New York product Xavier Bala, a 2027 four-star running back whose first high-major scholarship offer was from Syracuse football, has a final five and set a commitment announcement date.
The Orange, which has aggressively courted Bala for a long time, is in his top five, along with defending national champion Ohio State, Nebraska and two fellow Atlantic Coast Conference programs in Boston College and Virginia.
Per his X page, the 6-foot, 215-pound Bala plans to make his college decision known during the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl, which he is competing in and will take place on January 10 in San Antonio, with television coverage on NBC.