Syracuse football: the three biggest questions for the Orange after spring action

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Fran Brown on the sidelines against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The spring game for the Syracuse Orange is in the rearview mirror, which means many fans will now have to wait until the summer to see the team fully back in action.

A new season looming means plenty to be excited about, but also a lot to mull over and wonder about in the months leading up to the beginning of the 2026 season.

Following the end of spring action, here are three of the bigger-picture, most notable question marks to keep in mind heading into the new year:

Who becomes the lead skill player(s) on offense?

The offensive MVP of the spring was senior WR Umari Hatcher. Will that carry over into the 2026 season? Two young plaers made a big impression in the spring game- Elijah Moore had the game’s longest play on a slant with a lot of YAC and Terrell Wilfong led the game in receptions.

Cole Weaver brings size and experience and there’s a lot of young speedsters looking to get on the field led by Darius Johnson and Darien Williams.

We didn’t see a lot from the running backs so it’s hard to tell who will be called upon next fall to get the tough yards for the offense. Ahmad Miller has shown productivity at a lower level while Ju’Juan Johnson offers a high ceiling. Can that duo allow Tylik Hill and Malachi Coleman more time to develop as all-around backs? Will a running back by committee approach work?

Just how good can this defense be?

It was a low-scoring affair as the Orange defense dominated the play and that was without two starting linebackers and both starting corners. Vince Kehres showed a more aggressive scheme and transfer edge rushers Keyshawn Johnson and Tunmise Adeleye will be needed to help Syracuse force more turnovers in 2026.

Kehres brought linebacker Chris D’Appolonia with him to help in pass coverage and this play in the scrimmage showed why.

We’ll have to see if Syracuse can do a better job of stopping the run, but there is some optimism for the pass defense improving next fall.

Can the offensive line do enough?

This is the biggest question mark. The Orange have to replace some experience from a line that struggled last year. It’s going to be up to the younger players to take a big step forward this Fall. We didn’t get to see them together on Saturday, but Syracuse.com’s Javon Edwards project the current starting group as:

LT: Trevion Mack
LG: Oluwafunto Akinshilo
C: Joe Cruz
RG: Byron Washington
RT: Kam Pringle

Houston transfer David Ndukwe will arrive this summer and challenge for a tackle spot and we also notice redshirt freshman Matthew Hawn playing center. Hawn was someone Fran Brown pointed out last year and he could be in the mix at center or guard.

OL coach Juan Castillo has to get this group ready to go before the opener. With Angeli coming back from injury, the Orange need to hold up better and keep their quarterbacks from taking too many hits.

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