Fran Brown returns for his third season after Syracuse finished 3-9 overall and 1-7 in ACC play in 2025. Jeff Nixon also returns as offensive coordinator, while Steve Angeli returns as the starting quarterback after recovering from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season. Update (Oct. 14): Syracuse’s quarterback situation has become unsettled due to injuries. Steve Angeli and Amari Odom are sidelined, while Malachi Nelson was injured during his first start against Virginia on October 10. Georgetown transfer Danny Lauter replaced Nelson and has emerged as a leading option to start against Louisville, although Fran Brown has not announced a final decision. At running back, Tylik Hill has emerged as the leading option after Yasin Willis and Will Nixon departed, while Jackson State transfer Ahmad Miller and LSU transfer Ju’Juan Johnson add depth to the backfield. Syracuse must also replace its top six receivers from last season, although Umari Hatcher returns after missing 2025. Update (Oct. 14): Hatcher has emerged as a key contributor in Syracuse’s rebuilt receiving corps. Cole Weaver and Darius Johnson have also taken on prominent roles, while David Clement provides another option at tight end. Glendale Community College transfer Zamondre Merriweather also joins the receiving corps. Up front, the offensive line returns full-time starters Trevion Mack and Joe Cruz after 10 and 12 starts, respectively, while Byron Washington brings additional experience.
On defense, Vince Kehres arrives from Toledo as coordinator, and Syracuse returns seven of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top three: Gary Bryant III, Antoine Deslauriers, and Braheem Long Jr. Bryant and Deslauriers return after 10 and 11 starts, respectively. In the secondary, Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr. return after each made 12 starts, while Cornell Perry adds experience after making seven. Maryland transfer Dillan Fontus joins after making nine starts last season, while Toledo transfer Chris D’Appolonia follows Kehres to Syracuse.
On special teams, Alex Bayer takes over as coordinator, with Tripp Woody returning at placekicker after making 12 of 14 field-goal attempts last season. Freshman Jimmy Gregg takes over at punter after First-Team All-ACC selection Jack Stonehouse departs, while Tylik Hill and Davien Kerr bring experience to the kickoff-return game.
Overall, Syracuse entered 2026 with significant turnover at running back and receiver but considerable continuity on defense. Update (Oct. 14): The Orange are 2-3 overall and 0-3 in ACC play following a 28-25 loss at Virginia. Multiple quarterback injuries have complicated the offense’s development, leaving Syracuse uncertain about its starter heading into Louisville. The Orange returned seven of their top eleven tacklers, including their top three, while the offensive line provided an experienced foundation up front.