Nearly 1,500 miles separate the Friday night lights of Wheeler Field in Mesquite, Texas and the snowy campus of Syracuse University. Yet for three-star quarterback Luke Carney, the distance is not a problem when the fit is right.

“For me, distance wasn't really that big of an issue,” Carney said. “It was just the right spot for me. The coaching staff made me feel at home on my visit and I can see what they have going on there.”

Carney is one of Texas’ finest private school quarterbacks, playing at Dallas Christian School, and the draw of Fran Brown’s Syracuse offense was too strong for the dual-threat quarterback to pass up.

In 2023, while working as the defensive back coach at Georgia, Brown was named the No.1 recruiter in the nation by 247Sports. By the end of November, Syracuse knew it had found its future in Brown, signing him to be the 33rd head coach in program history. 

Brown immediately went to work. Ohio State QB Kyle McCord found his new home with Brown in upstate New York, and the 2025 class as a whole ranks in the top 10 right now nationally. Carney, alongside DeSoto’s Byron Washington, are a big reason for that.

“We already have 12 commits, we’re No. 10 in the nation for 2025 recruiting,” Carney said. “I think this program definitely has a chance to do something special.”

Though rated outside of Dave Campbell’s Top 100, Carney could be the steal of this year’s quarterback class. In 2023, he was named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Private School QB of the Year, throwing for over 3,700 yards and adding another 843 on the ground. His 80 percent completion percentage and 47 touchdowns helped lead Dallas Christian to a state title in the TAPPS Division III.

“During the summer, working on my mechanics and my footwork, cleaning everything up and just being sharp with everything I do,” Carney said as the biggest reason for his success.

Heading into his senior year, Carney has his future solidified with zero doubts left in his mind. 

“Right now I'm solid with Syracuse,” Carney said. “I texted the coaches back who were recruiting me and I am shutting off contact with all the other coaches right now.”

Those other coaches would be the likes of Brent Key and Kalani Sitake, as Carney was being heavily pursued by the likes of Georgia Tech, BYU, Cal and Arizona.

Surprisingly, Carney had little interest from programs in Texas such as SMU or Baylor. 

“I think the reason I didn’t get many Texas offers was because all these spots got taken up early with all these quarterbacks that are in Texas,” Carney said. “I was kind of a late bloomer as far as getting the offers, so they were off the table for me.”

Luckily for Carney, the opportunity may be even better at Syracuse than anywhere else in Texas. With McCord only having one year left in college, the quarterback room could be wide open. Former Florida transfer Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has under 50 pass attempts under his belt entering his senior year, and Class of 2024 three-star Jakhari Williams was not brought in by Brown’s staff. Carney, who already had to beat out a senior to start as a freshman two years ago, is up for the task. 

“I’ve done it before,” Carney politely said when asked about beating out older quarterbacks.

With the help of Brown and coaches such as offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, quarterback coach Nunzio Campanile and offensive assistant Manny Harris, Carney is excited to get to work from Day 1.

“I’m most excited about jumping in and getting going,” Carney said. “I’m ready for it, getting ready to practice, getting in the weight room.”