Syracuse Orange football: An early look at the 2025 offense by position

As we get ready for the newest Syracuse Orange to arrive on campus this month, we wanted to do our best to recap the roster and its arrivals and departures so far. Let's take a look at what the 2025 Dutch offense looks like by position:

Quarterback

Departing: Kyle McCord (maybe?), Carlos Del-Rio Wilson, Braden Davis

Returning: Jakhari Williams, Michael Johnson, Jr., AJ Miller, Patrick Grusser

Incoming: Rickie Collins (transfer from LSU), Luke Carney (HS) and Rich Belin (HS)

Early Outlook:

Well, McCord's waiver decision will result in a huge turnaround for the QB room. If he is given another season and decides to return to Syracuse, the Orange will have one of the best QBs in the country. If not, then they might trust the infringement to start a first move against it Tennessee volunteers in the 2025 opener. Collins has the HS pedigree and Williams has the year on offense, but we suspect if McCord leaves for the NFL, Syracuse will add another QB starting in the spring portal period. A lot will depend on how the rest of the group looks in spring training. Carney's experience in Texas will likely give him an opportunity to find a travel destination right away and he and Belin will be the ones to watch in 2026.

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Run back

Departing: LeQuint Allen (NFL Draft)

Returning: Jaden Hart, Yasin Willis, Will Nixon, Malachi James, Max Runyon, Jordan Montanez, Tyler Chandler, Nick Armentano

Incoming: Tylik Hill (HS), Malachi Coleman (HS)

Early Outlook:

It appears Willis will get the first opportunity at the top of the depth chart. He showed some speed and strength, but it will likely take more players to try to replace everything Allen did for the offense. Before the injury, Nixon showed his versatility as a runner and receiver and his experience will be important as he is the only returner with more than 40 career carries. Jaden Hart was part of the travel squad this season and we expect him to play a bigger role in 2025. James saw time as a returner, but we haven't seen his elite speed in action yet.

Wide receiver

Departing: Jackson Meeks

Returning: Trebor Pena, Jaylan Hornsby, Umari Hatcher, Zeed Haynes, Darrell Gill Jr., TaRon Haile, Justus Ross-Simmons, Emanuel Ross, JaMeer Thomas, Kyle Acker

Incoming: Darius Johnson (HS), Chris Long (transfer from Rutgers), Tyshawn Russell (transfer from South Carolina), Darien Williams (HS), Terrell Wilfong (HS), Julian McFadden (HS), Gabe Daniels (HS), Darius Johnson (HS)

Early Outlook:

Pena's return could make this group the strongest for the entire Syracuse team. Gill, Haynes and Ross-Simmons all showed great potential in 2024, so they should be able to help if the Dutch land a new quarterback. The big question: Can they take the next step forward and replace the departing production of Meeks, Allen and Gadsden? Behind them is a group of talented young people and that group seems to be in sufficient shape to allow the incoming first-years to come along slowly. Receiver could see some attrition after the spring based on the numbers, but speculation about position changes to defense is premature.

Tight end

Departing: Oronde Gadsden II (NFL), Max Mang (eligibility)

Returning: Dan Villari, Jamie Tremble, Elijah Washington-Baker, David Clement

Incoming: Duante Bacheyie (HS), Wyatt Bowman (HS),

Early Outlook:

Losing Gadsden is a major blow to the passing game as he has been a matchup nightmare for opponents. Both Villari and Clement saw action this year as blockers, and it appears their ability to fill that role gives them the inside track to snapping. Can these two, along with Tremble and Washington-Baker, offer the Orange something in the passing game in 2025? Bacheyie and Bowman are in that Gadsden hybrid mold, but their impact may not be felt until 2026.

Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

Offensive line

Departing: Savion Washington (maybe?), JOnre Reed (TBD), Mark Petry (maybe?), Jakob Bradford (maybe?), Josh Ilaoa (eligibility), Noah Rosahac (Delaware), Lysander Moelolo (TBD ),

Returning: DaMetrius Weatherspoon, Enrique Cruz Jr., Trevion Mack, Joe Cruz, David Wohlabaugh Jr., Josh Miller, Travis Brown-Miller, Codie Hornsby, Willie Goodacre, Vito Shevchenko, Patrick Alberga, Carter Clark, Adam Boeheim, Ted Olsen,

Incoming: Naquil Betrand (transfer from Alabama), Jaylen Pray (HS), Kahlil Stewart (HS), Jayden Mann (HS), Skylar Harvey (HS), Byron Washington (HS), Kardiear Shepherd (HS), Matthew Hawn (HS) ), Djoni Scatliffe (HS),

Early Outlook:

Reed entered the transfer portal this week, meaning the Dutch could lose both centers. No word on Petry or Bradford pursuing the extra season offered to JUCO players, and we're trying to determine if Washington will actually be ineligible or simply declare for the NFL Draft. Even if all three starters leave, the Dutch team can return to several players who saw a lot of time at stake this season.

Something to keep an eye on this spring will be which younger players push up the depth chart and who gets the first crack at center. There is an opportunity for a truly experienced starting group in the fall, which could help if the quarterback is inexperienced.

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Check back tomorrow as we look at defense and special teams.