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I've said this multiple times this summer, and I will re-iterate it here. Despite going 3-9 last season, I believe the Syracuse football program is primed for a much better season in 2026.

What does a "much better season" look like? For me, I think they will absolutely be bowl-eligible, which means they'll go at least 6-6, but I really do think they can move beyond that and end up with a winning record.

The impact of having a healthy Steve Angeli at quarterback is really worth that much, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm excited by the hiring of new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres as well.

In order for the Orange to hit my expectations, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered: How strong can they be up front? Can they properly protect Angeli? Who will make plays down the field, especially in the absence of freshman Calvin Russell?

Those are all important questions, and while the following question isn't the most important for this team, it is the thing I'm most curious about heading into camp.

Which version of Malachi Nelson are the Orange getting?

About Nelson

The former top overall recruit in the country for the class of 2023, Nelson has been at three schools in three years already.

He spent the 2023 season at Southern California, earning a redshirt after playing in just one game. He played three games in 2024 at Boise State, going 12-of-17 for 128 yards and an interception. And he played six games at UTEP in 2025, throwing to a 54.7 percent completion percentage, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He'll have two years of eligibility left for the Orange, and while I don't know if he'll see time behind Angeli, he is a major curiosity. 

Is Syracuse getting the player who was the top overall recruit in the country, who now has experience and maturity to go with talent? Or, are they getting a player who has bounced around in the name of fulfilling his potential, but still isn't quite able to do it?

Again, it's not the important storyline for Fran Brown's team, but it's one that SU fans should at least be interested in.

About SU football 

Syracuse has yet to announce the official first date of practice this summer, but the regular season begins on Sept. 5 against New Hampshire. NCAA teams can begin practicing four weeks out from their first games.

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