Syracuse has its first addition in the transfer portal.
The Orange reportedly landed South Carolina tight end Michael Smith in the portal on Sunday, per 247Sports. Smith, who entered the portal in October, is Syracuse’s first addition of the offseason. The Orange currently have 13 players in the transfer portal, headlined by offensive skill players Darrell Gill, Johntay Cook and Yasin Willis.
Smith appeared in two games for the Gamecocks this season, registering two catches for 20 yards. Last year, he played in 12 games for South Carolina as a freshman, recording 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
In high school, the 6’4, 250-pound pass catcher was a four-star recruit. At Calvary Day High School in Georgia, he was an all-region selection. Smith is a three-star transfer, and will join the Orange with three seasons of eligibility remaining. Syracuse’s roster makeup will shift dramatically between now and the start of next season, but he will become the fifth scholarship tight end for the Orange.
Smith should have a chance to make an immediate impact with Syracuse, which is set to lose its starting tight end, Dan Villari. Villari will graduate this spring and likely enter the NFL draft, hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Syracuse tight end and current Los Angeles Chargers rookie Oronde Gadsden II.
The Orange are also reportedly hosting New Mexico State’s Gavin Harris for a visit. This season, Harris had 531 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Aggies. Adding Smith and hosting Harris for a visit are likely the first steps of what should be a transformational offseason for Syracuse, which finished 3-9 this season after winning 10 games in 2024 during its first year under head coach Fran Brown.
