Calvin Russell, Syracuse football’s highest-ranked recruit in 2 decades, will not sign today

Syracuse, N.Y. — In a stunning development Wednesday morning, five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell III said he will not sign with Syracuse today.

Russell announced his decision during Miami Northwestern’s (Florida) signing day ceremony Wednesday morning.

“It’s been a hard three or four days,” Russell said. “I’ve been thinking and I won’t be signing today.”

Russell did not say why he won’t be signing with the Orange.

Russell, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver, committed to Syracuse in July, becoming the program’s highest-ranked commit in more than two decades.

He was supposed to be the crown jewel of Syracuse’s 2026 class, its highest-ranked recruiting class in the modern rankings era.

But since his highly publicized commitment, the Orange performed poorly on the field, wrapping up a 3-9 season in which the offense was hampered by poor quarterback play and an inability to develop any passing threat.

At a time when players can negotiate pay with schools, it’s hard to know what prompted Russell to change his mind.

The Miami native has been heavily recruited by his hometown school, where his mother played basketball, and was on the sidelines for several Miami football games this fall.

Michigan was also considered SU’s primary competition leading up to Russell’s decision back in July.

Through it all, Russell and his representatives have maintained he was coming to Syracuse.

Until he wasn’t.

With Russell foregoing Wednesday’s early signing date, four-star wide receiver Amare’ Gough from Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), has become Syracuse’s top player in the 2026 class.