Syracuse Football: What to Watch at 2026 Pro Day

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year already. The 2025 season came and went; yet unfortunately for the Syracuse football team, it didn’t quite go as planned. Yet, it’s not worth rehashing the past. Instead, it’s time to look forward, and that starts with the Syracuse football Pro Day, on March 16.

Despite the Orange having a subpar season in 2025, there are a number of players expected to be on NFL radars for the 2026 NFL draft. We’ll highlight some of the key names, what to watch for, and what to expect at the event.

Syracuse Football: 2026 Pro Day

The Syracuse football Pro Day will be hosting numerous NFL scouts as the program looks to highlight their upperclassmen graduating and pursuing their dream of playing professional football. The Orange had a number of key contributors this year despite the tough season, and a large portion of them are now leaving for the draft. With that in mind, we’ll take a better look at key players attending the event and what fans should expect.

What Happens at a Pro Day?

Like the NFL Combine, Pro Days involve testing and drill work for NFL scouts and the media to see. Each school usually holds their own Pro Day, although some smaller schools may ask if their players can attend bigger events to increase exposure. Last year, numerous small-school players attended Syracuse’s Pro Day – and there’s a chance that may happen again this year.

As far as testing goes, players will run the standard 40-yard dash, shuttle, bench press, and other drills many associate with the NFL combine. They will also work on individual and positional drills to the scouts in attendance. Last year, over 50 scouts from 30 NFL teams attended Syracuse’s Pro Day. That number may not be the same this year, but it shows how many eyes will be on these players.

Players to Watch

Dan Villari, Tight End

The ultimate Swiss Army knife, Dan Villari was asked to do a lot during his tenure at Syracuse. He played tight end, quarterback, and even some running back with the Orange, without complaints. He is truly a football player in every sense of the word – and a good one, at that.

The 2025 season should have been a breakout campaign for Villari. Prior to quarterback Steve Angeli’s Achilles tear, Villari was fifth amongst tight ends in yards, and was a consistent chain-mover for Syracuse. Unfortunately, the team’s offense completely shut down after Angeli’s injury, severely impacting not just Villari, but the rest of the skill players on the unit.

At Syracuse’s Pro Day, look for Villari to showcase his athleticism at tight end. Not only that, but his individual and positional drill work will be important for scouts to see if he has what it takes to play at the next level. There’s little doubt he’ll be playing on Sundays – the question will be for who.

Jack Stonehouse, Punter

While Syracuse had plenty of struggles this year, Jack Stonehouse was the one constant. In fact, when scouts were at JMA Wireless this season, nearly all of them were present to watch Stonehouse punt.

Stonehouse would impress throughout the year, being one of the best in the nation. It runs in his family, after all. And yet if he decides to continue to showcase his talent, his positional drill work will be more important than anything else.

In 2025, Stonehouse earned All-ACC First Team honors. He also broke Syracuse’s yards per punt average during the season, with a 46.5 mark. Not to mention, he was one of the highest-graded players at his position, per PFF. In all, it’ll be a very important showing for the Cuse punter. And hopefully, one that finds him being a consistent presence on NFL sidelines in the future.

That didn’t end during the regular season, however. Invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, Stonehouse was consistently elite in his hangtime and direction of his kicks. It was truly an impressive performance. And hopefully, Syracuse’s Pro Day helps ensure that further.

Syracuse Punter Jack Stonehouse (@_JackStonehouse) put his elite punting capabilities on display today, averaging 4.70 seconds of hang time (hand-timed) on 8 punts.

For reference, the average NFL time is just 4.3-4.5 seconds. #ShrineBowl

— Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB) January 23, 2026

Duce Chestnut, Defensive Back

A leader on and off the field, defensive back Duce Chestnut’s veteran presence was undeniable for Syracuse. Chestnut began his career with the Orange as a cornerback before transferring out – then back in – and playing the safety role under Fran Brown. While some argue the staff was playing him out of position, Chestnut showcased great instinct, leadership, and grit while playing the position.

Unfortunately for Syracuse, the loss of Steve Angeli didn’t just create problems for the offense. The defense was also consistently on the field, defending short fields, and having issues of their own. Because of that, it’s hard to gauge how much better a player like Chestnut could have been under the right circumstances. Personally, he probably has a higher ceiling as a slot cornerback at the NFL level due to his physicality and instincts. However, it remains to be seen how NFL teams feel about him.

Testing will be important for Chestnut at this event. The Syracuse defensive back was impressive at the Hula Bowl – and showcased great leadership. However, the Syracuse Pro Day could be what solidifies himself in the eyes of a football program going forward. Does he have the strength to play at the NFL level? Does he have the speed to stay with some of the faster players or better route-runners? These are questions he’s been able to answer on film – but testing can provide added insight from a scout’s perspective. And, metrics matter to NFL teams, whether fans believe so or not.