Derek McDonald is headed to UNC.
As of this posting, the Syracuse University football program has landed nine new commits because of the transfer portal. However, they've lost, or are in the process of losing, several players themselves.
Another loss was made official on Saturday as linebacker Derek McDonald officially left Central New York for North Carolina, opting to sign with Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Per Hayes Fawcett of On3 on social media:
BREAKING: Syracuse transfer LB Derek McDonald has Committed to North Carolina, his agent tells @On3Sports
He’s totaled 161 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 3 PD, & 1 FR in his career thus far
1 year of eligibility left
More about McDonald
A Georgia native, McDonald has spent each of the past four years with the Orange. However, he only played four games this season, which earned him the extra redshirt year. His best year was his sophomore year (2023), in which he had 67 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, he recorded that interception in his freshman season.
Why would he transfer?
In modern college football, which is driven by the transfer portal and NIL, you never really know, so it's not really worth speculating. The bottom line is that he's gone, and that he's gone to a conference rival. However, North Carolina doesn't look like much of a threat at the moment, as the Tar Heels went just 4-8 and made national headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2025.
Who Syracuse has gained in the transfer portal
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)
Dillan Fontus, DL (Maryland)
Who Syracuse has lost in the transfer portal
--Via CFBDepth.com
Yasin Willis, RB (Kansas)
Kaylib Singelton, DB (Mississippi State)
Ibn McDaniels, DB (Penn State)
Joshua Miller, OL (Austin Peay)
Rickie Collins, QB (Kennesaw State)
Jahide Lesaine Jr., LB (Monmouth)
Also on campus
--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.
--The SU women are 13-3 and will visit Virginia on Sunday.
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