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Recent Syracuse Football Transfer Gains National Praise Ahead of 2026 Season
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- Recent Syracuse Football Transfer Gains National Praise Ahead of 2026 Season
(© Dave Hyatt / Special to the Gadsden Ti)
The Syracuse football team is just two weeks or so from the official start of training camp for the 2026 season.
Coming off a 3-9 season, this group has higher expectations thanks to the return of quarterback Steve Angeli , as well as a solid mix of newcomers and transfers that are entering the program.
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Head coach Fran Brown and his staff did extensive work in the transfer portal this offseason, adding both impact and depth to the roster.
One transfer gained some national praise earlier this week at the ACC's Media Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C.
National reporter on Syracuse player to watch this year
National college football reporter, and Syracuse alum, Pete Thamel was recently asked by Syracuse Athletics host Sean Dorcellus about the Orange player to watch this season. Thamel said the following about tight end Noah Meyers , who transferred in this offseason.
"He was really productive there last year (Western Kentucky). Thirty catches for a tight end which is a high number. Three touchdowns. I think he'll be a safety blanket for Steve Angeli. I think he'll make some noise for the Orange this year."
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Who is Noah Meyers?
A 6-foot-5 redshirt junior, Meyers enters his fourth year of college football, and his first in Central New York. Meyers was able to redshirt in 2023, his freshman season, although he did appear in three games for the Hilltoppers. An NCAA rule allows football players who appear in less than four games in a season to have another season of eligibility.
A Louisville , Ken. native, Meyers will compete with David Clement , Daunte Bacheyie and Elijah Washington-Baker for playing time at the tight end position this season. Clement, Bacheyie and Washington-Baker are the only returning tight ends for the Orange.
All three of those players, combined, had less than 10 catches and than 100 total yards last season. The other tight ends on the roster include freshman Wyatt Bowman and Carter Bashir.
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Meyers is one of the notable transfers that have been added to the roster this season. As our Brady Farkas noted earlier this summer, there are multiple new transfers to the Orange's 2026 roster that can have a strong impact this season.
Syracuse football 's recent success at tight end position
Since Fran Brown became the head coach of Syracuse in 2024, the Orange have found success at the tight end position. Last season, senior Dan Villari was an impact player for the Orange. Villari finished with 39 catches for 412 yards, along with 17 rushing attempts for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Villari signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in April.
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In 2024, Orande Gadsden II had a breakout year for the double-digit win Orange. Gadsden was Third-Team All-American and a First-Team All-ACC selection. In his final season in Central New York, Gadsden had 73 catches for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. Gadsden was a fifth round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. In his rookie season, Gadsden registered 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns. Gadsden's yardage, catches and touchdowns all ranked within the top five of all NFL rookie tight ends.
More Syracuse football news from the week
-- Angeli commented on his recovery process during the ACC Football Kickoff event held in Charlotte. Angeli's recent remarks should make feel Orange football fans encouraged for the upcoming season.
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--Fran Brown was not happy with an incident before Thursday's media sesssion. The Orange head coach felt disrespected by a moment during the introduction of coaches on Thursday.
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