There have been several exciting additions to the Syracuse University wide receiver room for 2026 via recruiting and the transfer portal. The Orange have added Calvin Russell, among the top recruits in program history, as well as transfers Elijah Moore (Florida State), Cole Weaver (Miami of Ohio) and Matthew Outten (Penn State).

However, those gains haven't come without some attrition as well. The Orange have already lost Emanuel Ross (Connecticut) to the portal, and Johntay Cook is in the portal as well. Darrell Gill Jr., who the Orange reportedly wanted to stay, officially found a new home on Wednesday, signing with Ole Miss.

He will head to Oxford with one year of eligibility remaining. A three-year player for the Orange, Gill appeared in 37 games, earning 70 catches and 1,136 yards. He has eight total receiving touchdowns and led the ACC in yards/reception (18.4) in 2024 as Syracuse won 10 games, including the Holiday Bowl.

Given that Ole Miss just reached the final four of the College Football Playoff, it's understandable why he would want to play there.

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)

Amari Odom, QB (Kennesaw State) 

Amare Snowden, DB (Toledo)

Tunmise Adeleye, DE (UNLV)

Nazir Ward, DB (Western Kentucky)

Matthew Outten, WR (Penn State)

***It should be noted that Smith's transfer is evidently causing some hiccups. He reportedly wanted to return to South Carolina, but Syracuse is making that difficult. 

--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)

Luke Carney, QB (Houston)

Emanuel Ross, WR (UConn)

After finishing 3-9 in 2025, Syracuse football seems down on its luck - but it's easy to see the optimism in this group. New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres built a top-ranked defense at Toledo, and quarterback Steve Angeli should be healthy after missing the final eight games (all losses) because of a torn Achilles. The Orange have also done a good job finding already established talent in the portal.

The Syracuse women's basketball team (14-3) will host Cal on Thursday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is 6 p.m. ET.

The men's basketball team (12-5) will visit Boston College on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m. ET). The Orange have won three straight.

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