When the Syracuse Orange hired former Toledo DC Vince Kehres, we immediately looked to see what players could follow him to Syracuse. Yesterday, the first former Rocket committed to the Orange.
Linebacker Chris D’Appolonia will join Syracuse after playing two seasons for Toledo. The 6’3” 240 lb D’Appolonia was a third=team All-MAC selection this past season.
D’Appolonia had 68 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 2025. He excelled
in pass coverage with a PFF grade of 81.6 which was 42nd out of over 700 linebackers. His skillset should help the Syracuse linebacker group which struggled in coverage last season. D’Appolonia will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Four former Orange have made decisions on their new schools. Yasin Willis is heading to Kansas, Rickie Collins to Kennesaw State, Josh Miller to Austin Peay and Ethan Stangle is joining Alabama.
