The NCAA football transfer portal features all kinds of players. Some players were former big-time recruits, some players were not. Some players went to big schools out of high school and are now looking to drop down a level. Others went to small schools and are looking to move up.

Some have already established themselves as good players, while others are looking for that next opportunity to do so.

In the case of who Syracuse University is targeting in the portal, there seems to be a clear trend emerging: The Orange are valuing players who have already established themselves as productive players.

Let's take a look:

Ahmad Miller, RB (Jackson State)

Jartavius Flounoy, DT (Georgia State)

Cole Weaver, WR (Miami of Ohio)

Ju'Juan Johnson, RB (LSU)

Michael Smith, TE (South Carolina)

Chris D'Appolonia, LB (Toledo)

Elijah Moore, WR (Florida State)

Keyshawn Johnson, Edge (UT-Martin)

Five of those eight players: Miller, Flounoy, Weaver, D'Appolonia and Johnson, have all proven themselves as solid players at the lower levels. Again, Fran Brown's coaching staff seems to be targeting players who have shown to successful, as opposed to players who are running on "potential" or "former recruiting prowess."

In the case of Miller, Flounoy and Johnson, Brown's staff has dipped into the FCS level for talent.

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--Johnson played two seasons at Tennessee-Martin and one season at Grambling State, meaning that he has one year of eligibility left for the Orange. He had 30 solo tackles in 2025 to go along with two forced fumbles and 13.5 sacks. He was a first-team FCS All-American. He hails from Bella Glade, Florida.

--D'Appolonia appeared in 26 games over parts of three seasons with the Rockets, but he only played two games in 2024, meaning he earned a medical redshirt. As a result, he'll have two years of eligibility for the Orange.

This past season for Toledo, D'Appolonia had 36 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He also had four pass deflections and a forced fumble. He gets bonus points for having played for new SU defensive coordinator Vince Kehres at Toledo.

--Listed at 6'0, Miller just finished his third season at Jackson State. A Memphis, Tenn. native, he was an All-SWAC selection after carrying the ball 165 times for 1,054 yards in 2025. He had six rushing touchdowns while also adding five catches out of the backfield.

Though he's appeared in games for three seasons, a season-ending injury in 2024 earned him a medical redshirt. Thus, he also still has two years of eligibility left for the Orange.

--As for Flounoy? He just wrapped up his freshman season at Georgia State, where he appeared in 11 games. A Georgia native, he had 22 tackles and six tackles for loss. He led his team in sacks with three, which is hard to do from a defensive tackle position. He's listed at 6'1 and 325 pounds.

--And Weaver? A solid player out of the Mid-American Conference, he just had 45 catches for 642 yards and a touchdown. Has two years left of eligibility for the Orange.

Syracuse is trying to dip into the FCS ranks even more, as they are recruiting quarterbacks Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and Braden Atkinson (Mercer).

--The Syracuse men's basketball team is back in action on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Pittsburgh as part of ACC play. The Orange are 10-5 on the season and 1-1 inside the league. The Panthers are 0-2 in the ACC and should provide Syracuse with another winnable contest.

The Orange defeated Georgia Tech on Tuesday night in Atlanta.

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