Orange Land Coveted Five-Star Recruit

Miami Northwestern star receiver commits to Syracuse.

In a move that hasn’t occurred in over two decades, **Calvin Russell III**, a highly-regarded five-star wide receiver, has committed to Syracuse University. This marks only the third time Syracuse has landed such a highly-rated prospect.

A Standout Player

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver from Miami Northwestern Senior High School is considered one of the most significant commitments in the university’s football program history under coach **Fran Brown**. In his final season, **Russell** helped his team secure a Class 3A Florida state championship.

Under the guidance of NFL quarterback and Miami Northwestern alum **Teddy Bridgewater**, the Bulls achieved a 12-2 record, dominating their opponents with a combined score of 300 points in their last six games. **Russell** averaged 18.4 yards per reception, amassing 645 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

Before transitioning to wide receiver, **Russell** played quarterback during his freshman and sophomore years, accumulating over 500 passing yards and 569 rushing yards. Furthermore, on the basketball court, he averaged 15 points per game with a 56% shooting accuracy.

Dramatic Commitment

The commitment announcement was filled with suspense. Scheduled to go live during his birthday party, **Russell** was significantly delayed due to traffic. After nearly 40 minutes, he finally appeared on Instagram Live with his family, ready to announce his decision among Florida State, Michigan, Oregon and Syracuse.

Technical difficulties then ensued as the audio cut out, leaving fans in silence for two agonizing minutes. The celebration finally erupted as **Russell** revealed his choice, leading **Hayes Fawcett** to declare, “FRAN BROWN!!!” on social media. According to NCAA data, fewer than 2% of high school athletes receive college scholarships (NCAA 2023).

FRAN BROWN!!!! @CalvinRussellJr is heading to Syracuse🌰🍊 @CuseFootball pic.twitter.com/ozT9K9J21C

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 14, 2024

Future Outlook

**Russell** joins Syracuse’s 2026 recruiting class as the fifth receiver. His commitment elevates the Orange’s class ranking to 20th nationally. Together with four-star receiver **Amare Gough**, they are expected to form a dynamic duo.

This commitment is arguably **Fran Brown’s** most significant achievement at Syracuse. The focus now shifts to **Russell’s** potential earnings and whether he will participate in both football and basketball.

Further updates on **Calvin Russell’s** commitment and other Syracuse developments are forthcoming.