The transfer portal doesn’t officially open until January 2, but Syracuse football players are already making their voices heard-and they’ve got their eyes on a couple of playmakers from the Sunshine State.
With the portal window running through January 16, the Orange coaching staff is expected to be active, especially with more than 25 players from the 2025 roster announcing plans to enter the portal. One position that’s suddenly become a priority? Wide receiver.
Junior wideout Darrell Gill Jr., a starter this past season, headlines a group of at least four receivers departing the program. That leaves a noticeable gap in the depth chart. Yes, Syracuse has a promising 2026 recruiting class coming in-headlined by five-star Calvin Russell III and four-star Amare Gough-but relying solely on freshmen to carry the load in the ACC is a tall order.
That’s why two names from Florida are starting to generate buzz, not just among fans, but from within the locker room itself.
Florida WRs Naeshaun Montgomery and Jayvan Boggs Drawing Interest from Syracuse Players
Freshman defensive back/wide receiver Demetres Samuel Jr. and freshman wide receiver Darius Johnson-both Florida natives-have taken to social media in recent days to show their interest in two fellow Sunshine State products: Naeshaun Montgomery (Florida Gators) and Jayvan Boggs (Florida State Seminoles), both of whom plan to enter the transfer portal.
The social media posts were subtle but telling-just a few emojis and tagged names-but the message was clear: these two Syracuse freshmen would love to see Montgomery and Boggs wearing Orange next fall.
Let’s break down the potential fits.
Montgomery, a 6-foot-1, 189-pound freshman, saw limited action in Gainesville this season, appearing in four games and hauling in three catches for 26 yards. While his on-field production was modest, his pedigree is strong.
Coming out of Miami Central High School, he was a four-star recruit and ranked inside the national top 200 in the 2025 class. Syracuse had offered him back then, so there’s already some familiarity between player and program.
In the transfer portal rankings compiled by the On3 Industry Ranking, Montgomery currently checks in as a three-star transfer, ranked No. 129 overall and No. 27 among wide receivers. He’s got the size, speed, and upside to be a contributor at the Power Five level, and a fresh start could unlock some of that untapped potential.
Then there’s Jayvan Boggs, who brings a bit more experience and production to the table. The 6-foot-1, 204-pound freshman played in eight games for Florida State this season, catching nine passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. He was also a four-star recruit in the 2025 cycle, ranked inside the top 200 nationally, and starred at Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Florida.
Boggs didn’t hold a Syracuse offer coming out of high school, but that doesn’t mean he’s off the radar now. In fact, he’s one of the more highly rated receivers in the portal right now-No. 53 overall and No. 13 at his position, per On3’s transfer rankings.
Why does this matter for Syracuse?
Because head coach Fran Brown and general manager Tommy Caporale have made it clear: the state of Florida is a recruiting priority. The Orange have been aggressive in building relationships and pipelines throughout the region, and that effort is starting to show up not just in high school recruiting, but now in the transfer portal as well.
With a large chunk of the current roster turning over and a young core being developed, adding experienced, high-upside receivers like Montgomery and Boggs could be a smart bridge move. They’d bring ACC-level experience, Florida speed, and a bit of familiarity with some of Syracuse’s current players.
It’s still early in the portal process, and nothing is official yet. But if Syracuse is looking to reload at wide receiver with proven talent that fits the program’s geographic and schematic vision, Montgomery and Boggs check a lot of boxes.
And if the players already in the building are making their preferences known, you can bet the coaching staff is listening.