Knowing Fran Brown, Syracuse’s head coach would like to choose a starting QB quickly.
It seemed like the Syracuse Orange had found its starting quarterback. Fran Brown named Rickie Collins his starter on April 7.
12 days later, Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal.
Four days after that, Angeli committed to Syracuse.
Now, as training camp starts for the 2025 college football season, the Orange have a quarterback battle on their hands. By virtue of being with the program since January, Collins has the natural upper hand. But he knows that doesn’t me anything right now.
“Coach Fran preaches a program that no one spot is safe,” said Collins. “So obviously, anywhere you have to compete every day to keep earning your right to be in that position”
Both quarterbacks are clearly embracing the competition. Even though they do things differently, Collins says that he and Angeli push and learn from each other a lot. In a similar vein, Angeli said that the entire quarterback room has been welcoming.
One-on-ones were the highlight of the open practice session today. Here’s a big throw as Steve Angeli connects with Johntay Cook down the sideline against Ibn McDaniels.@NunesMagician pic.twitter.com/xQ12Y9scVq
— Christian De Guzman (@CTDeGuz) August 1, 2025
It’s one of the reasons why Angeli joined the Syracuse program. His relationship with the Orange coaching staff goes back to his high school days. Angeli’s head coach in high school at Bergan Catholic was Vito Campanile, the brother of current Syracuse quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile. He even got advice from former Orange quarterback Kyle McCord.
“It was awesome to kind of see eye to eye with somebody when you’re in a difficult situation and get his advice,” said Angeli.
Both quarterbacks were drawn to the Orange due to the coaching staff and the offensive numbers that were produced last year. Syracuse finished with the top passing offense in the FBS in 2024. Now Collins and Angeli are looking to prove that they are the right ones to carry that mantle.
It’s an uphill climb for Angeli because of his aforementioned disadvantage. Collins has a three-month head start on him. That means Angeli has to catch up quickly, which is his first task.
“Just excel my understanding the offense and fully grasp it, which I feel like I’m at the point at now being in camp,” said Angeli.
Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
He also mentioned the need to build bonds and earn respect from his new teammates. That is also one of Collins’ early challenges from the coaching staff.
“Be more vocal,” said Collins. “Lead more and obviously just be myself.”
By “be myself,” Collins said that he just needs to carry the swagger, style and confidence that he’s always had being a kid from Baton Rouge. And by being himself, Collins knows the advantages that he has over Angeli.
“I feel I can run a little more, but Steve is a great passer the football,” said Collins. “He’s accurate. He has great timing. He’s very smart.”
Most people know Angeli from his short performance in the Orange Bowl last season. He relieved an injured Riley Leonard for a drive toward the end of the second quarter. Angeli went 6-7 with 44 yards and Notre Dame scored a field goal to close out the first half. The drive is a microcosm of what Angeli believes he brings to Syracuse.
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
“I know how to step up and make plays,” said Angeli. “How to lead an offense, how to operate, make plays down field, extend plays, pick up first downs. Overall, command of the offense is a strength of mine.”
Syracuse now has less than one month until it opens the season against Tennessee in Atlanta. Brown has consistently preached the importance of choosing a starting quarterback quickly. He wants his starter to establish leadership over the offense quickly.
The decision between Angeli and Collins is a difficult one. However, both quarterbacks seem very ready to take charge of the dynamic Orange offense.