A new backfield takes shape
Syracuse University’s football program entered the 2025 season with a modest offensive showing, ranking 13th in the Atlantic Coast Conference with just under 1,500 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The production placed the team near the bottom of the conference, prompting a comprehensive overhaul of the running back room heading into 2026.
The departure of lead backs Yasin Willis and Will Nixon left a sizeable void. Willis finished the year with 558 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Nixon added 432 yards and three scores before both exited via transfer or eligibility exhaustion.
To fill the gap, the Orange turned to the transfer portal, landing LSU’s Ju’Juan Johnson and Jackson State’s Ahmad Miller. Johnson, who previously played cornerback for the Tigers, switched positions and logged 22 receptions for 94 yards last season, while Miller compiled 2,365 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over two and a third years in the SWAC, earning the conference’s rushing title in 2025.
Coaches envision a complementary partnership: Miller is expected to shoulder the bulk of the physical, down‑to‑down work, whereas Johnson brings a more dynamic, playmaking flair. The coaching staff projects that both will see the majority of carries, with the exact split to be determined during fall camp.
Depth will also be bolstered by underclassmen Tylik Hill and Malachi Coleman, who each saw limited action in 2025 but showed promise with 129 rushing yards and additional contributions on special teams. Their development adds further options for the staff as the new backfield chemistry takes shape.
The upcoming season will test whether the new tandem can translate preseason optimism into on‑field production. If the projected carry distribution holds, Syracuse could climb the ACC rankings and shed its recent reputation for a stagnant ground game.