Steve Angeli is ready to assume his starting role again after missing eight games with a torn Achilles.
Syracuse football training camp is underway in Central New York as the Orange are looking to improve from a 3-9 record in 2025.
Though the Orange were picked 14th in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the preseason poll, there has been renewed optimism this preseason.
Why? Because of the return of quarterback Steve Angeli.
Angeli met with the media after Wednesday's practice, including SyracuseRoundtable. Here's what you need to know:
The Steve Angeli file
The former Notre Dame quarterback joined Syracuse via the transfer portal before the 2025 season. In the lead up to the opening game, fans wondered if it would be Angeli or former Orange quarterback Rickie Collins as the starting signal caller. Angeli won the job and helped lead the team to a 3-1 record in his four starts, but the group lost eight straight after he went down with the Achilles.
He did not play in the team's spring game as he continued to recover, but he's been a full participant in practice all camp long.
Though there are intriguing backup options behind him, Angeli figures to be the starter as long as he's healthy.
How did Angeli perform in 2025?
Despite missing the final eight games, Angeli finished the season with 1,317 passing yards, 10 touchdown and two interceptions.
How did the Syracuse offense perform under year one under Jeff Nixon?
Although Angeli performed well in his starts, the Orange's offense struggled as a whole in 2025. Syracuse averaged just 20.2 points per game, ranking 15th in the ACC and 105th nationally. The team's total offense in yards per game was 320.7 which finished as 109th in FBS and 15th in ACC.
Jeff Nixon is the offensive coordinator.
What does Angeli like about his second season in the system?
"When you enter into year two with an offensive coordinator you kind of understand the relationship we have and you know what he is going to call in certain situations. He knows what I like on certain calls. I know what play he is going to do so it kind of allows us to play one step faster from a playcaller to quarterback stand point. So it really is getting on the same page with him when we are at practice or at a two minute drill or third down period, kind of know what he is going to call and what we like so he does a great job with that. "
Why Orange fans should be encouraged about the offense improving?
Angeli returning for a second season is not the only reason Orange fans should be encouraged about an improved offense in 2026. The team also added standout players like running back Ahamd Miller, wide receiver Cole Weaver and tight end Noah Meyers in the transfer portal. All three players were key contributors at their previous school and are projected to be impact offensive play makers.
What is the next week look like for the Orange?
The Orange have a closed practice on Thursday and will open the practice again to the media on Friday. SyracuseRoundtable's on-scene coverage will continue Friday with practice scheduled to take place again at the Ensley Center.
Syracuse has 13 more scheduled practices in the remainder of August.
