Overview

• On July 5, Russell committed to Syracuse, selecting the Orange over Michigan, Florida State, and Oregon.
• The 6-foot-5 Miami Northwestern product ended last season with 35 receptions for 645 yards and 11 touchdowns and holds a five-star, top-32 ranking.
• He credited his relationship with coach Fran Brown and the program’s support for his goal to play both football and basketball as key influences.
• Before his pledge, Syracuse had only three four-star commits in its 2026 class, highlighting the program’s need for a blue-chip injection.
• Rival schools now must adjust their recruiting strategies as they seek to fill the void left by Russell’s surprising decision.