The Orange concluded training camp practices on Friday evening, with all eyes on the Sept. 5 opener.
Friday was the final time media members were able to see the Syracuse Orange football team before the team transitions to game week practices next week.
While training camp has gone on for over three weeks, Syracuse now will begin a different style of practice as they prep for their matchup on Sept. 5 against New Hampshire. The Orange will have no observational periods for media (more on that later), and will begin building a different schedule as travel and games impact weeks.
Here's the three notes from Friday:
Justus Ross-Simmons is eligible again
The back and forth between wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons and his eligibility continues, and as of Friday evening, Ross-Simmons is eligible again.
ESPN's Dan Murphy reported this on X:
"A judge in Dallas signed a TRO today that would allow roughly two dozen outgoing senior to return to college sports. If the NCAA or SEC wants to try to block any of their returns, they would have to go to court and argue their case in front of the judge, acc'd to the order."
Ross-Simmons is one of the more than 20 athletes included in this ruling.
A Syracuse spokesperson confirmed Ross-Simmons was eligible to return to practice and now is eligible to play next Saturday against New Hampshire.
The senior wideout played the past two seasons for the Orange, combining for more than 500 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
As the NCAA continues to fight these rulings, don't expect this to be the last of this saga. Should he end up eligible in the end, he'll likely be a big part of the Orange offense, especially as the team plays without star recruit Calvin Russell III, who is out for most or all of the season recovering from a torn Achilles.
No observational practice time for media
When the practice schedule was released earlier this month, both Thursday and Friday's practices were originally planned with "observational periods" for media members. The observational periods are allotted times during practice when media members are allowed to watch/record/share some content from practice.
Earlier this week, the observational time for this practice was canceled. While we didn't have access to practice itself, all players, following practice, were dressed in team t-shirts and shorts. This leads us to believe that this practice featured less contact, which is different than what we've seen through much of August.
There were some fully padded practices over the last month and the Orange had seemingly focused on physicality at times.
Steve Angeli talks excitement for offense and upcoming season
Quarterback Steve Angeli spoke to the media and spoke about the bond between himself and offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon. The two share a mutual desire to see the offense improve from a season ago.
Angeli had the Orange out to a 3-1 record last season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4. Syracuse finished 3-9, losing eight straight games after his injury.
Angeli threw for 1,317 yards last season and 10 touchdowns. He had just two interceptions.
Syracuse averaged 20.2 ppg last season, which was No. 118 in the nation.
