Syracuse’s first defensive depth chart of the 2026 season gave Orange fans an early look at how the staff is sorting out the pieces for Saturday’s opener against New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The biggest eyebrow-raiser came at linebacker, where Gary Bryant III was not listed. Fran Brown said Bryant is dealing with a knee injury, but should be fine for Saturday.
That matters because Bryant tied for the team lead in tackles last season with 60 and was expected to be one of Syracuse’s three starting linebackers in Week 1. It also stood out because Bryant spoke last week without mentioning any injury and said his group could be one of the best linebacker units in the country.
Another notable name was Davien Kerr at nickelback. The staff spent the summer discussing where Kerr might fit, and his speed makes him a strong option at that spot.
The depth chart also included eight different uses of “or,” which suggests the coaches may still be sorting out some of the first- and second-team decisions. It could also point to how Syracuse plans to use multiple defensive backs in nickel and dime packages, with those listed players working in those looks.
If there’s a clear strength on this side of the ball, it’s in the secondary. Demetres Samuel Jr. and NFL Draft hopeful Chris Peal are set on the outside, giving Syracuse a defined starting point in the defensive backfield.
That said, the depth chart is only a snapshot. Like most FBS teams, Syracuse’s order could change from week to week, and the players listed on Monday are not guaranteed to lead their positions in snaps once the games start.
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Syracuse Lost A Champion Whose Legacy Reaches Far Beyond Football
Gerhard H. Schwedes, the Syracuse University football standout who helped steer the program to its only national championship, died Aug. 23 at his home in Fayetteville, New York. A 1959 captain and All-American, Schwedes was central to an undefeated Orange season that ended with a Cotton Bowl victory, a standard the program still measures itself against all these years later.
Schwedes impact went well beyond that title run. He went on to play professionally in the AFL, later served in the U.S. Army and was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, a reminder that his legacy was built on more than one celebrated fall in Orange. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuses First Depth Chart Just Raised Real Opener Questions
Syracuses first depth chart for the season opener against New Hampshire did more than map out the early pecking order. It also offered an immediate reminder that Week 1 can be as much about availability as it is about evaluation, with running back JuJuan Johnson likely to be held out even though he has been cleared to play. Ahmad Miller is expected to suit up, but the injury situation around him leaves the Orange with some uncertainty behind the line of scrimmage.
Tylik Hill or Matthew Ouetten now looks positioned to get the start at running back, while several other names, including Tyshawn Russell and Justus Ross-Simmons, were left off the chart because of injury or playing status. On the other side of the ball, Syracuse appears set to open in a 4-2-5 look with a few new starters in the mix, which makes the first game a useful early test not just of depth, but of how quickly the Orange can settle into the roles it wants before the competition gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Fran Brown Hinted At Two Syracuse Questions Still Hanging Over Week 1
Fran Brown met with the media ahead of Syracuses season opener against New Hampshire and spent much of the session reinforcing the same themes that have defined his early tenure: culture, role definition and a roster that looks more settled than it did a year ago. He praised the staffs work in building the team and pointed to sophomore defensive back Demetres Samuel Jr. as one of the players making real progress as camp turns into game week.
The bigger immediate questions are on the depth chart. Transfer running back JuJuan Johnson is expected to sit out the opener as a precaution, and the backup quarterback spot remains unsettled with Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson still competing for the job. Browns comments suggested the Orange are close to final answers, but not quite there yet, which leaves a few important details unresolved as Syracuse gets ready for Week 1. [Read more 🡒]