College football previews highlight Syracuse and Kentucky defensive units

College football position previews for the 2026 season highlight key defensive players for Syracuse and Kentucky.

At Syracuse, the defensive backfield is under the leadership of new position coach Perry Eliano. The unit features several returning players, including corner Chris Peal, who is noted for his physicality, and Demetres Samuel. Other key contributors include Davien Kerr, Braheem Long, and Cornell Perry, who are expected to provide depth and stability to the secondary.

Kentucky’s defensive outlook focuses on the linebacker and secondary units. A significant development involves linebacker Alex Afari, who is currently engaged in a legal battle against the NCAA to secure a fifth year of eligibility. Afari is seeking to be included in a Louisville court case that previously declared other players eligible. On the roster, Sam Greene is expected to provide leadership following an impressive performance last season before a season-ending injury.