A Promising Outlook for the Orange
The Athletic’s latest quarterback rankings have placed Syracuse signal‑caller Steve Angeli at No. 44 overall for the 2026 season, situating him in Tier 4 and marking him as the sixth‑best passer in the ACC.
Angeli is entering his second year with the Orange after a high‑profile transfer from Notre Dame, where he had seen limited action over two seasons. His 2025 campaign ended abruptly with a season‑ending injury, but the nine games he did play showcased a passer who was beginning to resemble one of the nation’s elite.
Before the injury, Angeli had completed 98 of 156 attempts for 1,317 yards, 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions, numbers that had many analysts comparing his early‑season form to that of top‑tier quarterbacks. The Orange’s offense faltered after his exit, dropping eight consecutive games to close out the year, a slump that underscored both the team’s reliance on his arm and the depth of the challenge ahead.
The 2026 slate presents a gauntlet of elite competition. Syracuse will face four quarterbacks who rank inside the top‑20 nationally and five more in the top‑25, a schedule that includes a showdown with Notre Dame’s standout prospect CJ Carr, currently positioned at No. 3 in the national rankings.
The Athletic’s methodology blends projections for inexperienced talent with redemption narratives for veterans, meaning Angeli’s ranking reflects both his untapped potential and the opportunity to rewrite his story. If he can stay healthy and build on the flashes of brilliance he displayed before his injury, the Orange could see a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.
Coaches and analysts alike are watching closely as the team navigates a demanding schedule, hoping that the quarterback’s resurgence will translate into wins rather than another stretch of defeats.