Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse football program has added three new transfers, according to a report by 247Sports’ Mike McAllister.
According to the report, Syracuse has added Georgetown quarterback Danny Lauter, UCLA offensive lineman Oluwafunto Akinshilo and Western Kentucky DB Jai Eugene through the transfer portal.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Lauter gives Syracuse a second transfer quarterback addition this offseason and one that will likely serve as a depth piece behind two quarterbacks with starting experience at the FBS level.
Lauter played in three games for Georgetown last year, completing 51 of 84 passes (60.7 percent) for 613 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
An injury limited him to those three games and likely will give him an opportunity to receive a medical redshirt. That would give him two years of college eligibility.
Lauter started 10 games for the Hoyas in 2024, completing 177 of 288 passes (61.4 percent) with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed the ball 41 times for 12 yards, an indication that scrambling isn’t part of his game.
He gives Syracuse at least three quarterbacks on the roster with playing experience, joining Steve Angeli, Kennesaw State transfer Amari Odom and incoming freshman Zaid Lott. Syracuse also returns Rich Belin.
McAllister also reported that the Orange brought in its first offensive line transfer of the offseason in UCLA’s Oluwafunto Akinshilo.
Akinshilo, who is originally from Nigeria, played a year of football at El Camino College in Torrence, California, and four seasons between Iowa State and UCLA. He likely has one year of college eligibility remaining.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, Akinshilo played 61 snaps in six games last year for UCLA as a backup lineman.
That was his first college action. He received snaps at center and both guard spots. PFF graded him 31st out of UCLA’s 51 players who saw playing time on offense.
New Syracuse offensive line coach Juan Castillo coached him for a season at UCLA. Castillo was the offensive line coach for the Bruins in 2024.
Syracuse’s offensive line struggled last year and must replace three of its better players in starting center Austin Collins, starting guard PJ Ferguson and starting right tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon.
Eugene was a versatile backup cornerback for Western Kentucky last season who played 289 snaps on defense between the safety and slot cornerback positions.
He was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 936 prospect out of Destrehan (Louisiana) High School by 247Sports. He began his career at Tulane and reportedly had offers from Virginia, Purdue, Mississippi and Mississippi State during his recruitment.
Syracuse needs to upgrade its performance at slot cornerback and safety this season and Eugene brings some playing experience in both spots.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, Eugene had 21 tackles and five pass break-ups for the Hilltoppers last year. He played in the same defensive backfield as Nazir Ward, another transfer addition for the Orange.
Eugene was graded 31st out of 47 defensive players who saw snaps for Western Kentucky by Pro Football Focus. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
The three additions reported by McAllister do not currently have transfer portal rankings on On3.com.
Syracuse is currently ranked as having the No. 43 transfer class in the country by On3.com and the No. 52 class by 247Sports.
Today is the final day for players to enter their names into the transfer portal but players whose names are already in the portal can continue to sign with other college program.