Syracuse’s defensive backfield enters 2026 with plenty of familiar faces and a few obvious pressure points. Five players who logged significant time a season ago are back in the mix, and the unit now works under new position coach Perry Eliano, who arrived from Toledo with Vince Kehres.
At cornerback, Chris Peal is the name drawing the most buzz. He’s heading into his second season with the Orange and has already started to climb NFL Draft boards.
At 6-foot-1, Peal brings physicality and helps out against the run, even if the college interception total is still sitting at zero. That figure could change this season.
On the other side, Demetres Samuel gives Syracuse another corner teams can’t simply avoid. Samuel was tested early and often last year, and as a 17-year-old true freshman, he still managed nine pass breakups. There’s been talk about Samuel seeing some work at receiver, but the Orange would also love to see him create plays on defense.
Davien Kerr, Braheem Long and Cornell Perry all played a lot last season, and that experience should matter in 2026. Kerr led Syracuse with three interceptions and remains a player who can flip a possession in an instant. The 0-star recruit is expected to spend plenty of time against the opponent’s top slot receiver.
Long and Perry were two of the team’s leading tacklers a year ago, and Syracuse will again count on them to help against the run. The next step for both is consistency, especially with their angles, after explosive runs hurt the Orange in 2025.
Behind that group, Nazir Ward and Javon Lawrence are listed as the second-unit corners. Cam Hairston-Taylor and Chase Geter have shown some promise in camp and could work their way into the rotation as the season moves along. Tedarius Hughes, Marcus Washington Jr. and Jai Eugene Jr. are among the players competing for backup safety roles, while the rest of the group will be looking to help on special teams.
The full group also includes Rayshon Andrews, Ziyyon Bredell, Bradley Chandler, Terrance Johnson, Amare Snowden, Darnell Stokes Jr., James Trotter and Ibn-Wadu Muhammad.
There’s also a broader connection between the secondary and the defensive line that has come up in the discussion. If the back end holds up in coverage, it gives the pass rush more time to finish. If the line gets quick pressure, the secondary can benefit from rushed decisions and hurried throws.
It’s a talented starting unit, but depth is the question if injuries hit. Much of Syracuse’s ceiling in the secondary will hinge on how fast the younger players are ready and how well Peal and Samuel hold up across the season.
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Kyle McCord Is Forcing A Packers Decision Syracuse Fans Will Watch
Kyle McCords preseason push has become one of the more interesting subplots for Syracuse fans tracking former Orange players in the NFL. The Green Bay quarterback helped engineer a comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals, finishing with 22 completions in 35 attempts for 226 yards and four touchdowns, including two late scoring drives that flipped the game in his teams favor.
McCord has been stacking up strong outings all summer, and that kind of consistency can make roster conversations a lot less theoretical as cutdown season approaches. He signed with the Packers in January after his practice squad deal with the Philadelphia Eagles expired, and now hes putting real pressure on Green Bays decision-makers as they sort through the quarterback picture for the 2026-27 season. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Gets A Huge Relief As Angeli And Nixon Eye Offensive Fix
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Steve Angeli also made clear where the optimism is coming from on that side of the ball. The quarterback spoke about his connection with offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon and the shared push to improve an offense that will be under the microscope once the season begins. For Syracuse, the next few days are less about talking through possibilities and more about seeing whether that camp momentum can carry into a cleaner, more productive game-week plan. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Offense Heads Into Week 1 With One Intriguing Edge
Syracuse wrapped up its final preseason practice before the season opener against New Hampshire, and one of the clearer advantages on offense is the continuity already in place. Jeff Nixon is entering his third year as offensive coordinator, giving the Orange a steady hand in the system as quarterback Steve Angeli settles into his first season with the team after transferring last year.
JuJuan Johnson and Cole Weaver also stood out during camp, with coaches and teammates pointing to both players for the leadership and skill sets they bring. There is a sense around the offense that those additions can help the group get rolling early, but the real test now comes when the preseason work gives way to game speed and the Orange find out how much of that optimism carries into Week 1. [Read more 🡒]