Darrell Gill Jr. to Enter Transfer Portal, Becomes Latest Departure in Syracuse’s Offseason Exodus
Another key piece of Syracuse’s 2025 offense is on the move. Junior wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr., one of the Orange’s most productive pass-catchers this past season, is set to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2, according to his agency.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Gill brought size, speed, and consistency to Syracuse’s receiving corps. Over the past two seasons, he racked up 70 catches for 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns.
This year alone, despite the team’s struggles, Gill posted 506 yards and five scores on 32 receptions-ranking third on the team in catches, second in receiving yards, and tied for first in touchdown grabs. That kind of production doesn’t just walk out the door without leaving a mark.
Gill becomes the 25th Syracuse player from the 2025 roster to announce intentions to transfer, and the fourth wide receiver to do so. He joins redshirt senior Umari Hatcher and redshirt freshmen Jaylan Hornsby and Emanuel Ross in a wideout room that’s seeing considerable turnover.
There’s no sugarcoating it-Syracuse had a tough 2025 campaign, finishing 3-9 overall. Injuries played a role, none more impactful than the loss of redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli, who was leading the nation in total passing yards before going down in a road win at Clemson.
Assuming Angeli is fully healthy, he’s expected to lead the offense again in 2026. But with a retooled coaching staff and a wave of new talent coming in, the program is clearly entering a transitional phase.
And while the Orange are losing experience, they’re not short on potential. The current roster still includes intriguing names like junior Johntay Cook II, freshmen Darius Johnson, Darien Williams, and Gabe Daniels, and redshirt sophomore Tyshawn Russell. That’s a young group with upside, but they’ll need to grow up quickly.
The incoming 2026 recruiting class offers even more promise. Headlined by five-star wideout Calvin Russell III and four-star Amare Gough, Syracuse has also secured commitments from three-star prospects Darnell Stokes Jr., BJ Garrett, Phoenix Henriquez, and JUCO transfer Zamondre Merriweather. It’s a deep, talented group that could reshape the receiver room in a hurry.
Still, Gill’s departure stings because he’s more than just a stat line-he’s a proven, reliable target with big-game experience. That kind of player provides a safety valve for quarterbacks and a leadership presence in the locker room. You don’t replace that overnight.
The Orange coaching staff will likely look to the portal to restock the position, and with the transfer window open from January 2 to January 16, there’s time to make moves. But as the roster reshaping continues, Gill’s exit is another reminder of how fluid the college football landscape has become.
Here’s the full list of Syracuse players who plan to hit the portal when it opens:
- WR Darrell Gill Jr. (Jr.)
- LB Jahide Lesaine Jr. (So.)
- WR Umari Hatcher (R-Sr.)
- DL Quante Gillians (Fr.)
- DB Greg Delaine (R-Jr.)
- RB Yasin Willis (So.)
- OL Joshua Miller (R-So.)
- LB James Heard (R-So.)
- RB Jaden Hart (So.)
- QB Luke Carney (Fr.)
- DB Ta’Ron Haile (Fr.)
- OL Carter Clark (R-Jr.)
- WR Nick Armentano (R-So.)
- DB Jalil Martin (R-Jr.)
- LB Fatim Diggs (R-Fr.)
- WR Jaylan Hornsby (R-Fr.)
- WR Emanuel Ross (R-Fr.)
- DB Kaylib Singleton (Fr.)
- LS Ethan Stangle (R-Jr.)
- QB Jakhari Williams (R-Fr.)
- LB Caden Brown (So.)
- RB/Returner Malachi James (So.)
- DB Ibn McDaniels (R-Fr.)
- LB Derek McDonald (R-Sr.)
That’s a significant number of departures, but not necessarily a red flag. With a new staff, a top-tier recruiting class, and a fresh start ahead, Syracuse is clearly resetting for the long haul. The challenge now is turning that turnover into opportunity-and finding the next Darrell Gill Jr. in the process.