When could Orange fans see their starting quarterback back in the lineup?
After suffering a season ending injury in September of 2025, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli looks to be progressing well in his recovery, according to head coach Fran Brown.
Brown made the comments to On3's Andy Staples earlier this week.
“Steve hit 19 mph running on Thursday. He’s damn near 100"
But, in addition to praising his recovery, Brown made it clear that there will some competition for the starting quarterback position in 2026.
“I think Steve will be a Draft pick..so if one of these guys beats out Steve, it’s like, okay.”
Despite missing the final eight games of the season with a torn Achilles, Angeli finished the season with 1,317 passing yards, 10 touchdown and two interceptions.
Angeli, the former Notre Dame quarterback, did not participate in the team's spring game last month. Although he did appear on the practice field during the spring season, Angeli did not log any plays during the spring game in April.
Angeli to be challenged by Malachi Nelson?
In that same conversation with Staples, Brown mentioned the growth of recent transfer portal quarterback Malachi Nelson.
Nelson, a California native, is a recent addition to the roster via the transfer portal. In 2023, ESPN named Nelson the No.1 recruit in the country. Nelson signed with USC out of high school but did not see action as eventual Heisman Trophy winner and NFL number No. 1 draft pick pick, Caleb Williams, led the Trojans.
Brown said this about Nelson:
"I’m super impressed. I can’t wait to watch him and Steve compete.”
and "He's not really worrying about the world no more"
The Orange open their season on Sept. 5 inside the JMA Wireless Dome against New Hampshire. Kickoff time is still to be determined.
Weekend stories from the Orange
--The football schedule will consist of only Saturday home games for this season. The Orange will host SMU on October 31 and Clemson on November 7, which are both Saturday's. There had been conversation about those games being on Friday's. Syracuse does have a non-Saturday game in Week 3 at Pitt.
--Our own Brady Farkas previewed the men's lacrosse NCAA quarterfinal matchup between Syracuse and North Carolina. The Orange are looking to avenge the two losses suffered to the Tar Heels earlier this season. A win for Syracuse would clinch a second consecutive trip to the Final Four. Faceoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
--Women's basketball has added another player to its roster. Emely Rodriguez will join the team after spending last season with the Iowa Hawkeyes. An injury forced Rodriguez to miss a significant amount of action last season. In 2024-25 Rodriguez was an All-Big XII Freshman team selection at Central Florida, ranking second on the team in both scoring and rebounding. A native of the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez looks to be a significant contributor for the Orange.
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