Chestnut Named ECAC Rookie of the Year
12/22/2021 9:30:00 PM | Football
Duce Chestnut was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference's FBS Football Rookie of the Year for his breakout freshman campaign.
The Camden, N.J. native as named a Freshman All-American by ESPN, Pro Football Focus and 247 Sports, and finished second in ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year voting this year. He was named a third-team All-ACC selection at corner.
Chestnut wrapped up his true freshman season with the second-most passes defended in the ACC. His three interceptions led all Syracuse players, which he complimented with eight pass breakups. Louisville's Kei'Trel Clark led the passes defended category in the ACC (12). The Orange's Garrett Williams (10) led the league in pass breakups.
He became the third Orange true freshman defensive back in the last 40 years to earn a week one starting job out of camp, joining Andre Cisco (2018) and Markus Paul (1985). Both of whom eventually went on to be drafted in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft.
Season ticket deposits for the Orange's 2022 campaign are available now. The Orange can return as many as 17 starters of the 22 positions on offense and defense and will host a challenging home schedule that features non-conference games against Notre Dame, Purdue and Wagner in addition to the four home league games.
