Syracuse football’s backfield just took a serious hit - and it’s not the first blow this month.
Sophomore running back Yasin Willis, who led the Orange in rushing during a tough 3-9 campaign in 2025, announced Tuesday via social media that he plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens in early January. The move comes as something of a surprise, especially considering Willis had previously stated in November that he intended to return to Syracuse for the 2026 season.
Instead, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound back is heading for the portal, leaving a major hole in a running back room that’s already been thinning out.
Willis was a rare bright spot in an otherwise frustrating season for the Orange. He carried the ball 129 times for 558 yards and four touchdowns - leading the team in both categories.
While those numbers don’t jump off the page, they came behind an offensive line that struggled to establish consistency and a passing game that faltered after redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli was lost for the season in September. With defenses keying in on the run, Willis still managed to grind out yards and show flashes of the physical, downhill style that made him a top recruit out of Newark, New Jersey.
A four-star prospect in the 2024 class, Willis was one of Syracuse’s most highly touted signees in recent years. As a freshman, he saw limited action but showed promise, rushing 36 times for 130 yards and a touchdown. By Year 2, he had emerged as the team’s go-to back - and now, he’s the latest name on a growing list of Orange players headed for the exit.
Willis isn’t alone. On Monday, fellow sophomore running back Jaden Hart also announced his intention to enter the portal.
Earlier this month, return specialist and running back Malachi James made the same decision. That’s three running backs gone in the span of a few weeks - and part of a broader wave of departures.
At least 18 players from the 2025 roster have now declared their intention to transfer.
That leaves the Orange with a depleted depth chart heading into 2026. The remaining backs include redshirt senior Will Nixon, freshman Malachi Coleman, freshman Tylik Hill, and redshirt sophomore Tyler Chandler. While there’s some youth and experience in that group, none have yet proven they can shoulder the kind of workload Willis carried this past season.
For the Syracuse coaching staff, the message is clear: reinforcements are needed. The transfer portal opens January 2 and runs through January 16 - and the Orange will need to be aggressive in finding replacements, particularly in the backfield. Whether they look for a proven veteran or a high-upside underclassman, the goal will be to find someone who can step in and contribute right away.
Losing your leading rusher is never ideal. Losing three backs in a month?
That’s a full-blown reset. Syracuse’s offense struggled to find rhythm in 2025, and now, with key pieces departing, the pressure is on to rebuild quickly and effectively.
The portal will offer opportunities - but the Orange have work to do.