Tracking former Syracuse football standouts who have signed free-agent NFL contracts

The 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up on Saturday, and while no Syracuse football players were selected, numerous former Orange standouts have inked free-agent contracts or have been invited to rookie minicamps.

According to SU Athletics, last year, 12 Syracuse football players were drafted or signed free-agent deals following head coach Fran Brown's first season on the Hill, when the 'Cuse went 10-3 overall and won a bowl game in 2024.

This past stanza, in 2025, the Orange struggled, going just 3-9 overall, with injuries at quarterback and other key positions hampering SU's season. The program looks to rebound in 2026.

Tracking where former Syracuse football stars have signed on in the NFL.

Jack Stonehouse, punter
The most productive punter in Orange program history has signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. Stonehouse, a three-time All-ACC selection, ended his SU career as the team's net punting record holder, at 45.8 yards per punt.

Kevin Jobity Jr., defensive lineman
Jobity has inked a free-agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2025, Jobity led Syracuse football in sacks, with 5.0. He had 17 starts at SU.

Dion Wilson Jr., defensive lineman
Wilson has signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens, my hometown team! He started 11 games for the Orange in 2025 and also previously competed for Arizona and New Mexico State.

Dan Villari, tight end
Villari, a fan favorite in his time with the Orange, has signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams, which won a Super Bowl a few years back. A transfer from Michigan, Villari caught 66 passes for 671 yards and three touchdowns at SU. He also carried the ball 93 times for 445 yards and four scores on the ground, along with 203 passing yards and a touchdown through the air.

David Reese, defensive end
Reese has signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he will join former Syracuse football standouts Oronde Gadsden II, a tight end, and Marlowe Wax Jr., a linebacker. Reese transferred from California to SU for the 2025 season, and he started every game for the Orange.

Da'Metrius Weatherspoon, offensive lineman
Weatherspoon has signed on with the Buffalo Bills. He was Syracuse football's highest-graded offensive player in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, playing 817 offensive snaps and allowing a mere four sacks on 493 pass-blocking snaps.

Devin Grant, defensive back
Grant, who played for two seasons at SU after transferring in from Buffalo, has also signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, teaming him up with Reese, Gadsden and Wax. A Syracuse football alumni reunion on the West Coast!

Duce Chestnut, defensive back
Per SU, Chestnut has landed a rookie minicamp invite from the San Francisco 49ers. A two-time All-ACC selection with Syracuse football, he had 199 total tackles, six interceptions, 8.0 tackles for loss, 17 pass breakups and forced two fumbles in his college career, which also included a stop at LSU.

Will Nixon, running back
Nixon, the son of Syracuse football offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, has been invited to rookie minicamps for both the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans, per SU Athletics. In 2025, Will Nixon carried the ball 107 times for 432 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

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