Syracuse DB Chris Peal named to All-ACC Preseason Team
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Syracuse defensive back Chris Peal was named to the All-ACC Preseason Team, the conference announced Wednesday. Peal started all 12 games for the Orange last season, tallying 47 total tackles and seven passes defended.
Peal was Syracuse’s only player to earn the honor, receiving 45 of 188 total votes for the cornerback position. That was the second-most of all corners in the conference, only behind Clemson’s Ashton Hampton with 81.
The 6-foot-1 Peal transferred to Syracuse last offseason after two years at Georgia, one of which he spent with current SU head coach Fran Brown when Brown was the Bulldogs’ defensive backs coach. Last year, Peal’s 29 solo tackles ranked tied for fourth among all SU defenders, his seven pass break-ups ranked second and he also forced one fumble.
The selection adds to the preseason recognition for Peal, who’s expected to make a major leap in his redshirt junior season. Peal was listed on college football writer Phil Steele’s preseason All-America Fourth Team and was projected as a borderline first-round 2027 NFL Draft pick in Athlon Sports’ early mock draft.
In SU’s 3-9 2025 campaign, its defense allowed 252.6 passing yards per game and 23 passing touchdowns, both bottom-six marks in the ACC. The Orange hope Peal, along with fellow corner Demetres Samuel Jr., can help turn that around in 2026.
