Which player is already getting high praises from national media outlets in advance of the 2026 season?
For the third time in five years, the Syracuse football team failed to have a player drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, this time next year, the conversation could be very different.
In addition to not having players drafted at all recently, Syracuse has not had a player drafted in the first round since the New York Giants selected offensive lineman Justin Pugh in 2013.
Current Orange defensive back Chris Peal has been projected by multiple national outlets as a first round draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Chris Peal's career
Entering his fourth season of college football, Peal first appeared as a member of the Syracuse team in 2025. The 6'1' Peal was a four-star recruit coming of high school in Charlotte, N.C.
Before his time in Central New York, Peal played a total of 10 games over the course of two seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. Since leaving Athens for Syracuse, Peal has become immediate fixture on Fran Brown's defense. Last fall, Peal started all 12 games for the Orange, recording 43 tackles. Peal will change his jersey number from 16 to 12 this upcoming season.
What the outlets are projecting
Bill Bender from The Sporting News projected Peal as the 19th best prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft. Sports Illustrated Daniel Fink projected Peal to go No. 29 pick in next year's draft. Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling projected Paul to squeeze into the first round, going 30th overall.
Syracuse's history with defensive backs in NFL Draft
The Orange have had a strong history of defensive backs getting drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Those notable players include:
Tebucky Jones - The 21st overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1998 draft, Jones spent eight seasons in the league. Jones won a Super Bowl as a member of the Patriots in 2001. The Connecticut native also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints.
Donovin Darius - Just four picks later in 1998, Jones' teammate, Donovin Darius was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Darius spent over a decade in the NFL with the Jaguars, Raiders and Dolphins. Darius has been a frequent visitor to Syracuse's campus over the last year: His daughter Dominique Darius played for the Orange women's basketball team in 2025-26. Donovin Darius also shares the same hometown of Camden, N.J. with head coach Fran Brown.
Will Allen - The 21st overall pick by the Giants in 2001, Allen played over a decade in the NFL. A Corcoran (Syracuse) High School product, Allen played for the Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Patriots.
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