Syracuse football: Three additional transfers join Orange

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The Syracuse Orange are starting to round out and finish its additions from the transfer portal. Mike McAllister from 247Sports reported three additional players have signed with Syracuse. They are UCLA offensive lineman Oluwafunto Akinshilo, Western Kentucky defensive back Jai Eugene Jr. and Georgetown quarterback Danny Lauter. 

Akinshilo is transferring to his fourth school in his college career. He spent the last two years at UCLA. He also spent two years at Iowa State and a JUCO season at El Camino College. Akinshilo didn’t play at Iowa State and in his first year at UCLA. In 2025, his second season with the Bruins, he played all 12 games primarily on special teams. Akinshilo did see 61 snaps on offense as a reserve offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.

Akinshilo is familiar with his new position coach at Syracuse. The Orange hired Juan Castillo as its new offensive line coach this offseason, replacing Dale Williams. Castillo was the offensive line coach at UCLA for a year in 2024, Akinshilo’s first year with the Bruins. Castillo was most recently an offensive analyst for Michigan. 

Syracuse only lost one offensive lineman in the transfer portal in Josh Miller. He transferred to Austin Peay. The Orange’s big loss on the offensive line comes through graduation as starters Austin Collins, Da’Metrius Weatherspoon and TJ Ferguson are all out of eligibility as redshirt seniors in 2025. 

Akinshilo is the only offensive lineman that the Orange have added through the portal so far. Syracuse added three offensive linemen from its recruiting class to the team. They are Brayden Charney, Joseph White and Shemaj Henry. 

Eugene is with his third school in his college career. He started with Tulane for a year in 2023 and spent the last two years at Western Kentucky. Eugene played 24 games with the Hilltoppers, recording 24 total tackles with five pass defends. 

Eugene is the second Western Kentucky defensive back to transfer to the Orange. He joins Nazir Ward as Hilltopper secondary players to join Syracuse. Eugene is the third defensive back to join the Orange from the portal, along with Toledo defensive back Amare Snowden. 

Much like Ward, Eugene will provide necessary depth for Syracuse’s cornerback room. The Orange starters at corner are set in Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr. However, Kaylib Singleton, Ibn McDaniels and Greg Delaine are just some of the cornerback depth that left the Orange through the transfer portal. 

Lauter has been Georgetown’s starting quarterback for the last two seasons. An injury limited him to only three games in 2025, but Lauter started 10 games for the Hoyas in 2024. He has 2,912 career passing yards in 14 games with 19 touchdowns and a 61% completion percentage. 

Lauter is the second quarterback that Syracuse has added from the portal, joining Kennesaw State QB Amari Odom. The two quarterbacks add necessary depth in the Orange QB room behind presumed starter Steve Angeli. Three former Syracuse quarterbacks left via the transfer portal in Rickie Collins, Luke Carney and Jakhri Williams. Collins transferred to Kennesaw State and Carney transferred to Houston. 

The three players give Syracuse 18 additions through the transfer portal, with an asterisk. South Carolina tight end Michael Smith has reportedly signed all the paperwork to join the Orange, but he is reportedly looking to return to South Carolina.

The other players to transfer to Syracuse are Boise State/Glendale CC wide receiver Zamondre Merriweather, LSU running back Ju’Juan Johnson, Miami (OH) wide receiver Cole Weaver, Jackson State running back Ahmad Miller, Georgia State defensive tackle Jartavius Flounoy, Toledo linebacker Chris D’Appolonia, Florida State wide receiver Elijah Moore, UT Martin edge rusher Keyshawn Johnson, Maryland defensive lineman Dillan Fontus, UNLV edge rusher Tunmise Adeleye and Penn State wide receiver Matthew Outten. 

The transfer portal is now officially closed. Players can no longer enter for transfer consideration unless a head coaching change is made. Any players that are in the portal can still sign and commit to new schools. Players looking to join Syracuse will have to sign and enroll in classes by January 21, which is the add deadline, in order to be eligible to participate in spring practice with the team. 

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