Syracuse is only a day into training camp, but the conversation is already shifting toward the names on the other sideline. The Orange are trying to bounce back from a 3-9 season in 2025, and that means every quarterback, running back and pass rusher on the 2026 schedule is going to get a long look.
There are plenty of candidates for the label of toughest opponent. Syracuse avoids Miami’s Darian Mensah, the overwhelming pick for ACC preseason player of the year, but still has to deal with seven other conference players who drew votes in that race: SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, Louisville running back Isaac Brown, N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey, Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown, Virginia linebacker Kam Robinson, Clemson defensive end Will Heldt and Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel.
Then there’s Notre Dame, which brings its own heavyweight test. Irish quarterback CJ Carr is already being talked about as a Heisman contender, while cornerback Leonard Moore is drawing top-10 NFL draft buzz. Jennings is also a legitimate Heisman-level threat, and Brown has been getting first-round NFL draft grades from multiple experts.
In all, 12 players who landed on the preseason All-ACC first team will be across the field from Syracuse this season.
So which one worries Syracuse fans the most? I asked Syracuse Sports Insiders, and the answers pointed in a few obvious directions - starting with quarterbacks.
Don P. went straight to Notre Dame’s CJ Carr.
Pat R. chose CJ Bailey of N.C. State and pointed to what he already did against Syracuse in his freshman year: "17 of 24 (70.8%) for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Also had 7 carries for 28 yards. One of the toughest quarterbacks to defend in ACC."
Neil E. widened the lens a bit: "Every team’s quarterback unless we finally can put pressure on them with Kehres’ style of defense"
Kevin Jennings of SMU was Jeff L.’s pick, while Dominick V. also landed on Bailey, saying, "I think the N.C. State QB (CJ Bailey) will give us problems.
He is being talked about in a very positive but very under the radar way. That scares the mess out of me."
Not everyone focused on a single player. Adam S. said, "Not a player but the Pitt Panthers will def give us the hardest time. My Kingdom for a victory over Pitt!"
Jeff K. still narrowed it to Pitt’s Mason Heintschel, adding, "Pitt just seems to own us, so I truly hope I am wrong. We REALLY need to beat Pitt to have a chance at a bowl."
Michael M. went with Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, while Tampa Ron said his concern is really the coaches at UCONN. He cited Jason Candle, who was head coach at Toledo when new DC Vince Kehres coached there, and Nunzio Campanile, the OC. "I’m afraid they are going to make a game that should be a win into a tough battle at a time in the schedule that could swing the record and trajectory of the season."
Tim C. closed with Louisville running back Isaac Brown, calling him the biggest problem because Syracuse has been "sliced and diced by some good backs in recent years. This guy is a stud."
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Syracuse Landed A Perfect Fit But One Fight Could Delay Everything
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The catch is that Monroes future in orange may not be settled by basketball alone. His eligibility for the 2026-27 season is tied to an ongoing federal legal decision about whether athletes in the 2022 class could be granted a possible fifth year, leaving Syracuse with a promising addition whose arrival could still be shaped by a ruling far beyond the court. [Read more 🡒]