Ex-LSU QB Rickie Collins loses Syracuse QB battle

By Matt Moscona

Rickie Collins will have to wait a bit longer for his starting opportunity.

Syracuse has named Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli its starting quarterback for 2025, beating the former LSU Tiger in a fall camp battle.

Sources: Syracuse has named Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli the starting quarterback, and he’ll debut for the Orange against No. 24 Tennessee in the opener in Atlanta. Angeli, a redshirt junior, narrowly beat out LSU transfer Rickie Collins, who played well during camp. pic.twitter.com/ax2mgUOEkm

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 18, 2025

Collins left LSU following the 2024 season and was named the starter by Syracuse coach Fran Brown after spring practice in early April. The Orange added Angeli a few weeks later in the spring transfer portal window.

Collins prepped at Baton Rouge (La.) Woodlawn where he earned a consensus four-star rating. He was the No. 231 overall prospect and the 17th best quarterback. During his two seasons in Baton Rouge, Collins saw action in just five games, completing all seven of his passing attempts.

Angeli is a redshirt junior who appeared in 21 contests for the Fighting Irish.

Syracuse faces No. 24 Tennessee in Atlanta to open the season.