The preseason accolades ahead of the 2026 campaign continue to pile up for Syracuse football standout cornerback Chris Peal.
Earlier this week, the Sporting News unveiled its preseason All-America teams, with the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Peal, a redshirt junior, residing on the national media outlet's second team on defense. Noted college football expert Phil Steele, last month, placed Peal on his preseason All-America fourth team.
Peal transferred to the 'Cuse ahead of the 2025 season from Southeastern Conference powerhouse Georgia, where SU head coach Fran Brown most recently was the Bulldogs' defensive backs coach before leaving to lead the Orange.
In 2025, Syracuse struggled to a 3-9 overall record, but Peal put the Atlantic Coast Conference and the nation on notice. The Charlotte, N.C., native registered 29 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble. His 47 total tackles were fifth on the Orange roster, and his seven passes defended were second on the 'Cuse roster last year.
Syracuse football cornerback Chris Peal is poised for a big-time 2026 season.
In the upcoming campaign, Peal and sophomore Demetres Samuel Jr. are expected to form one of the top cornerback duos not only in the ACC, but also across the country. Last year, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Samuel, who is from Palm Bay, Fla., was one of the nation's top freshmen.
Earlier this week, the Orange began its preseason camp. The 'Cuse has numerous new assistant coaches under Brown, including new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres. SU's defense aims to be much better in 2026; position groups such as the defensive tackles/edge rushers, the linebackers and the cornerbacks could be strengths for the team this coming season.
Peal is one of several guys who will likely contend for the spot as the top defensive player for Syracuse football in 2026. In late July, he was the Orange's sole representative on the official preseason All-ACC team.
While the 2027 NFL Draft is further out, Peal is getting some buzz there, too. In late April, Sporting News senior writer Bill Bender placed Peal at No. 19 overall in his list of the top-50 prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, which would put the Syracuse CB in first-round territory.
At the time of this writing, the Web site nflmockdraftdatabase.com had Peal at No. 86 among prospects who are expected to be in contention for the 2027 NFL Draft.
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