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The Georgia Bulldogs develop several football players who go on to do great things, even at other schools. Syracuse Orange cornerback Chris Peal could be another one. When USA TODAY's Matthew Glenesk polled writers across the ACC to make his All-ACC team. Peal made the first-team as one of the defensive backs.
Peal had a solid season in his first year with the Orange. He had 43 tackles, seven pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus already views him as an elite player, giving him an 85.1 grade, with an 87.0 coverage grade being his best attribute.
He still hasn't recorded an interception yet, and he allowed 38 receptions on 59 targets for 358 yards and three touchdowns, which would convert to a 98.0 NFL passer rating. However, outside of the two games he allowed six or more receptions and 80+ yards, he didn't have a game in which he allowed more than four receptions and 35 yards.
Now entering his redshirt junior season, Peal is looking to grow as a leader under former Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown and the Syracuse defense.
"I feel like he's coming along great," said Syracuse corner Demetres Samuel Jr, on how Peal has become a leader. "He's really taking hold of the group. He likes to show us little new techniques, little new knowledgeable things for us to be better. He wants to push everybody to get better. I think he's a great big brother to look up to."
Peal transferred from the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2025 spring window, just a year after Fran Brown was hired as the head coach at Syracuse. Brown was integral in Peal's development and his reason for going to Georgia, so Peal went to Syracuse as well. Now, Peal is expected to take the next step this season under Brown.
Peal is not the only Georgia transfer to make the All-ACC team. Miami pass rusher Damon Wilson also earned All-ACC honors.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia transfer cornerback earns All-ACC honors
