Steve Angeli Declares Full Recovery Ahead of 2025 Season Opener

Quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a left-Achilles tendon rupture in Syracuse’s fourth game of the 2025 season at Clemson. Prior to the injury he had amassed 1,316 passing yards—second most in the FBS at that point—and 10 touchdowns. The injury forced season-ending surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. Syracuse, which had just beaten Clemson to reach 3-1, subsequently dropped its final eight contests, each by 13 points or more. Angeli, a 2025 transfer from Notre Dame where he was a reserve and part of a College Football Playoff team, earned the starting role in training camp and will again enter the fall as the clear QB1, ahead of incoming transfers Amari Odom (Kennesaw State) and Malachi Nelson (UTEP).

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Angeli told ESPN that the athletic training staff, head coach Fran Brown, and the strength team implemented a load-management plan that kept him on a monitored path to recovery. He said the program now allows him to “ramp everything up” and approach preseason camp without restrictions. After participating in the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana, Angeli reported feeling “great” and even better than before the injury, indicating confidence that reinjury will not be a concern.

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Defensive back/wide receiver Demetres Samuel Jr. noted that the team’s confidence dipped after Angeli’s injury, describing the period as emotionally challenging for both players and coaches.

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• “The athletic training staff, coach Fran [Brown] and our strength staff have done a good job of keeping me on a load management plan throughout all the recovery,” — Steve Angeli

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• “And as we get into practice, still being able to monitor it, but starting to ramp everything up to be able to be full-go for the season and just doing it smartly.” — Steve Angeli

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• “When I got hurt, I remember, you know, being on the sideline and talking to our pastor and talking to my mom and just being like, 'Why God? Like, what did I do?'” — Demetres Samuel Jr.

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• “It's one of those moments where it's a little emotional talking about it now because sometimes there's not an answer for it, but as I've gone through everything, I've just learned a lot about myself.” — Steve Angeli

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• “I feel great, and I feel even better than I did before," he said.” — Steve Angeli

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Angeli will join preseason practices with no imposed limitations, positioning Syracuse to launch the 2025 season with its starting quarterback fully cleared and eager to build on the early-season momentum that was lost after his injury.

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