Syracuse Football Faces Major Roster Turnover as Transfer Portal Exodus Continues
Syracuse football’s offseason is officially in full swing, and the transfer portal is shaping up to be a central storyline. On Monday, sophomore running back Jaden Hart became the latest Orange player to announce his intention to enter the portal when it opens on January 2. Hart made his decision public via social media, adding his name to a growing list of departures from a Syracuse squad looking to regroup after a tough 3-9 campaign.
With Hart’s announcement, the number of Syracuse players planning to explore new opportunities via the portal has climbed to at least 17. That’s a significant chunk of the 2025 roster, and it underscores the scale of the transition underway in Central New York.
Despite the roster shakeup, there’s optimism brewing for the program’s future. Syracuse’s 2026 recruiting class is currently the highest-rated in school history during the modern recruiting era.
That’s no small feat, and it gives the Orange a foundation to build on. Several key contributors from 2025 are also expected to return, and the coaching staff is preparing to be aggressive in the portal once it opens in early January.
Portal Priorities: Where Syracuse Is Looking to Reload
The Orange are expected to target several key positions in the portal, with quarterback, tight end, both lines, and safety among the top priorities. One name to watch is Marcus Stokes, a three-star redshirt sophomore quarterback from West Florida, who plans to visit Syracuse the weekend of January 3. With multiple signal-callers on the move, the quarterback room is clearly in flux, and Stokes could be a potential piece to stabilize it.
Who's Leaving: A Closer Look at the Departures
Let’s break down the players who have announced their intentions to transfer, starting with the most recent:
- Jaden Hart (RB): The 5-foot-11, 210-pound sophomore from Michigan City, Indiana, saw action in 10 games this season. He totaled 53 rushing yards on 15 carries, added three receptions for eight yards, and returned two kickoffs for 24 yards.
- Luke Carney (QB): A 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman from Mesquite, Texas, Carney preserved his redshirt while appearing in four games. He completed 5-of-7 passes for 22 yards and rushed 10 times for 28 yards, including one touchdown.
- Ta’Ron Haile (DB): The redshirt freshman from Millville, New Jersey, played in 10 games, tallying five total tackles, including two solo.
- Carter Clark (OL): A 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman from Hilton, New York, Clark appeared in just one game this past season. He enters the portal as a graduate student with two years of eligibility remaining.
- Nick Armentano (WR): The redshirt sophomore wideout from Westport, Connecticut, played in one game in 2025.
Previously announced departures include:
- Jalil Martin (DB): A redshirt junior from Chicago and former Nebraska transfer, Martin played in five games and recorded six total tackles.
- Fatim Diggs (LB): The redshirt freshman from Camden, New Jersey, appeared in five games, registering three total tackles and a pass breakup.
- Jaylan Hornsby (WR): A redshirt freshman out of Winslow Township, New Jersey, Hornsby played in 11 games, catching eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.
- Emanuel Ross (WR): Once a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, Ross played in six games this past season, posting 10 catches for 110 yards and one score.
- Kaylib Singleton (DB): Another former four-star recruit, Singleton played in eight games in 2025, finishing with 16 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Ethan Stangle (LS): The redshirt junior long snapper from Bel Air, Maryland, was a steady presence, appearing in all 12 games.
- Jakhari Williams (QB): The redshirt freshman from Macon, Georgia, didn’t see the field in 2025.
- Caden Brown (LB): A sophomore linebacker from Queens, New York, Brown appeared in two games this year, recording one tackle. His family ties to the program run deep-his father suited up for the Orange in the late 1980s.
- Malachi James (RB/Returner): The sophomore from Willingboro, New Jersey, only played in two games due to injury. In his portal announcement, James hinted at behind-the-scenes factors influencing his decision to leave.
- Ibn McDaniels (DB): A redshirt freshman from Elizabeth, New Jersey, McDaniels played in 11 games but logged just two total tackles.
- Derek McDonald (LB): The redshirt senior from Atlanta appeared in four games before an injury sidelined him. He’s expected to apply for a medical redshirt. In limited action, he posted eight total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Chase Simmons (DL/TE): A versatile redshirt senior from Little River, South Carolina, Simmons played in six games, contributing seven total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
What It All Means
This level of turnover is significant, but not necessarily surprising in today’s college football landscape. The portal has become a key mechanism for roster management-both for players seeking new opportunities and for programs looking to reload quickly. For Syracuse, it’s about navigating the losses while capitalizing on the influx of talent coming in through both recruiting and the portal.
The 2026 class offers hope, and the aggressive approach expected from the coaching staff in January suggests the Orange aren’t sitting back-they’re retooling with purpose. The next few weeks will be crucial in shaping what this team looks like in 2026 and beyond.
Stay tuned. The portal may be open for just two weeks, but the ripple effects will be felt well into next season.