Syracuse’s 66-3 season-opening rout of New Hampshire did more than get the Orange off to a flying start. It also gave a packed campus visit weekend a strong first impression for a handful of recruits watching from the stands.
Three prospects who were on hand came away impressed, each pointing to different parts of the day that stood out. For Spring Grove (PA) High running back Gibbs, the Orange’s ground game jumped off the page. Syracuse piled up 238 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and that was enough to catch his eye in a big way.
"I thought the running backs played great,” Gibbs said to The Juice Online. "I really liked the way they ran the ball. They showed patience, trusted their reads, and once the hole opened, they hit it with purpose.”
Gibbs already had a strong view of Syracuse before the visit, but the atmosphere inside the JMA Wireless Dome pushed that even higher.
"It definitely gave me an even better look of Syracuse,” Gibbs said. "Seeing the game day atmosphere and spending more time around the coaches and players made me appreciate the program even more. Syracuse is definitely one of my favorite schools.”
Middletown (DE) High prospect Powers also has history with the Orange, having received his Syracuse offer during spring practice. He’s been paying attention ever since, and part of that connection comes from a familiar face already in the program: former teammate BJ Garrett, now a freshman wide receiver at SU.
"I think it’s really cool,” Powers said. "Seeing other Middletown guys go to Syracuse and have success definitely makes the connection mean more to me. It shows that guys from where I’m from can go there and make an impact."
For Powers, the visit was about more than just seeing Garrett. He also said the staff made the trip feel welcoming.
“It was great,” Powers said. "I really enjoyed the trip and getting to experience the campus and game day atmosphere. Everyone made me feel welcome, and I definitely enjoyed my time at Cuse.”
Johnstone, a Long Island native who picked up his first Syracuse offer in July, was back on campus as well. The Patchogue-Medford (NY) High standout, who plays tight end, offensive line and defensive end, said the Orange has stayed in touch consistently, and the energy around the dome left an impression.
"It was great," Johnstone said. "It was amazing to be back up on campus, watch a game, and talking with some of the coaches and recruiters."
In Other News...
Syracuse Just Made A Strong Recruiting Impression On Another Running Back Prospect
Kade Gibbs trip to Syracuse came during a lopsided 66-3 win over New Hampshire, but the freshman running back prospect from Spring Grove High School still found plenty to notice beyond the scoreboard. The 2029 recruit liked what he saw from the Orange, especially the way the running game looked, and he also spent time with several coaches, including Fran Brown, during the visit.
For Syracuse, the timing of that impression matters. Gibbs already holds an offer from the Orange, and he has made clear he has real interest in the program, so a positive campus stop only adds to the momentum. He also arrived with some confidence of his own after reporting good progress in his high school season, which gives Syracuse another promising name to keep tracking as the recruiting picture continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces A New Offensive Dilemma Before ACC Opener
Fran Brown gave Syracuse a useful dose of optimism as the Orange turn toward their ACC opener against California, saying fifth-year wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons is expected to be available after sitting out the season opener. The timing matters for an offense that was already navigating personnel questions, especially with running backs JuJuan Johnson and Ahmad Miller also expected back after missing the first game.
Brown also pointed to the long-term picture, noting that freshmen Calvin Russell III and Tedarius Hughes are working back from injuries and could be in the mix in the coming weeks. For Syracuse, the challenge now is less about simply getting bodies back and more about sorting out how quickly the offense can settle in once a few key pieces finally rejoin the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse May Have Found A Way To Make The Dome Matter More
Syracuse spent Saturday trying to turn the JMA Wireless Dome into more than just the place where the Orange play football. The university rolled out changes to the game-day experience, opening the area three hours before kickoff and adding touches like a T-shirt cannon in an effort to make the pregame build-up feel bigger, louder and more connected to the game itself. The goal is simple enough: get more students involved, create a more family-friendly atmosphere and give fans a reason to arrive early instead of just showing up for kickoff.
The timing mattered, too, with Syracuse taking care of New Hampshire on the field while the school tested a different approach to the day around it. The hope is that if the Dome feels more welcoming and more alive before the opening whistle, it can start to draw larger crowds for the games still to come. For a program that knows how much home-field energy can matter, this was a small but meaningful step toward making the building feel like an event again. [Read more 🡒]