Four Star CB Duce Chestnut Commits to Syracuse

Syracuse landed its highest rated commitment in the 2021 class as four star cornerback Duce Chestnut pledged Orange.

Syracuse picked up its 16th and most high profile commitment in the 2021 class as 247Sports Composite four star cornerback Duce Chestnut, out of Camden High in New Jersey, announced his decision to pledge Orange on Sunday. Chestnut is rated the 23rd best cornerback in his class and sixth best player in the talent rich state of New Jersey. He picked the Orange over offers from Baylor, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, NC State, Ole Miss, Rutgers and West Virginia, among others. 

""I chose Syracuse," Chestnut said via 247Sports. "Syracuse just felt like it was right. I loved the coaching staff, I loved the environment. It just felt like family, a second home. I just felt like it was the right decision for me and my family."

Chestnut's primary recruiter was Syracuse assistant Nick Monroe. The two developed a strong bond during Chestnut's recruitment. 

"It was important because that's going to be my coach," Chestnut said. "We're probably going to see him almost every day. It's definitely important to have a relationship with him. He recruited me hard. Having a great bond with him, he didn't let me not have a great bond with him. He him me up every day. Just a great bond and I can't wait to be coached by him."

Chestnut was also recruited by current Syracuse defensive backs Andre Cisco and Trill Williams. That pair helped show Chestnut what Syracuse is all about from a player's perspective. 

"I talked to Cisco on a regular basis and Trill," Chestnut said. "It helps a lot because they're telling me the ins and outs of being at Syracuse. They're letting me know what's good and what's bad about Syracuse, they didn't really tell me much bad about Syracuse. But they were just letting me know what they know about Syracuse and make sure I knew everything was good."

Chestnut says he is coming to Syracuse to win.

"They're getting a dog and a winner," Chestnut said. "I've never been a part of a losing program, so I'm not coming just to lose. I'm coming to win the ACC."