Two early commitments from Syracuse football’s 2027 class have backed off their pledges, reopening their recruitments and adding a new wrinkle to what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason for the Orange. But even with the recent changes, Syracuse’s 2027 class remains firmly in elite territory - ranked inside the top 10 nationally - and the coaching staff is still actively chasing top-tier talent.
On February 3, three-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery and three-star athlete Davion Crumitie announced they were de-committing from Syracuse. Both players were considered foundational pieces in what had been a fast-starting recruiting cycle for head coach Fran Brown and his staff. Now, they’ll explore other opportunities - and based on their profiles, they’ll have plenty.
Montgomery, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound force out of Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia, originally committed to Syracuse back in June 2025. Since then, he’s taken visits to Penn State and Virginia, signaling that his recruitment was still very much in motion behind the scenes. A top-550 national prospect according to the 247Sports Composite, Montgomery brings size and interior strength that’s hard to find at the high school level - and he’ll be a high-priority target for plenty of Power Five programs moving forward.
Crumitie, meanwhile, is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound athlete from Rickards High School in Tallahassee, Florida. He committed to Syracuse in September of last year, and like Montgomery, is also ranked inside the top 550 overall in the 2027 class. Crumitie’s versatility and athleticism make him a valuable asset - the kind of player who could project on either side of the ball depending on scheme fit and development.
Both players made their announcements via social media, citing careful consideration and family discussions in their decisions to reopen their recruitments - a move that’s become increasingly common in today’s evolving college football landscape.
It’s worth noting that Syracuse has undergone significant coaching staff changes this offseason, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Fran Brown has been reshaping his staff, and with that kind of turnover, it’s not uncommon to see some early commits reconsider their options. Relationships matter in recruiting, and when those relationships change, sometimes the commitments do too.
Still, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Central New York. Despite the de-commitments, Syracuse’s 2027 recruiting class remains ranked No. 7 nationally, per the 247Sports Composite. The class currently holds eight verbal commitments - seven of them rated as three-star prospects, and one four-star in athlete Tristin Hughes, who’s been a headliner for the group.
And the Orange aren’t done yet. Over the weekend, three-star tight end Michael Nnabuife out of Baltimore made the trip to Syracuse for the team’s junior day.
Following that visit, Nnabuife reportedly has the Orange at the top of his list, according to 247Sports. At 6-foot-4 with strong hands and good movement in space, Nnabuife could be a key addition if Syracuse can seal the deal.
So yes, losing two early commits stings - especially when both are top-550 players with high ceilings. But in the bigger picture, Syracuse is still building something real in the 2027 cycle. The foundation is strong, the talent is flowing in, and the Orange are very much in the mix for more.
This is recruiting in 2026 - fluid, fast-moving, and always full of twists. For Fran Brown and his staff, the challenge now is to keep the momentum rolling while continuing to build relationships with the next wave of standout talent. So far, they’re doing just that.