two years of eligibility to a defensive backfield that’s still searching for answers at both safety and slot corner.
Eugene saw 289 snaps last year, splitting time between those two roles. He finished the season with 21 tackles and five pass breakups-solid production for a rotational player. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, he’s got the frame to handle physical matchups in the slot or provide help over the top.
Originally a three-star prospect out of Destrehan High School in Louisiana, Eugene started his college career at Tulane and had offers from several Power Five programs, including Virginia, Purdue, and both Mississippi schools. His pedigree suggests there’s untapped potential here, and he’ll be joining a secondary that already added Nazir Ward-his former teammate at Western Kentucky.
Pro Football Focus graded Eugene 31st out of 47 defensive players for the Hilltoppers last season. That’s middle-of-the-pack, but his versatility and experience should make him a valuable chess piece for the Orange defense.
Where Things Stand
With these three additions, Syracuse continues to build out a transfer class that currently ranks No. 43 nationally according to On3.com and No. 52 per 247Sports. While those rankings don’t tell the whole story, they do reflect a program that’s actively using the portal to plug key holes and raise the overall talent level.
And while today marks the final day for players to enter the portal, those already in it can still sign with programs in the coming weeks. That means the Orange aren’t necessarily done yet.
But even if no more names are added, this trio brings something the 2025 roster needed: depth, experience, and flexibility. Whether it’s Lauter stabilizing the quarterback room, Akinshilo bolstering the trenches, or Eugene adding range and toughness to the secondary, these are the kinds of moves that don’t always make headlines-but often make a difference on Saturdays.