Given all the turnover in the wide receiver room for the Syracuse football program this offseason, it was already assumed that incoming transfer Elijah Moore would feature prominently in the team's offense.

However, he may have an even more outsized role considering the news that Syracuse head coach Fran Brown delivered on Tuesday, saying that top freshman recruit Calvin Russell III is out for an "indefinite" period of time with an injury. The injury was not specified.

While it's pointless to speculate on Russell's length of absence, it's at least worth noting that should he miss any time, Moore will be an even more important part of the offensive attack for quarterback Steve Angeli.

Speaking to Syracuse.com this week, Moore said that he's excited to play in the Syracuse offense, where he'll have an opportunity to succeed. He also said that he left NIL money on the table by coming to Syracuse. 

“Everybody can eat in the offense that they have,” Moore said.

“When it comes to football and my skill set and the type of offense me, as a receiver, I’m looking for, it fit perfectly. It was like it was a puzzle piece. And it backed up what they were saying by watching the film and doing research on [offensive coordinator Jeff] Nixon and all the coaching staff, really.”

He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024, but had just one catch this past season at Florida State.

A Maryland native, he has only five catches in two seasons, totaling 72 yards. As noted by Brent Axe of Syracuse.com, he has three years of eligibility left because he earned a redshirt for one of his seasons. He was the No. 1 player in Maryland for his recruiting class. 

(with help from cfbdepth.com)

Ahmad Miller, RB (Jackson State)

Jartavius Flounoy, DT (Georgia State)

Cole Weaver, WR (Miami of Ohio)

Ju'Juan Johnson, RB (LSU)

Chris D'Appolonia, LB (Toledo)

Elijah Moore, WR (Florida State)

Keyshawn Johnson, Edge (UT-Martin)

Dillan Fontus, DL (Maryland)

Amari Odom, QB (Kennesaw State) 

Amare Snowden, DB (Toledo)

Tunmise Adeleye, DE (UNLV)

Nazir Ward, DB (Western Kentucky)

Matthew Outten, WR (Penn State)

Syracuse will continue to practice up until the spring game on April 11. The Orange went 3-9 a season ago but are looking to rebound in a big way in 2026. Angeli's health will be a big part of that.

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