Syracuse hosting transfer cornerback from ACC school on Monday (report)

NCAA football: Rutgers at Virginia Tech
Rutgers coverage team dives on a loose ball after Virginia Tech return man Dante Lovett (1) fumbled the ball away during the first quarter, Saturday, Sept. 21 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse will host Virginia Tech-transfer cornerback Dante Lovett for a Monday recruiting visit, his agent told On3.

Lovett used the 30-day transfer portal opening provided to Hokies players after former head coach Brent Pry’s Sept. 14 firing to get a jump on finding a new school.

The former three-star recruit from DeMatha (Maryland) will have two years of eligibility remaining as a redshirt junior in 2026.

As of Monday, Syracuse has 16 scholarship defensive backs scheduled to be on the 2026 roster. The Orange is now looking to add a veteran that has been inconsistent.

Lovett received a 71.8 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus, as a freshman in 2023. He played 32 coverage snaps.

His coverage snap count increased to 159 in 2024, and his coverage grade dropped to 65.1. This season, he had a 44.8 coverage grade on 24 coverage snaps.

Lovett has one interception and eight pass break-ups in 29 career games. He started in just two of those 29 games.

The Orange has a starting cornerback tandem in freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. and redshirt sophomore Chris Peal that has been impressive on the outside. However, Syracuse could use help in the slot.

Lovett played no snaps in the slot in 2025 and seven snaps in the previous two seasons. He would likely be a developmental project for head coach Fran Brown.

Orange football beat reporter