Syracuse Football: Steve Ishmael, Zaire Franklin continue to shine in pros

Two former Syracuse football stars (Steve Ishmael, Zaire Franklin) are both fighting to make the Indianapolis Colts roster in 2018.

If we’re going to see more Syracuse football players in the pros this season, it’s not going to come easy. Only one player was drafted in 2018 (Zaire Franklin) and all the rest are undrafted free agents taking the toughest road to make the final roster (Steve Ishmael).

While history is certainly on their side when you look at the special connection between Syracuse and Indianapolis with numerous greats playing for this organization: John Mackey, Marvin Harrison, and Dwight Freeney to name a few.

There certainly is tendons between the past and the future, but these players need to create their own legacies. Apparently according to my guy on the grounds in Indianapolis, that’s exactly what these former Orange stars are doing.

Indianapolis Colts Reporter Jake Arthur gave me these exclusive scoops on each of the Syracuse football reprssenatives at #ColtsCamp:

"Steve IshmaelSteve Ishmael came into the Colts’ offseason program and training camp with high expectations. Being one of the league’s highest-rated undrafted free agent and someone who helped edge Marvin Harrison out of Syracuse’s record books, there were a lot of eyes on him as someone who could potentially make the team. He started out slow in camp but has been much more noticeable in the last several practices. He seems to make an impressive play everyday. He has been working most often with the third-team offense, but wide receiver is a relatively open position battle right now."

That scouting report seems to make a ton of sense. Ishmael similarly had a slow start to his Orange career before finally turning on the switch. There are 13 wide receivers listed on the Colts’ official roster sheet and TY Hilton is the only real receiver of note among them. So as Jake alludes, there are openings at wide receiver, Ishmael just has to seize it.

"Zaire FranklinZaire Franklin has been a pleasant surprise so far in Colts camp. He has seen plenty of first-team reps at MIKE linebacker while Anthony Walker has been sidelined with a groin injury. When Franklin’s not with the first unit, he’s often with the second team. We’ve seen him make some plays in live drills so far, such as an interception and a couple of fumble recoveries."

This is the least surprising nugget we’ve read so far. Throughout Zaire’s Orange career, he has always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Some suggest that’s luck, I suggest great film study. That can’t be a coincidence and the fact that Franklin has received first team reps is highly encouraging for his future with the Colts. I’ll reiterate the comments I made ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, Franklin is going to be a 10-15 year player in this league based on his intelligence, his mental wherewithal, and of course his talent.

"Shamarko ThomasThomas is a newcomer, but he has done some nice things here or there. Today, for example (Tuesday, August 7), he laid a big hit on a receiver making a catch across the middle. It looked like a good, clean hit but the receiver was able to hold on. Thomas has been bouncing back and forth between the second and third-team defense."

The final former Cuse star trying to make things happen is Shamarko Thomas. He’s a little behind the eight-ball because he signed with the blue and white late, but he’s a veteran and he’ll be able to figure it out. Since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas has bounced around the league, perhaps he can have a rebirth with the organization that once was led by similarly sized safety Bob Sanders.