New faces in the Syracuse secondary: The potential and challenges ahead
The Syracuse secondary has a lot of talent and a lot of new faces.
The Syracuse Orange football program is gearing up for the upcoming season with a rejuvenated defensive backfield, highlighted by an influx of talent from both the transfer portal and high school recruits. As the season approaches, how well these new faces will gel on the field remains a significant question mark. The potential is undeniable, but so are the challenges, particularly regarding chemistry and cohesion within the unit. How this group comes together will be one of the key dynamics to monitor this year.
The most notable addition to the Syracuse secondary is Duce Chestnut, a familiar face returning to the Hill after a year at LSU. Chestnut, a 6-foot, 205-pound redshirt junior, brings experience and a history of success to the Orange. A former freshman All-American and All-ACC honorable mention in 2021, Chestnut's time at LSU was less productive than anticipated. His return to Syracuse offers a chance for redemption, with many expecting him to be a key player in the secondary, potentially at safety. Chestnut's versatility—he can play both corner and safety—gives the coaching staff flexibility in how they deploy him. However, his ability to bounce back to his former self will be critical for Syracuse's success in the defensive backfield.
Reflecting on his return, Chestnut expressed his excitement about playing in front of the Syracuse fans again: "Man, I dream about it every day. Me and my dad was just talking about this like the other day. Like, when I make a play, it's going to go crazy. My freshman year, finally making a play here and hearing the crowd scream out, 'Duce,' like, it's going to be a big moment for me to come back for it," Chestnut said.
Another key transfer is Devin Grant, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior from the University at Buffalo. Grant was a first-team All-MAC selection last season, leading his conference with five interceptions. While he excelled at the mid-major level, the jump to ACC competition will be a significant test. Grant's size and ball skills make him a potential asset, particularly in red-zone situations, but questions remain about his speed and ability to cover faster, more skilled ACC receivers. His performance in the spring game, where he was beaten on a deep route, highlighted these concerns. However, his physical presence and ability to create turnovers could make him a valuable piece in certain defensive packages.
Clarence Lewis, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, adds further depth to the defensive backfield. Standing at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Lewis brings a wealth of experience, having played in all 50 games during his time with the Irish. He's known for his work ethic and reliability, though his tackling has been cited as a weakness. Primarily a nickel corner, Lewis will likely compete for that role at Syracuse. Given his experience and football IQ, he could be a stabilizing presence in the secondary, even if his physical attributes might limit his ceiling.
Lastly, Marcus Washington, a former four-star recruit from Georgia, represents a high-upside addition to the roster. At 6-foot-1 with three years of eligibility remaining, Washington has yet to realize his potential at the collegiate level. After limited playing time at Georgia and Louisville, Washington arrives at Syracuse as a bit of a project. The coaching staff will look to develop his raw talent into consistent production, but it remains unclear if he can translate his high school pedigree into success on the ACC stage.
Complementing the transfers are three high school recruits, headlined by four-star cornerback Marcellus Barnes from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Barnes, standing at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, was one of the top cornerbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. His commitment to Syracuse over schools like Georgia and Ole Miss marks a significant recruiting win for new head coach Fran Brown. While Barnes may not start immediately, he's expected to see the field as a depth piece, potentially contributing in every game. His development could be accelerated depending on how quickly he adapts to the college level and how the transfers perform.
The other two recruits, Braheem Long Jr. and Ibn McDaniels, are likely to redshirt this season. Long Jr., a three-star recruit from Camden, New Jersey, and McDaniels, a 6-foot-3 corner from Elizabeth, New Jersey, both possess the physical tools to develop into solid contributors. However, given the depth and experience ahead of them, it's more likely they'll spend this year learning the system and getting acclimated to the college game.
With so many new players in the secondary, building on-field chemistry will be one of the biggest challenges for the Syracuse defense this season. Defensive backfields rely heavily on communication and trust, and it takes time for players to develop the kind of cohesion necessary to execute complex coverage schemes effectively. Fortunately, Chestnut highlighted how the team is already working on this.
"Just bonding, like we all close friends off the field, I don't even got to be football that we just so close in. We just love being around each other. Love just helping each other get better. No matter what it is, we can take the hard criticism from each other because we just want to see each other get better," Chestnut said.
Defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer says the importance of team building off the field is key in fostering team chemistry.
"I think it really just starts with time. We do a lot...We meet once a week and talk about anything but football and how those values apply on the field and off," Schaefer said. "I think our kids have really bought into that. The locker room here is elite from a togetherness standpoint, from a character standpoint, and it's really enjoyable to be a coach because a lot of it polices itself."
Interestingly, the bonds on this team go beyond the college level. For Chestnut, this season is also about reuniting with old friends.
"Man, it's been fun just to see each other grow up. Like, I still see young Kyle [McCord] and young Dennis [Jaquez Jr.] out there with the little league helmets on and stuff. So just to see us out there in college is like a wild moment for us," Chestnut said.
There is a strong New Jersey connection within the team that adds even more layers to the camaraderie. Many players, including Chestnut and Alijah Clark—often referred to as "Cinco"—hail from New Jersey, and their bond runs deep.
"We're the best football state, that's all that I'm saying," Chestnut shared, noting that players like Yasin Willis, Fadil Diggs, and Kyle McCord all share the same pride and determination. This New Jersey bond makes it easy for the team to coalesce, with many of these players striving to represent their home state on the field.
The potential for a stacked defensive backfield at Syracuse is there, but the success of this group will largely depend on how quickly they can come together as a cohesive unit. With a mix of experienced transfers and promising recruits, the future looks bright for the Orange secondary. However, only time will tell if these new faces can turn their individual talents into collective success on the field.
