Syracuse is heading to Pittsburgh with a projected depth chart that still leaves a few spots open, but the biggest story is the same one that has framed the start of the season: the Orange are trying to steady themselves after a split opening.
Fran Brown’s team rolled past New Hampshire 66-3 before falling 21-18 to California, and now the next test comes away from home for the first time. It’s also a familiar kind of hurdle for Syracuse, which has not won at Pittsburgh in a quarter century.
The Orange are calling this a projected depth chart for game three, so the picture can still change. But for now, Steve Angeli remains the starter at quarterback, with Amari Odom or Malachi Nelson listed behind him. In the backfield, Tylik Hill is the lead name, though Ju'Juan Johnson, Shavane Anderson and Ahmad Miller are all listed with him.
At tight end, David Clement is the starter, backed by Daunte Bacheyie or Noah Meyers. Syracuse’s receiving group is led by Umari Hatcher, Cole Weaver or Justus Ross-Simmons, and Darius Johnson. Zamondre Merriweather is behind Hatcher, while Julan McFadden backs up Weaver or Ross-Simmons and Darien Williams sits behind Johnson.
Up front, the offensive line shows Trevion Mack at left tackle, Oluwafunto Akinshilo at left guard, Joe Cruz at center, Byron Washington at right guard and Kam Pringle at right tackle. The backups listed include Naquil Betrand, Zach Rice or Matthew Hawn, Khalil Stewart or Matthew Hawn, Jayden Mann and Skyler Harvey or David Ndukwe.
On defense, Tunmise Adeleye and Nissi Ogbebor are listed as starters at end and tackle, with Rashard Perry or Dillan Fontus at the other tackle spot and Keyshawn Johnson or David Omopariola at the other end. Antoine Deslauriers and Chris D'Appalonia are the linebacker starters, joined by Davien Kerr at nickel. The secondary shows Demetres Samuel or Nazir Ward at corner, Cornell Perry or Ziyyon Bredell at strong safety, Braheem Long at free safety, and Chris Peal or Nazir Ward at the other corner.
Special teams remains settled for now, with Tripp Woody at placekicker, Jimmy Gregg at punter, Fran Brown Jr at long snapper and Matthew Outten at kickoff returner. Shay Barker, Mateja Pavlovich, Tim Schwerha and Pheonix Henriquez are listed behind them.
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Gerry McNamara is trying to change that trajectory in his first year at the controls, leaning on transfer additions as he reshapes the roster and pushes toward a stronger foundation. The bigger goal is not just getting Syracuse back into the field next season, but building something that looks more like a threat again by 2026-27, when the program will be judged on whether it can climb back into the games and conversations it used to command. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads Into Practice With A Troubling Garwey Dual Question
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For Syracuse, the concern is less about one players availability than how the guard rotation takes shape if Dual needs more time. Gavin Doty and Aiden Tobiason are also in the mix as the staff evaluates options at the position, making the next stretch of practice an important one for sorting out roles before the season starts to take form. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads Into Pitt Week With Growing Reason For Concern
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ESPNs FPI now sees Syracuse in a much narrower range of outcomes than it did before, while Pittsburgh sits ahead of the Orange in several other metrics as well. With a slate of recent ACC results and a busy Week 3 schedule still unfolding, this matchup is starting to look like an early measure of where Syracuse really stands in the league. [Read more 🡒]