Brown Inks Highest Ranked Recruiting Class in Syracuse History
12/5/2025 9:39:00 AM | Football
Head Coach Fran Brown and the Syracuse football staff have officially signed the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history.
The class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell III, who signed Thursday evening, giving Brown the program's highest-rated recruit in 25 years. Russell is the No. 23 overall player in the class and No. 2 ranked wide receiver.Â
The 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 30 in the 247Sports' composite class rankings – which takes into account players recruiting rankings across every major recruiting service into its formula.
Brown has now signed Syracuse's three-highest ranked recruiting classes ever (rankings are only available since the advent of national recruiting services in 2001).
The current 'Cuse staff has paid immediate dividends in attracting elite talent to Syracuse. 247Sports tracks recruit rankings since 2000. In the 26 years of data, 23 of the top-50 ranked recruits to ever sign with Syracuse have come on Brown's watch in the last-three seasons.
This year's class ranks sixth in the ACC according to 247Sports and seventh in the league by the 247Sports composite rankings.
In addition to Russell, wide receiver Amare Gough, defensive lineman Alex Haskell, defensive back Tedarius Hughes, defensive lineman Kamron Wilson, defensive lineman Jarius Rodgers and offensive lineman Javeion Cooper all rank as four star prospects by at least one recruiting service. That group, plus defensive back Chase Geter, offensive lineman Joseph White, defensive lineman Darnell Stokes Jr., linebackers Gemaus Sackie and Maurice Medley, tight end Carter Bashir, Quarterback Zaid Lott, Punter Jimmy Gregg and Kicker Shay Barker all carry a top-50 ranking at their position by one-or-more of the three major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals/On3 and/or ESPN).
Gregg (No. 1 punter), Russell (No. 2 wide receiver), Barker (No. 7 kicker) all rank in the top-10 at their respective positions.
This recruiting class joins a Syracuse program that returns a wealth of young talent off the 2025 season. Quarterback Steve Angeli – who was leading the nation in passing at the time of his injury – returns to headline the offense.
Syracuse had the most first-time starters in the Power 4 in 2025. That experience, playing a schedule that featured the second-most bowl eligible opponents in the nation, will pay dividends in 2026.
Freshman Demetres Samuel Jr., who finished fourth in the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Antoine Deslauriers, who became the first true freshman in program history to lead the Orange in tackles, and Byron Washington, who played the seventh-most snaps among true freshmen offensive guards in the nation this season, are just some of the rookies who made immediate impacts this season.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are available for purchase or renewal now at Cuse.com/FootballTickets. Get yours today!
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The class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell III, who signed Thursday evening, giving Brown the program's highest-rated recruit in 25 years. Russell is the No. 23 overall player in the class and No. 2 ranked wide receiver.Â
The 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 30 in the 247Sports' composite class rankings – which takes into account players recruiting rankings across every major recruiting service into its formula.
Brown has now signed Syracuse's three-highest ranked recruiting classes ever (rankings are only available since the advent of national recruiting services in 2001).
The current 'Cuse staff has paid immediate dividends in attracting elite talent to Syracuse. 247Sports tracks recruit rankings since 2000. In the 26 years of data, 23 of the top-50 ranked recruits to ever sign with Syracuse have come on Brown's watch in the last-three seasons.
This year's class ranks sixth in the ACC according to 247Sports and seventh in the league by the 247Sports composite rankings.
In addition to Russell, wide receiver Amare Gough, defensive lineman Alex Haskell, defensive back Tedarius Hughes, defensive lineman Kamron Wilson, defensive lineman Jarius Rodgers and offensive lineman Javeion Cooper all rank as four star prospects by at least one recruiting service. That group, plus defensive back Chase Geter, offensive lineman Joseph White, defensive lineman Darnell Stokes Jr., linebackers Gemaus Sackie and Maurice Medley, tight end Carter Bashir, Quarterback Zaid Lott, Punter Jimmy Gregg and Kicker Shay Barker all carry a top-50 ranking at their position by one-or-more of the three major recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals/On3 and/or ESPN).
Gregg (No. 1 punter), Russell (No. 2 wide receiver), Barker (No. 7 kicker) all rank in the top-10 at their respective positions.
This recruiting class joins a Syracuse program that returns a wealth of young talent off the 2025 season. Quarterback Steve Angeli – who was leading the nation in passing at the time of his injury – returns to headline the offense.
Syracuse had the most first-time starters in the Power 4 in 2025. That experience, playing a schedule that featured the second-most bowl eligible opponents in the nation, will pay dividends in 2026.
Freshman Demetres Samuel Jr., who finished fourth in the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Antoine Deslauriers, who became the first true freshman in program history to lead the Orange in tackles, and Byron Washington, who played the seventh-most snaps among true freshmen offensive guards in the nation this season, are just some of the rookies who made immediate impacts this season.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are available for purchase or renewal now at Cuse.com/FootballTickets. Get yours today!
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/ FootballFran Brown Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Syracuse Football - Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Syracuse Football Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 29
Players Postgame vs. Boston College
Saturday, November 29
