With confirmation that Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli will miss the rest of the 2025 season with a torn Achilles and certainly this weekend’s matchup against Duke, the message around the program remains: “Cuse will be alright.” The timing is brutal, as the Orange lose their QB1 in Angeli, a Notre Dame transfer who had quickly emerged as one of the nation’s most efficient passers. Even so, head coach Fran Brown met the setback head-on, steady in the face of a tough break.
Those around the program aren’t ready to hit the panic button just yet. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger didn’t shy away from pointing out the challenge ahead, but still gave Syracuse his trust. He picked the spread Duke vs. Syracuse with (+5.5) “because of Fran Brown and trust in those South Louisiana boys.” That meant confidence in Rickie Collins, the backup quarterback, who hails from East Baton Rouge Parish. “Rickie Collins, backup quarterback, East Baton Rouge Parish, highly rated guy. Came out of Louisiana a couple of years ago. First start. I know it’s a little shaky, but I’m trusting in him to get it done against the Blue Devils or at least keep them within five and a half points.”
Fellow Andy Staples followed by noting the unusual arc that landed Syracuse in this position. “This is an interesting one because Fran Brown named Rickie Collins his starter coming out of spring practice and then went and took Steve Angeli. I think he would have been very confident rolling with Rickie Collins had he never gotten Steve Angeli.” Rickie Collins made the move to Syracuse from LSU during the winter transfer window, and by April 7 he had already earned the nod as the Orange’s starting quarterback. Six months later, he finds himself back in the spotlight, once again steering the offense.
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Stacking up is always great, and therefore, he thinks, “Syracuse is gonna be fine.” And he said this, keeping in mind they’ve got the toughest schedule in the ACC, probably in terms of a conference schedule. “The more I watch Fran Brown, the more impressed I get. I think this is a guy who just gets it. He’s going to be a really great coach for a long time.” Steve Angeli’s loss still cannot be understated. He was leading the nation in passing yardage (two yards over Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson) heading into the Clemson game.
The LSU transfer has the pedigree, but not yet the snaps. Including this season, Collins has thrown just 21 passes in his college career for 137 yards, with 99 of those coming this year. He’s added two touchdowns and an interception, showing both flashes of upside and reminders of his inexperience. Still, both Collins and backup Luke Carney have already been involved in scoring plays this season, giving the Orange some flexibility.
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Collins himself framed the moment with perspective and maturity after the win over Clemson. “This is what I have prepared for since I have been here,” he said. “Steve means the world to me, we have done so much together in a short time. Now I have got to realize I have a job to do (taking over as starting quarterback).” For Fran Brown, the adjustment now is about rewriting the playbook and trusting his SF QB crew.
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Syracuse’s “slick Rick” is ready
Despite losing Steve Angeli, Fran Brown isn’t sweating the transition to Collins as QB1. For him, it’s the classic next man up mindset. “I believe in Rickie. I think he’s a great kid,” Brown said, showing no hesitation in handing the reins over. What really stands out to Brown is Collins’ attitude when he wasn’t the starter.
Before his season-ending injury, Angeli had gone 18-for-31 for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Ironically, running in the clear with the football on a non-contact play, the kind that often signals Achilles trouble. Fran Brown, “That’s why we paid for two,” Brown told Rich Eisen about how they planned for this kind of scenario. “Rickie (Collins) had a heated battle (with Angeli). Rickie be ready to go.” Now the offense is fully in Collins’ hands.
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“The best thing about this kid, though … he stayed ready. He worked. There are so many kids that, when they don’t win that spot, they quit. They mope, they sit back and they complain. And we got some on our team that was doing that, but he wasn’t one of those guys.”
Instead of sulking, Collins immersed himself in film study, often joining Angeli late at night to push him and learn. Brown even calls him “Slick Rick” for his playmaking flair. Saturday will show if the nickname fits.