Syracuse gets bad Yassin Willis transfer portal news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
So far, most of the Syracuse football transfer news this offseason has involved rarely used players.
advertise
On Tuesday, however, the Orange took a big hit.
Yassin Willis is transferring.
Willis is a star RB. He announced his decision on social media and that he will have two years of eligibility elsewhere.
In 2025, Willis rushed for 558 yards on 129 carries.
He’s a strong running back with good speed and athleticism, as shown by his hurdling in the photo at the top of this article.
The hardest part for SU fans is that Willis actually told Syracuse.com at the end of the season that he planned to return in 2026, so this was a change of heart.
Willis would be a strong receiver for others, but it’s a heavy loss for Syracuse as it goes from knowing who the starting RB is in 2026 to having to figure it out.
advertise
The Orange might have Will Nixon back. He applied for a medical hardship exemption for his seventh year, but a decision has not yet been made.
Currently, the Orange have just said they will be losing Willis after previously thinking they would keep him.
More: Toledo shorthanded in bowl game against Louisville
