The defense keeps one of its starting safeties and another OL starter is back
The Syracuse Orange secondary lost a lot of pieces this offseason, but two of last year’s starters announced he will be sticking around for 2025.
Duce Chestnut, who returned to his original program after one season at LSU, will use his final year of eligibility and play as a senior:
Chestnut was second on the team with 61 tackles (40 solo) and also had five pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble, and a sack last season while starting all 13 games. He had the third-highest PFF coverage grade (72.0) on the Orange, and the fourth-highest for total defense (70.8).
It was his first year as a safety after coach Fran Brown moved him away from corner in spring camp. Duce spoke candidly about his fellow Camden native, saying Fran’s interest in him was the only reason he chose to return to Syracuse after transferring out following the 2022 campaign.
With Alijah Clark, Justin Barron, and Marlowe Wax all graduating and heading to the NFL Draft, the ‘Cuse defense will certainly welcome having a veteran back.
The offensive line will also welcome Mark Petry back. With the Diego Pavia waiver for junior college players to get one more season, the German announced his return on Instagram.
Petry’s started the last twenty-four games for Syracuse, playing both tackle and guard. His return means another veteran on the offensive line, which will help as the Orange replace Kyle McCord, LeQuint Allen, Jackson Meeks and Oronde Gadsden from the high-powered offense.