Honestly, if you took a nap during the 2025 season and just woke up, the Syracuse Orange football depth chart might look like a total stranger to you. It’s been a wild ride. Following a disappointing 3-9 finish last year, Fran Brown didn’t just tweak things; he basically took a sledgehammer to the roster and the coaching staff.
Between the flurry of transfer portal entries and some serious "demotions" on the sidelines, the 'Cuse is entering 2026 with a chip on its shoulder and a lot of new faces. If you’re trying to keep track of who’s actually lining up in the JMA Wireless Dome this fall, you've got to look at the massive influx of talent Brown is bringing in to fix what broke in 2025.
The Quarterback Room: Who's Taking the Snaps?
The biggest question on everyone's mind is under center. Last year was a disaster for the QB room after Steve Angeli went down in week four. We saw a rotation that felt like a game of musical chairs between Rickie Collins, Luke Carney, and even Joe Filardi.
For the 2026 season, the competition is wide open. Rickie Collins is back as a redshirt sophomore, and while he had some flashes, the staff is clearly looking for more consistency. Then you have Luke Carney, who preserved his redshirt last year. He's got that "it" factor people talk about, but he's still young.
Interestingly, the portal is still active. As of mid-January 2026, the Orange have been hosting guys like Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and Braden Atkinson (Mercer). It’s pretty clear Fran Brown isn't content with just "hoping" one of the current guys takes the leap. He wants a battle.
Skill Positions: Speed, Speed, and More Speed
If there’s one thing Fran Brown can do, it’s recruit. The wide receiver corps is looking significantly more dangerous than it did twelve months ago.
🔗 Read more: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
- Elijah Moore: This is a massive get. A transfer from Florida State, Moore brings that ACC pedigree and elite speed.
- Justus Ross-Simmons: Now a senior, he's the veteran presence this group desperately needs.
- Johntay Cook II: He’s still the wildcard. If he can stay healthy and consistent, he’s a Sunday player.
The backfield is also going through a transition. Yasin Willis is the guy everyone expects to carry the load as a sophomore. He’s a bowling ball of a runner. But don't sleep on Ju’Juan Johnson, the LSU transfer. He’s incredibly versatile—some people think he’s a running back, others see him as a hybrid threat. Either way, he's going to have the ball in his hands.
Fixing the Trenches: The New Look Offensive Line
You can't win in the ACC if your quarterback is constantly running for his life. That was the story of late 2025. The Syracuse Orange football depth chart on the offensive line has been overhauled with a "bigger is better" philosophy.
Trevion Mack is holding down the left tackle spot as a redshirt sophomore. He’s got the frame, but he needs to show he can handle the elite edge rushers in this conference. Next to him, you'll likely see TJ Ferguson, a senior transfer who brings much-needed maturity to a group that often looked confused last season.
The staff also brought back Codie Hornsby, which is a bit of a "full circle" moment. Having a guy who knows the system—even with the coaching changes—is a stabilizing force for a unit that was, frankly, a sieve at times last year.
The Defensive Identity Shift
The defense was... well, let's just say 128th in scoring defense isn't where you want to be. Fran Brown took it personally. He demoted Elijah Robinson and eventually replaced him with Vince Kehres as the new Defensive Coordinator.
💡 You might also like: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
Expect a 4-2-5 look that prioritizes secondary play—which makes sense given Fran's background.
Defensive Line and Edge
The Orange landed some serious beef in the portal. Dillan Fontus (Maryland) and Keyshawn Johnson (UT Martin) were added specifically to stop the run, which was a massive Achilles' heel last year.
Denis Jaquez Jr. is the veteran leader on the edge. He's got to be the one to generate pressure so the young secondary doesn't have to cover for five seconds every play.
The Secondary: "Duce" is Back
Duce Chestnut is the heart of this unit. He's a redshirt senior now, and his experience is invaluable. Opposite him, you’ll see a lot of Demetres Samuel Jr., who played as a true freshman and showed he belongs.
Devin Grant at Free Safety is another pillar. He’s a ball-hawk. If the defensive line can just give these guys a chance by pressuring the QB, the interception numbers should skyrocket in 2026.
Coaching Staff Carousel
It wasn't just players leaving. The sidelines look different too.
📖 Related: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
- Vince Kehres: New Defensive Coordinator.
- John Scott: Hired from Florida State to coach the Defensive Line.
- Juan Castillo: The veteran NFL mind brought in to fix the Offensive Line.
- Alex Byar: New Special Teams Coordinator coming over from Bowling Green.
This is a "prove it" year for Fran Brown. He had a great 10-win debut in 2024, but the 2025 collapse put him on the hot seat for some of the more vocal fans. By surrounding himself with experienced coaches like Castillo and Scott, he's basically saying the "rookie mistakes" are over.
Why This Depth Chart Matters Right Now
Most people look at a depth chart and just see names. But for Syracuse, this specific 2026 iteration represents a shift in philosophy. They’re moving away from being a "scrappy underdog" and trying to build a roster that actually looks like a top-tier ACC contender.
The sheer number of transfers—at least nine major commits by early January—shows that the staff knows they can't wait for three-star recruits to develop over four years. They need to win now.
Sorta feels like a high-stakes gamble, doesn't it? If the transfers gel, Syracuse is a bowl team again. If they don't, we might be looking at another long winter in Central New York.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Spring Game: Pay attention to the offensive line rotations. If the same five guys stay in for the majority of the first-team reps, it means Castillo has found his group.
- Follow the QB Battle: Don't assume the starter on day one of camp is the guy for the season. With Carney and Collins, it could be a week-to-week situation until someone truly separates.
- Track the Transfer Portal: The window closes on January 16, but keep an eye on post-spring entries. Syracuse still has a few scholarship spots they could use on a veteran linebacker or another interior lineman.
- Check the Injury Report: Last year's collapse started with injuries. The depth is better this year, but losing a key piece like Duce Chestnut would still be devastating for the 4-2-5 scheme.
The 2026 season is going to be about redemption. The talent is there on paper—now they just have to prove it on the turf.
Next Steps for Roster Tracking
- Monitor the January 16 transfer portal deadline to see if any late-cycle quarterbacks or offensive linemen join the 2026 squad.
- Keep an eye on the Spring Practice schedule usually announced in February, as this will be the first time we see the new-look 4-2-5 defense under Vince Kehres in a live setting.
- Watch for the official Spring Game date to get a first-hand look at the QB battle between Rickie Collins and Luke Carney.