The Syracuse Orange, like every other college football program, have entered transfer portal season today.

Starting today and running through December 28th, the fall transfer portal window is open and the Orange are losing at least one starting defender. Cornerback Marcellus Barnes, a 4-star recruit who played five games and recorded 11 tackles announced he would be leaving (SEC anyone).

Barnes emerged as a starter in his first season and with the Orange expected to lose a lot of players in the secondary this is a tough blow to the 2025 projected lineup.

Two other backup linebackers have officially declared that they will be transferring: Anwar Sparrow and Kadin Bailey. Sparrow appeared in 12 games and recorded nine tackles while Bailey featured on special teams during his time with the Orange.

Of course, we learned last year that players leaving opens up opportunities for players to come in so before we hit the panic button, it’s prudent to show some patience and restraint because the next three weeks will certainly feature a lot of movement.