A first-team All-American caliber corner at Duke who tied a school record with three straight interception games, Chandler Rivers became the first Duke player the Ravens have ever drafted.
Chandler Rivers spent four seasons starring in Duke's secondary, developing a reputation for reading quarterbacks and playing physical zone coverage. The Ravens made him a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the first Duke prospect the franchise has ever selected, and he projects as a candidate to compete for time at nickel corner.
Path to the league
Rivers, from Beaumont, Texas, played at Beaumont United High School before spending 2022 through 2025 at Duke, starting as a true freshman. The Ravens selected him in the fifth round, 162nd overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first Duke player Baltimore has ever drafted.
Career highlights
Rivers was named MVP of the Birmingham Bowl as a sophomore after returning an interception for a touchdown, and as a junior in 2024 he intercepted passes in three straight games, tying a Duke record, on his way to first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American honors. He was also named to the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community leadership.
2025 season recap
In his senior season, Rivers earned second-team All-ACC recognition while continuing to serve as one of Duke's primary outside cornerbacks. His zone instincts and ball skills carried over from his All-American 2024 campaign, and evaluators believe those traits could translate into an immediate role in Baltimore's secondary rotation.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chandler Rivers
- ESPN: Chandler Rivers
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Duke
- Hometown
- Beaumont, TX, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
