There’s still a month left in Syracuse’s 2026 football season, but the conversation around what comes next is already heating up. After seven games that have swung from high points to rough patches, the Orange have made it pretty clear which players look like core pieces and which ones could matter just as much when the roster turns over again.
If there’s one name that keeps coming up as the player Syracuse has to keep, it’s Calvin Russell. That was the unanimous pick when the TNIAAM roundtable was asked which offensive player should be the top retention priority.
Kevin pointed to Russell’s size and hands, while also noting how valuable it is when a recruit of his caliber is “all in on the program.” Christian called him a player who can produce with any quarterback and said his leadership as a true freshman has already carried real weight.
Dom labeled him the foundation for whatever Syracuse’s offense becomes next year, and Max said it’s “a miracle” how quickly Russell returned from injury and that he has already shown himself to be one of the best young players in college football. Tanner added that Russell’s presence can reshape the offense for years and pointed to the challenge Fran Brown faces in proving he can keep elite talent in Syracuse.
The second offensive keeper conversation turned to the supporting cast, and Daunte Bacheyie earned plenty of attention. Kevin liked the local product as a passing-game weapon who fits well alongside Russell.
Tanner also backed Bacheyie, noting that the CBA product is already second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, with a length-and-size profile similar to Oronde Gadsden. Christian split his vote between Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson, saying one of them will be the starter and the other should also remain because the value of having multiple quarterbacks is already obvious.
Dom went with Ahmad Miller, who he described as the clear No. 2 in the running-back-by-committee setup behind Tylik Hill. Max chose Odom, praising his confidence in the UConn game and saying he’s a quarterback worth building around after his season-ending injury.
On defense, the priority name was Antoine Deslauriers. Christian said Syracuse has already shown how disappointing the defense can look when Deslauriers is unavailable, and Dom and Max both echoed that the unit changes noticeably with him on the field. Kevin, though, went a different route and picked Nissi Ogbebor, calling the interior pass rusher the kind of player who opens up more possibilities for the defense.
For an underrated defensive keeper, Ogbebor got more support from Christian, who said fans may not fully appreciate how much attention he draws. Dom chose Chris D’Appolonia, saying the idea of pairing two veteran linebackers with Deslauriers is appealing. Max made Davien Kerr his pick, citing his value in the secondary, while Tanner also backed D’Appolonia, saying Syracuse hasn’t had two linebackers offering that kind of stability in a few years.
As for the younger names Syracuse should want back on the roster next year, the list was long. Kevin named Demetres Samuel, Antoine Deslauriers, Kamron Wilson, Amare Gough, Chase Geter and Alex Haskell on defense, then added Tylik Hill, Jayden Mann and Terrell Wilfong on offense.
Christian repeated Hill, Wilfong and Mann, added Bacheyie, and included Geamus Sackie and Javon Lawrence on defense. Dom brought up Darius Johnson and Shavane Anderson Jr. as offensive rotational pieces, then pointed to Jartavius Flounoy and Jaylen Pray on the defensive line.
Max said every player already mentioned above him belonged in that group, calling them all strong pieces to build around as they keep gaining experience.
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