Syracuse football releases South Carolina transfer from contract, allows commitment to SEC school

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football coach Fran Brown said he released South Carolina-transfer tight end Michael Smith from a signed agreement with the school after the player wanted to continue exploring his options.

Smith, who was expected to compete to be the team’s next star tight end, has since committed to play at Mississippi.

Brown said he got directly involved in the situation. He said he spoke with head coach Pete Golding, leading to Smith’s release.

Brown was cryptic about what it may have taken to let Smith out of his deal with Syracuse. If Ole Miss had to provide something in return, Brown didn’t say.

“Pete Golding is a hell of a dude,” Brown said during an interview on ESPN Radio 97.7. “Me and him have had a good friendship for some years now and me and Pete just talked. And that was the best place. We’ve got things that were in line. If a guy wants to leave then there’s certain things that have to happen.”

Syracuse University declined to say more, referring back to Brown’s comments on the radio.

Smith, a former four-star recruit who started seven games for the Gamecocks as a freshman in 2024, signed with the Orange shortly after the transfer period began.

He was brought in to help replace the production from departing senior Dan Villari and give the Orange a pass-catching weapon at tight end.

Smith left the South Carolina football team midway through the season after his playing time decreased. He missed all of last spring as a result of a shoulder injury.

Brown said Smith was “a little uncomfortable” after signing with Syracuse.

“He wanted to think about the portal again, and I was lost on how he wanted to do that,” Brown said in the radio interview.

Brown also said one of the team’s defensive tackles nearly transferred out of Syracuse in a similar fashion that required a release from a contract. A conversation with the player’s father stopped that from happening, Brown said.

As the drama with Smith was playing out, Syracuse moved to add former Western Kentucky tight end Noah Meyers to the roster.

Syracuse also is expected to utilize senior David Clement in his pass-blocking role from last season with Meyers and a possible role increase for redshirt sophomore Elijah Washington-Baker.

“I think Michael Smith will make out better at Ole Miss,” Brown said. “I’m happy for Michael. I think that he’s a good player and he’ll continue to develop on and off the football field.”