Syracuse made a strong impression on 2028 ATH Dontaye Day-Thompson during his first trip to Central New York, even if the Orange came up short against Cal, 21-18.
The Atlantic City (NJ) High standout has been on Syracuse’s radar for a while. Back in January 2025, the Orange became the first Power 4 school to offer him, and the staff has stayed in touch ever since. This weekend gave Day-Thompson his first chance to see the program up close.
“The visit overall was very good,” Day-Thompson said to The Juice Online. “I loved the atmosphere and every conversation I had with the players and coaches.”
One of the biggest moments of the visit came during his conversation with head coach Fran Brown.
“Coach Fran and I had a good conversation,” Day-Thompson said. “I’m looking forward to being able to talk more and build a better relationship.”
He also spent time touring campus, but the real centerpiece of the trip was the JMA Wireless Dome. That environment left the strongest mark.
“The highlight was the big atmosphere they had,” Day-Thompson said. “The fan base was loud and it was a fun environment.”
That energy changed how he viewed Syracuse.
“My visit definitely opened my eyes about how passionate people are about Syracuse football,” Day-Thompson said. “It was something that definitely stuck with me.”
Day-Thompson’s recruitment has picked up quickly, with Alabama and Penn State also extending offers. 247Sports rates him as a three-star prospect and the No. 20 overall recruit in New Jersey.
He’s also made noise on the basketball court, scoring 50 points in a game in February.
At the next level, he’s being projected as an offensive player, even though he lines up at both defensive back and wide receiver. Day-Thompson says his game fits either side of the ball.
“I’m not afraid of going across the middle to make a big catch and vise versa on defense,” Day-Thompson said. “I like playing fast as well.”
For Atlantic City, he wants to keep stacking wins this fall and show he can bring an aggressive edge wherever he lines up.
“My season is going good,” Day-Thompson said. “I am looking forward to continue stacking wins as a team and trying to help my team in any situation.”
In Other News...
Syracuse Has A Discipline Problem It Cant Ignore Anymore
The early-season record is already ugly enough for Syracuse, but the bigger issue through three games has been the sloppiness that keeps putting the Orange behind the chains and making every drive harder than it needs to be. In losses that dropped them to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play after the Pitt game, Syracuse has been flagged for 12, 14 and 10 penalties, a pattern that has become impossible to brush aside as a one-off.
With a bye week before the Oct. 3 meeting with UConn, Syracuse has a brief window to clean up the mistakes that have undercut its start. The break arrives at a useful time for a team that needs more than a reset in the standings - it needs a sharper, more disciplined version of itself before the seasons next stretch begins. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads Into UConn With One Big Backfield Decision
Syracuses backfield has already looked like a weekly guessing game through the first three games, with a different running back leading the rushing attack each time. Ahmad Millers showing in Week 3 only added another layer to the picture, and the bye week gave the Orange a little extra time to sort through how they want to divvy up carries as they prepare for UConn.
The bigger wrinkle may be at quarterback, where a possible move to Amari Odom would add another runner to the mix and could change the way Syracuse builds its offense. At 1-2, the Orange need more consistency somewhere, and how they handle the backfield against UConn will tell a lot about whether they lean into balance, speed, or a more open ground game. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Is Pushing Early For A Fast-Rising New York Forward
Syracuses recruiting staff is already doing the kind of broad, early work that can shape a class years down the line, and Damian Mojica has quickly become part of that picture. The Orange are centered on the 2027 cycle, but they have also extended offers to more than a dozen players in 2028, including the 6-foot-8 power forward from New York, who picked up an offer after taking an unofficial visit.
Mojicas stock is rising quickly enough to draw interest from multiple schools, and Syracuse appears intent on staying involved as his profile grows. He recently played for the PSA Cardinals AAU team, and more contact with the Orange coaching staff is expected, which makes him one of the more intriguing names to watch as Syracuse keeps laying groundwork well ahead of the main recruiting push. [Read more 🡒]