The roster turnover continues in Syracuse, and the latest wave of departures underscores just how active this transfer portal cycle is shaping up to be for the Orange. Four more players have officially entered the portal: quarterback Luke Carney and defensive backs Jalil Martin, Kaylib Singleton, and Ta’Ron Haile. Each player brings a different storyline, and together, they paint a picture of a program in transition.
Let’s start with Carney, the name that’s likely to generate the most buzz among Orange fans. A 3-star recruit out of Texas, Carney was part of the 2025 class and saw limited action in his freshman season.
He appeared in four games, preserving his redshirt, and managed to flash some potential-completing 5 of 7 passes for 22 yards and adding a rushing touchdown against Colgate. He also ran the ball 10 times for 28 yards.
While those numbers won’t jump off the page, the bigger story here is how his playing time-or lack thereof-became a hot topic late in the season. With four years of eligibility remaining, Carney becomes a very intriguing option for programs looking to develop a long-term quarterback.
Then there’s Kaylib Singleton, who might not have the name recognition just yet, but make no mistake-this is a significant loss. Singleton was the second-highest-rated recruit in Syracuse’s 2025 class, a defensive back with serious upside.
He chose the Orange over heavyweights like Florida, Michigan, and Texas A&M, and he played in eight games this fall, recording 16 tackles. His standout performance came against Miami, where he notched six tackles.
Singleton’s recruiting pedigree and early experience make him a prime target for Power Four programs, especially in the talent-rich state of Florida.
Jalil Martin brings a veteran presence to this group of departures. After transferring from Nebraska, he spent three seasons with Syracuse and contributed primarily as a depth piece in the secondary.
He appeared in five games this season, but his most memorable moment in an Orange uniform came in last year’s Holiday Bowl, when he came up with an interception. Martin’s experience and versatility could appeal to teams looking to bolster their defensive backfield with a proven contributor.
Lastly, there’s Ta’Ron Haile-a name that might fly under the radar but is worth watching. Originally recruited as a wide receiver in 2024, Haile made the switch to defensive back this fall and saw limited action, tallying five tackles as a reserve.
But don’t let the quiet stat line fool you-Haile was a big-time athlete coming out of high school, holding offers from Penn State, Nebraska, and Maryland. With that kind of athletic profile, he’s the kind of player who could benefit from a change of scenery and a fresh opportunity to develop on either side of the ball.
With these four players hitting the portal, Syracuse is now looking at 15 expected departures heading into January 2nd, when the portal officially opens. That’s a sizable chunk of the roster, and it speaks to the broader reshaping happening under the surface. But as is often the case in college football, departures open the door for new arrivals-and Syracuse is already lining up visits, including from a quarterback early in the new year.
The offseason is just getting started, but it’s clear that the Orange are going to be one of the more active programs in the portal. Whether that translates into a stronger, more balanced roster remains to be seen-but the pieces are certainly moving.