Syracuse wrapped up training camp on Friday night with the Sept. 5 opener against New Hampshire now squarely in view, and the final public look at practice brought a few important developments for the Orange.
The biggest personnel news centered on wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons, whose eligibility status has been in flux. By Friday evening, that had shifted again: Ross-Simmons is eligible.
ESPN’s Dan Murphy reported on X:
"A judge in Dallas signed a TRO today that would allow roughly two dozen outgoing senior to return to college sports. If the NCAA or SEC wants to try to block any of their returns, they would have to go to court and argue their case in front of the judge, acc'd to the order."
Ross-Simmons is among the more than 20 athletes covered by that ruling, and a Syracuse spokesperson confirmed he was cleared to return to practice and is now eligible to play next Saturday against New Hampshire.
The senior receiver has already done plenty in an Orange uniform. Over the past two seasons, he has totaled more than 500 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. With Calvin Russell III out for most or all of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles, Ross-Simmons could wind up playing a major role in the offense if this eligibility battle holds.
Friday’s practice also came with a notable change in access. The team had originally planned observational periods for both Thursday and Friday, but that window was canceled earlier in the week. Media members were not able to watch the practice itself, though afterward players were seen in team T-shirts and shorts, suggesting a lighter, less physical session than some of the fully padded work Syracuse had put in earlier this month.
On the quarterback side, Steve Angeli spoke with reporters and touched on his connection with offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, saying the two share the same goal: getting Syracuse’s offense where it needs to be after last season’s struggles.
Angeli’s own 2024 season was cut short in painful fashion. He helped the Orange get off to a 3-1 start before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4. Syracuse then dropped eight straight games and finished 3-9.
Before the injury, Angeli had thrown for 1,317 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. The offense as a whole finished at 20.2 points per game, which ranked No. 118 nationally.
With camp now closed and game week ahead, Syracuse turns from training camp mode to the real countdown.
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