The Syracuse Orange football program has seen a significant roster shakeup this offseason, with 28 players entering the transfer portal last month. As the spring semester kicks off across college campuses, we’re starting to see where many of those players have landed-and the destinations span from SEC powerhouses to Group of Five programs, with a few still weighing their options.
Let’s break it down.
Power Five Pull: SEC, Big Ten, and ACC
Four former Orange players are headed to the SEC, and that’s no small thing. Wide receivers Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook are both bound for Ole Miss, where they'll be joined by Michael Smith, who briefly spent time with Syracuse. Defensive back Kaylib Singleton will suit up for Mississippi State, while long snapper Ethan Stangle found a spot with Alabama-a program that doesn’t exactly hand out roster spots lightly.
Two more players are heading to Big Ten territory: defensive back Ibn McDaniels is now at Penn State, and wide receiver Jaylan Hornsby is off to Purdue. Meanwhile, linebacker Derek McDonald is staying within the ACC footprint, transferring to North Carolina.
Familiar Faces at UConn
Former Syracuse interim head coach Nunzio Campanile has made his presence felt at UConn, bringing a couple of Orange players with him. Running back Jaden Hart and wide receiver Emmanuel Ross are following Campanile to Storrs, meaning Syracuse will see some familiar faces on the opposing sideline when the two teams meet in 2026.
The Full Transfer Picture
Here’s a look at where the rest of the Orange transfers are headed:
- Defensive Backs: Along with McDaniels and Singleton, Greg Delaine is heading to Georgia Southern. Jalil Martin and Ta’Ron Haile have yet to land at a new school.
- Defensive Line: Eric Thomas and DeAngelo Thompson are both headed to Memphis, while Quante Gillians is going to Temple.
Chase Simmons, listed as a DE/TE, remains uncommitted.
- Linebackers: Caden Brown is transferring to Florida A&M. Fatim Diggs, James Heard, and Jahide Lesaine are still in limbo.
- Special Teams: In addition to Ethan Stangle heading to Alabama, kicker Jadyn Oh is off to Oregon State.
- Offensive Line: Josh Miller is heading to Austin Peay.
Carter Clark is still without a listed destination.
- Quarterbacks: It’s a full room on the move-Jakhari Williams is going the JUCO route at Southwest Missouri CC, Luke Carney is joining Houston, and Rickie Collins is transferring to Kennesaw State.
- Running Backs: Beyond Hart’s move to UConn, Yasin Willis is heading to Kansas, and Malachi James (also a kick returner) is off to Eastern Michigan.
- Wide Receivers: In addition to the aforementioned Gill, Cook, Hornsby, and Ross, Nick Armentano is heading to The Citadel, Gabe Daniels is transferring to Tulane, and Ja’Meer Thomas is still uncommitted.
Still in Limbo
Eight players haven’t yet been officially listed with new schools. While the portal remains open-ended for those who entered during the winter window, it’s unclear whether any of these players are still enrolled at Syracuse. It’s worth noting that Umari Hatcher, who initially entered the portal, has since returned to the program-so the door isn’t always shut once a name goes in.
What’s Next?
The NCAA has eliminated the spring transfer window for football, but that doesn’t mean movement is done. With ongoing legal challenges to transfer eligibility rules, there’s a good chance we’ll see more twists in the coming months. For Syracuse, the focus now shifts to rebuilding and reloading under a new-look roster-and keeping tabs on former players who could end up making noise elsewhere.
This kind of turnover isn't unique in today’s college football landscape, but 28 players is a hefty number by any standard. It speaks to a program in transition-and the ripple effects will be felt well into the 2026 season.