The modern college football landscape can be brutal, and Syracuse is learning that lesson the hard way this spring.
Just months after a remarkable turnaround season, head coach Fran Brown is watching two of his star players – wide receiver Trebor Pena and defensive lineman Maraad Watson – pack their bags and head to greener pastures. For a program that jumped from six wins to ten in Brown’s debut season, these departures couldn’t come at a worse time.
Syracuse Faces Tough Portal Losses but Fran Brown Stays Confident in Next-Man-Up Mentality
When Pena announced his transfer to Penn State on April 26, Syracuse fans felt their hearts sink. Who could blame them? Pena wasn’t just good last year – he was their offensive lifeline, hauling 84 catches for 941 yards and nine touchdowns en route to second-team all-ACC honors.
The versatile playmaker also dazzled on special teams, averaging 27 yards per kick return and eight yards per punt return during his Orange career.
As is often the case these days, money talks. Brown didn’t mince words about why Pena left.
NEW: Fran Brown on Syracuse WR Trebor Pena entering the Transfer Portal:
“You gonna make $2 million at wide receiver? That’s the homie at Ohio State… I’m not giving no wide receiver $2 million in college.”
(via @TheAthletic)https://t.co/LKzUe55u6V pic.twitter.com/bLFmPfVBac
— On3 (@On3sports) April 17, 2025
“We compensated him adequately,” Brown said. “He was set to receive an increase. However, there were figures presented to me that I didn’t believe I could manage, so I decided it was best to part ways.”
The coach’s frustration with today’s NIL demands was evident when he added, “Who’s making $2 million as a wide receiver? That’s the case for the guy at Ohio State (Jeremiah Smith). No one else is earning that much. I’m not handing out $2 million to any college receiver. That’s just not me.”
Just when Orange fans thought it couldn’t get worse, as defensive standout Watson announced he was Texas-bound. The 247Sports Freshman All-American had shown tremendous promise in his lone season at Syracuse, racking up 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.
The NIL Reality and Syracuse’s Path Forward
Welcome to college football in 2025, where roster building feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark. CBS Sports didn’t hesitate to label Syracuse among the spring transfer portal “losers” after this one-two punch of departures.
Brown now faces the daunting task of replacing his top receiver almost overnight. The program has reportedly reached out to at least six portal receivers, including high-profile targets like Johntay Cook, Keelan Marion, and Hykeem Williams.
In a candid radio interview, Brown laid bare his thoughts on the current landscape.
“Sometimes people be asking for outrageous number like right, you’re not about to make more than every coordinator and all…if you want to make $2 million at wide receiver, that’s the little homie over at Ohio State. Ain’t nobody else making that money, giving no wide receiver no $2 million man in college,” Brown said.
Despite the setbacks, Brown remains steadfast in his “next-man-up mentality.” The question now is whether Syracuse can find the right replacements to keep building on last year’s success.
KEEP READING: Trebor Peña Joins Penn State with High Praise from Syracuse Coach Fran Brown After Breakout Year
For a program that finally tasted the sweet nectar of winning after years of mediocrity, these portal losses could be temporary obstacles or warning signs of tougher days ahead.
As spring turns to summer, all eyes will be on Brown and his staff as they navigate these choppy transfer portal waters. The difference between another 10-win season and a disappointing regression might just depend on who they can convince to wear orange in 2025.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
