The Syracuse football 2026 class, which to date includes at least three highly rated verbal commits, ranked in the top five around the country by both the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and Rivals.com when I wrote this article on Sunday.
Now, I’m the first to acknowledge that it’s super early for this cycle, as 2026 prospects will soon wrap up their sophomore years of high school. In any event, to say that head coach Fran Brown and his staff are off to a fast start in this class is a supreme understatement.
Over the past month, the Orange has landed at least three verbal pledges from 2026 players. All three of them are rated at least four stars and in the top 250 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Two of these ‘Cuse commits, on Sunday, were in the top 65 overall of the 2026 class, per the 247Sports Composite. That’s pretty remarkable, in my humble opinion.
In late March, the ‘Cuse got on the board in 2026 when athlete/defensive back Demetres Samuel Jr. verbally pledged to the Orange. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Samuel is out of Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Fla.
On April 15, linebacker/edge Izayia Williams joined Samuel as a Syracuse football 2026 commit. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Williams attends Tavares High School in Tavares, Fla.
Five days later, on April 20, running back D’Antae Sheffey with Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Pa., became the third verbal pledge for the Orange in the 2026 cycle.
Not too long ago, recruiting service and media outlet 247Sports updated and expanded its 2026 rankings. Here, I’m going to provide the latest ratings for Samuel, Williams and Sheffey, according to 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite. They’re impressive.
Demetres Samuel Jr.
247Sports: 4 stars, No. 104 nationally, No. 10 at safety and No. 18 in Florida
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 61 nationally, No. 5 at safety and No. 8 in Florida
Izayia Williams
247Sports: 4 stars, No. 41 nationally, No. 4 at linebacker and No. 9 in Florida
247Sports Composite: 5 stars, No. 20 nationally, No. 2 at linebacker and No. 4 in Florida
D’Antae Sheffey
247Sports: 3 stars, No. 36 at running back and No. 11 in Pennsylvania
247Sports Composite: 4 stars, No. 250 nationally, No. 20 at running back and No. 7 in Pennsylvania
Additionally, on Sunday when I wrote this piece, the Syracuse football 2026 class arrived at No. 3 overall, per the 247Sports Composite, and No. 4 nationwide, according to Rivals.com.
Granted, it will be a while before these Orange pledges can officially sign with the ‘Cuse. And Syracuse football, like its peers around the country, will see its 2026 class grow.
While it’s unknown where this 2026 cycle for the Orange will ultimately reside on a national scale down the line, to me, Syracuse football coaches are doing a fabulous job so far.
Next. Syracuse football 3-star, nationally ranked commits, recruits lock in official visits. Syracuse football 3-star, nationally ranked commits, recruits lock in official visits. dark
