The winds of change are blowing through Syracuse, and the Orange football program is feeling the full force of the transfer portal era.
At least 12 Syracuse players have announced their intentions to enter the portal when it officially opens on January 2. It’s a wave of departures that reflects the shifting landscape in college football-and for the Orange, it’s a clear sign that head coach Fran Brown and his staff are preparing for a serious roster reset following a 3-9 season in 2025.
Let’s break down who’s on the move and what it means for the program.
Defensive Departures: Turnover in the Secondary and Linebacker Corps
Jalil Martin, a redshirt junior defensive back, is heading back to the portal after transferring in from Nebraska. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Chicago native saw the field in five games this past season, recording six total tackles, two of them solo. Martin brought length and experience to the secondary, but with limited playing time, he’s looking for a fresh start elsewhere.
Kaylib Singleton, a freshman defensive back from Jacksonville, Florida, also threw his name into the mix. A former four-star recruit in the 2025 class, Singleton played in eight games and made 16 total tackles-eight of them solo-along with half a tackle for loss. His departure stings a bit more, given his upside and the early playing time he earned.
At linebacker, Fatim Diggs, a redshirt freshman from Camden, New Jersey, is also on the move. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Diggs appeared in five games this season, tallying three total tackles and a pass breakup. Syracuse is already thin at linebacker, so his exit adds to the pressure on the staff to reload quickly.
Caden Brown, a sophomore linebacker and legacy player-his father suited up for Syracuse in the late '80s-announced his portal plans earlier this month. Brown only played in two games in 2025, registering one tackle.
Derek McDonald, a redshirt senior linebacker, is another notable name. McDonald is expected to apply for a medical redshirt after injuries limited him to four games this season.
He still managed to record eight total tackles and half a tackle for loss. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, McDonald brought size and leadership to the unit, and his departure marks the end of a veteran presence in the linebacker room.
Offensive Skill Players: Youth on the Move
The wide receiver room is also seeing significant turnover.
Jaylan Hornsby, a redshirt freshman from Winslow Township, New Jersey, played in 11 games and logged eight receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he had the size and flashes of production that made him a player to watch.
Emanuel Ross, another redshirt freshman wideout, came to Syracuse as a four-star recruit in the 2024 class. The Jackson, New Jersey native played in six games this season, catching 10 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Ross had the pedigree and early contributions that suggested a breakout could be coming-but that’ll now happen somewhere else.
Jakhari Williams, a redshirt freshman quarterback from Macon, Georgia, is also entering the portal after not seeing any game action in 2025. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Williams was part of a young QB group that now looks even thinner heading into the offseason.
In the backfield, Malachi James, a sophomore running back and return specialist from Willingboro, New Jersey, is another name to watch. James only appeared in two games this season due to injury, but his versatility and speed made him a potential weapon in both the run game and special teams. In his portal announcement, James noted that circumstances beyond his control led to his decision-a comment that hints at deeper changes behind the scenes.
Special Teams and the Trenches
Ethan Stangle, a redshirt junior long snapper from Bel Air, Maryland, will enter the portal as a graduate transfer. He played in all 12 games this season, providing steady special teams work. Long snappers don’t often grab headlines, but losing a reliable one means the Orange will have to address that role in the offseason.
On the defensive line, Chase Simmons, a redshirt senior from Little River, South Carolina, is moving on after playing in six games in 2025. Simmons recorded seven total tackles, including 3.5 for loss and half a sack. His versatility as a defensive lineman and occasional tight end gave Syracuse some flexibility up front.
Ibn McDaniels, a redshirt freshman defensive back from Elizabeth, New Jersey, rounds out the list. He played in 11 games but only recorded two total tackles. Still, McDaniels was part of the depth in the secondary, and his departure adds to the growing list of DBs Syracuse will need to replace.
What’s Next for Syracuse?
The timing of these announcements isn’t surprising. The NCAA’s transfer portal window for Division I football runs from January 2 to January 16, and players are getting their names in early to explore new opportunities.
For Syracuse, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. The 2025 season didn’t go as planned, but the program is bringing in a record-setting 2026 high school class-one that could lay the foundation for a turnaround. Still, with so many players departing, especially underclassmen with potential, Fran Brown and his staff will need to be aggressive in the portal themselves.
The good news? Brown has already shown he can recruit. Now he’ll need to show he can reload.
The Orange are clearly entering a new chapter. The roster will look different, the depth chart will shuffle, and the 2026 team will have a distinct identity. Whether that identity leads to more wins remains to be seen-but one thing’s for sure: Syracuse is going to be active, and the next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping what comes next on the Hill.