Steve Angeli’s injury against Clemson felt like a gut punch for Syracuse fans that Saturday. The Notre Dame transfer was having an impressive day, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Orange in control. Then, in the third quarter, things suddenly changed. Angeli rolled out of the pocket on a scramble and didn’t even get hit. Instead, he tripped and landed hard in a non-contact injury that immediately knocked the wind out of the stadium. You could see the pain on his face as he clutched his left leg, unable to bear any weight. Later, he limped around on crutches with a boot on his foot, while Syracuse coach Fran Brown kept the exact damage under wraps.

Angeli kept it under the wrap, saying that Angeli needs “a couple of weeks.” But now the real reason is finally out, and let me tell you, it’s not really a happy day for the Syracuse fans. Turns out, Angeli suffered a torn Achilles. And that means he’s out for the rest of the season. Yeah, that’s the kind of blow that hits hard. The Achilles is one of those injuries that doesn’t mess around; it’s a long recovery, and rushing back isn’t an option. “Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli will be out for the remainder of the year,” ESPN writer Pete Thamel writes on X. “An MRI has revealed he tore his Achilles in Syracuse’s win at Clemson. He expects to have two more years of eligibility, as he expects to qualify for a medical redshirt this season.”

For Angeli, who’d been torching defenses and tossing TDs like it was nothing, this news hits hard, for him and the whole team.

Is Syracuse QB Steve Angeli redshirting after a season-ending injury?

After tearing his Achilles tendon in a non-contact injury, Angeli is out for the season. The only silver lining is that he might be able to save this year of eligibility. Angeli, just 21, still has a bright college football future. Thanks to the NCAA medical hardship rules. It’s also known as a medical redshirt. Basically, players who get season-ending injuries early can save that year to use later. Since Angeli only played four games, completing 62.8% of his passes for 1,316 yards, 10 TDs, and two interceptions, he fits the profile to apply for this exception. Why is this important? The medical redshirt gives Angeli a chance to come back stronger and healthier.

Moreover, Achilles’ tear is no joke for an athlete. This tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone, playing a huge role in how players push off, sprint, and change direction. The injury usually happens in a sudden, non-contact moment, just like Angeli’s did. Surgery’s almost always required, followed by months of tough rehab. It usually takes four to six months, sometimes longer. Before this nightmare, Angeli was absolutely on fire for Syracuse in 2025. He led the nation in passing yards, tossing touchdown passes left and right and cooking up serious chemistry with his receivers, like that pinpoint 53-yard bomb to Justus Ross-Simmons. He was the heartbeat of Syracuse’s offense, giving fans real hope.

How many years of eligibility does he have left?

Steve Angeli’s still got two more years of eligibility left to rebound and shine. The NCAA’s medical redshirt rule is what’s giving Angeli this lifeline. Because his injury happened early in the season. After just four games, he qualifies for a medical hardship waiver. It basically lets him “pause” the 2025 season so it doesn’t count against his eligibility. The rule helps players who get sidelined by big injuries early on so they can come back without losing time in their college careers. For Angeli, this is huge. Now he can fully recover from the Achilles tear without rushing back and still has two more years to prove himself on the field.

After Steve Angeli’s devastating Achilles injury against Clemson, the pressure quickly shifted to Rickie Collins. The redshirt sophomore was called on to step up in a big way. Collins’ first taste of real action came in that Clemson game. There, he managed to lead a touchdown drive despite going just 3-of-8 passing for 34 yards. Coach Fran Brown is cautiously optimistic, praising Collins’ tools but noting he’s not yet on Angeli’s level of command or comfort. But don’t worry, Collins isn’t the only one Syracuse has in its quarterback room. Jakhari Williams, another QB on the depth chart, adds more options during this uncertain stretch.

He could see some snaps to sharpen his game, but to start, he’ll need big production and to clearly outplay Collins.