Syracuse defensive lineman Kevon Darton enters NCAA transfer portal

Syracuse defensive lineman Kevon Darton has entered the NCAA transfer portal. He spent the past five seasons with the Orange and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Darton spent the first three years of his career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship before the 2022 season. He became a starter at nose tackle that season as Syracuse’s defense finished No. 1 in the country in points allowed.

This past season, Darton set career highs in both sacks (five) and tackles for loss (eight). He totaled 96 tackles over the past two seasons as well as a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to college football’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.

Darton played high school football for Worcester Academy in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was not ranked in the 2019 recruiting cycle but carries a four-star college rating according to On3.

Kevon Darton’s decision to enter the transfer portal comes after coach Dino Babers was fired after eight seasons. Syracuse went 6-7 this past season and hired former Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown as Babers’ replacement.

The Orange have had just one winning record in the past five seasons and dropped to No. 57 in scoring defense in 2023. They’ll aim to attack the transfer portal themselves to replace the presence of players such as Darton.

Syracuse transfer portal numbers

Kevon Darton is the 18th Syracuse player to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Additionally, he is the fourth defensive lineman to do so, joining Terry Lockett, Jalil Smith and Francois Nolton.

The Orange currently No. 10 overall and No. 5 in the ACC according to On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Rankings. They have brought in 11 players to make up for their losses including two defensive linemen. Isaiah Hastings joins the team from Alabama as the No. 386 overall player in On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord is another interesting transfer portal addition for the Orange. He started for the Buckeyes this past season and led them to a 11-1 record while throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’ll have a pair of former Georgia receivers to throw to in Yazeed Haynes and Jackson Meeks.

Syracuse will look to continue to add players through the portal to make up for what it lost this offseason and bounce back strong.