A pair of Syracuse football players will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, they announced on social media.

Expressing their intentions were defensive end Ibn McDaniels and linebacker Caden Brown , who both have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

McDaniels said goodbye to Syracuse on Tuesday morning via social media site X.

“To my Syracuse teammates: The bonds we’ve built will stay with me forever. The brotherhood is real, and it was an honor to go to battle with you every day," he wrote.

“To the loyal Syracuse fans: Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown me throughout my time here. I truly appreciate it and will never forget it. Go Orange.

“To coach Fran Brown and the entire Syracuse football staff: Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to grow as both a player and a person.

"After deep thought and consideration about my future, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”

He is a 6-3, 205-pound player from Elizabeth, N.J. He played in 11 of 12 games in the recently concluded season, making two tackles. In 2024, he appeared in four games, also with two tackles, and took a redshirt season.

As a prospect, the 247Sports composite listed him as a three-star recruit, No. 23 in New Jersey, in the Class of 2024.

Brown was a Syracuse legacy; his father, Alban Brown, played linebacker for the Orange from 1987-89.

The younger Brown was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports composite, which listed him as the No. 5 player in New York. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder played high school football at Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn.

As a true freshman in 2024, he played in 11 games – mostly on special teams – and made three tackles. This season, he played in just two games and made two tackles, according to the Syracuse online statistics. That will allow him to use 2025 as a redshirt season.

“My two years at Syracuse University have been a period of tremendous personal and athletic growth,” he posted to social media. “I am proud to have developed my skill set as a versatile player here . … As I look ahead, I am eager to explore new opportunities and commit my work ethic, passion, and dedication to my next team. I will be entering the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility remaining.”

Running back Malachi James and walk-on wide receiver Nick Armentano previously said they intended to enter the portal when it opens.

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