Syracuse Orange Football: A Season of Challenges and Change

The Syracuse Orange football team's 2025 season presented a mix of promise and adversity, ultimately culminating in a challenging finish. As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Syracuse University's football program aimed to build on its traditions while navigating the competitive landscape of NCAA Division I FBS football.

The 2025 Season Overview

The 2025 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange played their home games at the JMA Wireless Dome located in Syracuse, New York. They were led by second-year head coach Fran Brown. The Orange were in their 124th season overall and their 13th as a member of the ACC.

Promising Start and Subsequent Struggles

Though they started the season 3-1, the Orange would end the season on a 8 game losing streak finishing last in conference play. This was mainly due to starting quarterback Steve Angeli tearing his Achilles during the in-conference game versus Clemson where they upset the Tigers 34-21.

Key Games and Moments

Game vs. Tennessee Volunteers

TENN - Max Gilbert 34-yard field goal, 12:46. Volunteers 3-0.
TENN - Peyton Lewis 2-yard run (Max Gilbert kick), 6:02. Volunteers 10-0.
TENN - Colton Hood 22-yard fumble return (Max Gilbert kick), 0:56.
SYR - Yasin Willis 2-yard run (Tripp Woody kick), 11:40. Volunteers 17-7.
TENN - Braylon Staley 73-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 11:14. Volunteers 24-7.
SYR - Johntay Cook II 3-yard pass from Steve Angeli (Tripp Woody kick), 1:55. Volunteers 24-14.
TENN - DeSean Bishop 1-yard run (Max Gilbert kick), 0:21. Volunteers 31-14.
TENN - Star Thomas 7-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 12:22. Volunteers 38-14.
SYR - Yasin Willis 1-yard run (pass failed), 7:33. Volunteers 38-20.
SYR - Yasin Willis 1-yard run (run failed), 11:54. Volunteers 38-26.
TENN - Miles Kitselman 2-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 3:57. Volunteers 45-26.

Game vs. UConn Huskies

CONN - Honig, Alex 15 yd pass from Neider, John (Freeman, Chris kick), 14:55. Huskies 7-0.
CUSE - Woody, Tripp 38 yd field goal, 3:37. Huskies 7-3.
CONN - Brown, Mel 45 yd run (Freeman, Chris kick), 1:02. Huskies 14-3.
CUSE - Woody, Tripp 32 yd field goal, 0:00. Huskies 14-6.
CONN - Freeman, Chris 35 yd field goal, 9:55. Huskies 17-6.
CUSE - Ross-Simmons, Justus 53 yd pass from Angeli, Steve (2PC no good), 5:41. Huskies 17-12.
CUSE - Willis, Yasin 3 yd run (Gill Jr., Darrell pass), 0:48. Orange 20-17.
CONN - Freeman, Chris 41 yd field goal, 0:01. Tied 20-20.
CUSE - Ross-Simmons, Justus 6 yd pass from Angeli, Steve (Woody, Tripp kick). Orange 27-20.

Game vs. Miami Hurricanes

MIA - Carson Beck 14-yard pass from Malachi Toney (Carter Davis kick), 2:16. Hurricanes 7-0.
MIA - Keionte Scott 38-yard interception return (Carter Davis kick), 1:50. Hurricanes 14-0.
SYR - Tripp Woody 38-yard field goal, 11:12. Hurricanes 14-3.
MIA - Keelan Marion 61-yard pass from Carson Beck (Carter Davis kick), 9:57. Hurricanes 21-3.
MIA - Girard Pringle Jr. 19-yard run (Carter Davis kick), 2:25. Hurricanes 28-3.
MIA - Carter Davis 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Hurricanes 31-3.
MIA - Francis Mauigoa 3-yard run (Bert Auburn kick), 2:53. Hurricanes 38-3.
SYR - Elijah Washington-Baker 17-yard pass from Joseph Filardi (Tripp Woody kick), 0:21. Hurricanes 38-10.

Offensive Roster

The Syracuse Orange offense showcased a diverse array of talent across various positions. Here's a breakdown of the offensive roster:

Quarterbacks

Steve Angeli: A 6' 3", 212 lbs Junior from Westfield, NJ, Angeli was the starting quarterback before his injury.
Rich Belin: A 6' 0", 195 lbs Freshman from Harlem, NY.
Luke Carney: A 6' 2", 205 lbs Freshman from Mesquite, TX.
Rickie Collins: A 6' 2", 210 lbs Sophomore from Baton Rouge, LA.
Joseph Filardi: A 6' 1", 195 lbs Freshman from Dix Hills, NY.
Jakhari Williams: A 6' 2", 210 lbs Freshman from Macon, GA.

Running Backs

Tyler Chandler: A 5' 8", 170 lbs Sophomore from Plantation, FL.
Malachi Coleman: A 5' 10", 190 lbs Freshman from Roanoke, VA.
Jaden Hart: A 5' 11", 210 lbs Sophomore from Michigan City, IN.
Tylik Hill: A 5' 9", 205 lbs Freshman from Asbury Park, NJ.
Malachi James: A 5' 11", 200 lbs Sophomore from Willingboro, NJ.
Will Nixon: A 5' 11", 205 lbs Senior from Waco, TX.
Yasin Willis: A 6' 1", 235 lbs Sophomore from Newark, NJ, Willis contributed with multiple rushing touchdowns during the season.

Fullbacks

Max Runyon: A 6' 0", 235 lbs Senior from Saddle River, NJ.

Wide Receivers

Nick Armentano: A 5' 8", 185 lbs Sophomore from Westport, CT.
Johntay Cook: A 6' 0", 198 lbs Junior from Desoto, TX, Cook had a touchdown reception in the game against Tennessee.
Gabe Daniels: A 6' 2", 195 lbs Freshman from Atlanta, GA.
Nate Edwards: A 6' 4", 180 lbs Freshman from Syosset, NY.
Darrell Gill Jr.: A 6' 3", 190 lbs Junior from Atascocita, TX.
Ta'Ron Haile: A 6' 0", 190 lbs Freshman from Millville, NJ.
Umari Hatcher: A 6' 3", 185 lbs Senior from Woodbridge, VA.
Jaylan Hornsby: A 6' 3", 215 lbs Freshman from Winslow, NJ.
Darius Johnson: A 5' 10", 180 lbs Freshman from Carol City, FL.
Julian McFadden: A 5' 11", 190 lbs Freshman from Conshohocken, PA.
Sean Murphy: A 5' 8", 170 lbs Sophomore from Churchville, NY.
Emanuel Ross: A 6' 2", 202 lbs Freshman from Jackson, NJ.
Justus Ross-Simmons: A 6' 3", 210 lbs Senior from Rochester, NY, Ross-Simmons had a 53-yard touchdown reception against UConn.
Tyshawn Russell: A 5' 11", 195 lbs Sophomore from Harrisburg, PA.
Ja'Meer Thomas: A 5' 10", 180 lbs Freshman from Buffalo, NY.
Terrell Wilfong: A 6' 6", 185 lbs Freshman from West Orange, NJ.
Darien Williams: A 6' 0", 185 lbs Freshman from Syracuse, NY.

Tight Ends

Daunte Bacheyie: A 6' 5", 210 lbs Freshman from Sylvan Beach, NY.
Wyatt Bowman: A 6' 5", 235 lbs Freshman from Bethesda, MD.
David Clement: A 6' 6", 260 lbs Junior from Albany, NY.
Chase Simmons: A 6' 4", 265 lbs Senior from Little River, SC.
Jamie Tremble: A 6' 4", 222 lbs Sophomore from Johns Creek, GA.
Dan Villari: A 6' 4", 245 lbs Senior from Massapequa, NY.
Elijah Washington-Baker: A 6' 7", 245 lbs Freshman from Norfolk, VA, Washington-Baker had a 17-yard touchdown reception against Miami.
Rubin Wasserman: A 5' 10", 230 lbs Freshman from Hillsborough, NJ.

Offensive Linemen

Patrick Alberga: A 6' 3", 295 lbs Senior from Saranac Lake, NY.
Naquil Betrand: A 6' 6", 320 lbs Sophomore from Philadelphia, PA.
Adam Boeheim: A 6' 4", 285 lbs Freshman from Carmel, NY.
Travis Brown-Miller: A 6' 6", 330 lbs Freshman from Teaneck, NJ.
Carter Clark: A 6' 5", 295 lbs Junior from Hilton, NY.
Austin Collins: A 6' 3", 305 lbs Senior from Perrysburg, OH.
Joe Cruz: A 6' 5", 315 lbs Junior from Holbrook, NY.
TJ Ferguson: A 6' 4", 320 lbs Senior from Fort Valley, GA.
Skylar Harvey: A 6' 7", 330 lbs Freshman from Baltimore, MD.
Matthew Hawn: A 6' 6", 310 lbs Freshman from Syracuse, NY.
Jackson Iak: A 6' 4", 300 lbs Freshman from Pawling, NY.
Trevion Mack: A 6' 6", 320 lbs Sophomore from Mounds View, MN.
Jayden Mann: A 6' 4", 315 lbs Freshman from Brooklyn, NY.
Joshua Miller: A 6' 4", 320 lbs Sophomore from Chesterfield, VA.
Ted Olsen: A 6' 2", 285 lbs Sophomore from Palos Verdes Estates, CA.
Mark Petry: A 6' 4", 301 lbs Senior from Hochheim am Main, Germany.
Kam Pringle: A 6' 8", 335 lbs Freshman from Dorchester, SC.
Zach Rice: A 6' 5", 320 lbs Junior from Lynchburg, VA.
D'Joni Scatliffe: A 6' 7", 315 lbs Freshman from Orlando, FL.
Kardiear Shepherd: A 6' 7", 310 lbs Freshman from Syracuse, NY.
Vito Shevchenko: A 6' 7", 310 lbs Freshman from Vancouver, Canada.
Kahlil Stewart: A 6' 4", 330 lbs Freshman from Norristown, PA.
Byron Washington: A 6' 7", 400 lbs Freshman from Desoto, TX.
Da'Metrius Weatherspoon: A 6' 7", 320 lbs Senior from Clairton, PA.

Defensive Roster

The Syracuse Orange defense featured a mix of experience and youth, aiming to disrupt opposing offenses. Here's an overview of the defensive roster:

Read also: SU and the City

Defensive Linemen

Marcale Billue: A 6' 0", 265 lbs Sophomore from Syracuse, NY.
Clark Calloway: A 6' 4", 280 lbs Freshman from Johns Creek, GA.
Elijah Crawford: A 6' 4", 285 lbs Freshman from Perry Hall, MD.
Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff: A 6' 4", 295 lbs Senior from Bronx, NY.
Quante Gillians: A 6' 3", 290 lbs Freshman from Rochester, NY.
Isaiah Hastings: A 6' 4", 310 lbs Junior from Toronto, Canada.
Denis Jaquez Jr.: A 6' 4", 265 lbs Senior from Pennsauken, NJ.
Kevin Jobity Jr.: A 6' 4", 300 lbs Senior from Buffalo, NY.
Nathan Nyandoro: A 6' 6", 270 lbs Freshman from Montreal, Canada.
Nissi Ogbebor: A 6' 6", 300 lbs Freshman from Ottawa, Canada.
Rashard Perry: A 6' 3", 295 lbs Junior from Buffalo, NY.
Jaylen Pray: A 6' 6", 290 lbs Freshman from Bronx, NY.
David Reese: A 6' 2", 250 lbs Senior from Fort Pierce, FL.
George Rooks: A 6' 5", 295 lbs Senior from Jersey City, NJ.
Chris Thomas: A 6' 6", 315 lbs Senior from Tallahassee, FL.
Eric Thomas: A 6' 4", 330 lbs Freshman from Miami, FL.
DeAngelo Thompson: A 6' 3", 235 lbs Freshman from Miami, FL.
Dion Wilson Jr.: A 6' 5", 305 lbs Senior from Perris, CA.

Linebackers

Caden Brown: A 6' 4", 225 lbs Sophomore from Queens, NY.
Gary Bryant III: A 6' 1", 228 lbs Junior from Baltimore, MD.
Antoine Deslauriers: A 6' 1", 235 lbs Freshman from Montreal, Canada.
Fatim Diggs: A 6' 2", 230 lbs Freshman from Camden, NJ.
Trey Dudley: A 6' 1", 230 lbs Freshman from Ashburn, VA.
James Heard: A 6' 2", 230 lbs Sophomore from Camden, NJ.
Josh Kubala: A 6' 2", 230 lbs Junior from Syracuse, NY.
Jahide Lesaine Jr.: A 6' 4", 250 lbs Sophomore from Newark, NJ.
Derek McDonald: A 6' 4", 230 lbs Senior from Atlanta, GA.
Zyian Moultrie-Goddard: A 6' 0", 230 lbs Sophomore from Bronx, NY.
David Omopariola: A 6' 3", 260 lbs Sophomore from Baltimore, MD.
Luis Puente: A 6' 1", 225 lbs Freshman from Bradenton, FL.
Anwar Sparrow: A 6' 1", 225 lbs Senior from Virginia Beach, VA.
Garvin St.

Coaching Staff

The Syracuse Orange were led by second-year head coach Fran Brown.

Recruiting and Rankings

Syracuse's recruiting efforts for the 2025 season were notable. According to 247Sports.com, the team had several commits. The team rankings composite provided an overall measure of the program's recruiting success.

Read also: History of Bird Library

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