Syracuse, NY — On Monday, the Syracuse Orange football team held their 2026 Pro Day event. With plenty of big names in attendance, the event was truly a great spectacle. And, I was fortunate enough to be present for the on-field testing portion and some of the positional drill work.
It’s worth mentioning that alongside multiple Syracuse athletes participating, Colgate wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders and Cornell running back Damon Barnes were also in attendance for the event.
Syracuse Football: Pro Day Notes and Observations
Like last year, Syracuse held their weight room workouts in a private location without any media coverage. It’s not uncommon; however, the viewing section of the event was completely different from last year, cutting fans, family and the media off at the 30-yard line while numerous drills were occurring further down the field. It was still a privilege to be there, but made securing footage and recording times that much more difficult for fans wondering about their favorite players.
After the weight room period, most of the players moved into the infield practice facility to perform their broad jump. However, a vast majority of NFL scouts were outside watching punter Jack Stonehouse perform.
Stonehouse had been a staple in the Syracuse program this past season, proving he is one of the best punters in the nation. And, he further cemented that by his performance at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, too. There’s little chance that Stonehouse doesn’t follow in his family’s legacy and become an NFL punter in his own right.
On-Field Testing
The on-field testing portion from the Syracuse Pro Day brought some spectacular showings. Numerous players had excellent 40-yard dash numbers, while others truly shined in the 3-cone and short shuttle drill. Yet, with the viewing section partially blocked for the other events, the 40-yard dash times stood out the most. There, a lot of players had incredible showings on perhaps the biggest day of their lives.
Syracuse tight end Dan Villari ran a 4.60 and 4.66 40-yard dash (hand-timed), showcasing he has deceptively elite speed at the position. Meanwhile, Kevin Jobity, an underrated defensive line prospect, had a respectable 4.85 time. In the secondary, both Duce Chestnut (4.46) and Devin Grant (4.47) also impressed with their performances.
However, two of the most impressive performances came from unlikely competitors. The first was Syracuse’s David Reese, who finished his eighth collegiate season playing for the Orange this past year. Reese is truly an incredible athlete, and the DL/EDGE prospect ran a blazing 4.53 40-yard dash at the Syracuse Pro Day.
Another key player who stood out during this event was Colgate wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders. Saunders saw his elite 2025 season get cut short after just five games (played in a sixth), where he posted 682 yards in just five contests. The receiver suffered a broken fibula against Richmond, yet still managed to run a blazing 4.40 40-yard dash just five months after recovery. With a great slot build and elite agility, Saunders could be a player who finds themselves on an NFL roster this upcoming year.
Some notable 40-yard dash times from the Syracuse 2026 Pro Day (hand-timed):
– Duce Chestnut, 4.46
– Devin Grant, 4.47
– Dan Villari, 4.60
– Kevin Jobity, 4.85
– Will Nixon, 4.52
– Anwar Sparrow, 4.60
– Justus Ross-Simmons, 4.53
– Treyvhon Saunders (Colgate), 4.40— Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB) March 16, 2026
Continuing with drill work, players competed in the 3-cone and short shuttle event – which had mixed results. The shuttle event saw some issues where players were not able to get proper footing. Some had to forfeit the testing altogether, which was unfortunate. However, others truly stood out. The aforementioned Villari and Grant performed admirably in both events. However, linebacker Anwar Sparrow and running back Will Nixon also performed well.
Once positional drills started, it was the trenches that stood out. During defensive drills, Jobity, Reese, George Rooks and Dion Wilson Jr. showed great footwork. Their agility stood out, and they showcased excellent speed.
Syracuse Orange Defensive Line drills PART 2 from Syracuse Pro Day ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft…
Video by Dan Tortora Broadcast Media, LLC#Syracuse #ProDay #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2026 #Cuse pic.twitter.com/I6fC33kvV4
— DT Sports Media (@CallDT) March 16, 2026
For the defensive backs, Devin Grant continued to look good in drill-work. Meanwhile, Villari showed he was a smooth operator in his own positional drill-work.
In all, despite the tough 2025 season for the Syracuse Orange, they had plenty of playmakers on the roster. And, if the 2026 Pro Day had anything to say, there’s a chance numerous Syracuse players could find themselves on NFL rosters going forward.
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