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Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced on social media Tuesday. Chestnut played 49 games for the Orange across two separate stints after 2023 at LSU.

Duce Chestnut @BallgameDuce announces he’ll declare for the NFL Draft. He’s the second SU player so far, joining Jack Stonehouse. pic.twitter.com/8X8WZaZ1kM

— Aiden Stepansky (@AidenStepansky) December 23, 2025

A Camden, New Jersey, native, Chestnut instantly starred at cornerback for SU in 2021 with three interceptions and nearly won Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year, losing out to Clemson’s Andrew Mukuba, now of the Philadelphia Eagles. Chestnut earned multiple Freshman All-American honors, and the following season, he was named an ACC Honorable Mention while playing alongside his best friend and current Dallas Cowboy, Alijah “Cinco” Clark.

Chestnut followed a childhood dream in 2023 by heading to LSU. There, he matched up against the Tigers’ star-studded offense, including Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Chestnut failed to establish himself, and LSU head coach Brian Kelly said at one point he “was not currently with the team.”

The cornerback turned safety returned to the Orange when Fran Brown, another Camden native, became SU’s head coach. In his final two years with Syracuse, Chestnut dealt with a few injuries but played all 25 games while recording 110 total tackles.

Chestnut is SU’s second player to declare for the NFL Draft this year so far, joining punter Jack Stonehouse. The Orange had four players selected in last year’s draft, their most since 2006.

Published on December 23, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky