While there is still another week of the transfer portal, let’s try and make some sense of the 2026 Syracuse Orange roster as it stands right now. Yesterday we looked at the offense and today it’s the defense
and special teams.
Defensive Line: Isaiah Hastings, Nathan Nyandoro, Jaylen Prey, Elijah Crawford, Rashard Perry, Nissi Ogbebor, Clark Calloway, Keyshawn Johnson, Dillan Fontus, Jartavius Flounoy, Tunmise Adeleye, Kamron Wilson, Jarius Rodgers, Alex Haskell, Walt Frazier, Kordae Houston
Johnson and Adeleye are going to need to help Syracuse get a better rush than last year. Their additions might allow Nyandoro, Ogbebor, Wilson and Rodgers more time to develop. Bigger question is how will this group hold up against the run? It looks like Syracuse has done more this off-season on the defensive line than the offensive line, but will we see how it translates on the field.
Linebackers: Antoine Deslauriers, Gary Bryant III, David Omopariola, Jamie Tremble, Zyian Moultrie-Goddard, Trey Dudley, Garvin St. Jean, Josh Kubala, Fran Brown Jr., Chris D’Appolonia, Gemaus Sackie, Maurice Medley
Deslauriers had an outstanding freshman season and seems poised to man the inside while D’Appolonia brings needed coverage skills to the group. We’ll have to see how new DC Vince Kehres deploys Omopariola and Tremble who have been primarily edge rushers so far in their careers.
Defensive backs: Demetres Samuel, Chris Peal, Braheem Long, Jr, Davien Kerr, Cornell Perry, Rayshown Andrews, Ziyyon Bredell, Javon Lawrence, Marcus Washington, Jr, Nate Prater, Lucas Vermeulen, James Trotter, Bradley Chandler, Tedarius Hughes, Chase Geter, Cameron Hairston-Taylor, Ibn Muhammed, Nazir Ward, Amare Snowden
Samuel and Peal should have the corner slots solidified so now the Orange have to figure out the safety spots. Long has the inside track, while Kerr and Perry have experience.Hughes could be the next freshman to start for Syracuse. This position was hit pretty hard by departures in terms of graduation and the portal, but having two solid corners is a great start.
Specialists: Tripp Woody, Jimmy Gregg, Shay Barker, Fran Brown, Jr., Mateja Pavlovich
Woody excelled last year, but the pressure will be on the freshman Gregg to replace Jack Stonehouse. Barker might be handling kickoffs, while returns are an area the Orange will be looking to improve. Syracuse hasn’t had a game-breaker in the return game in a while with only 11 kickoff return touchdowns since 1992. There are a lot of athletic players on the roster and it would help if one emerges as a threat in the return game.
