Syracuse Football: Best non-first round SU picks in NFL Draft history

• Second round pick (52nd overall) in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
• Played for Syracuse from 1989 through 1992.

You should recognize the last name Ismail, it’s a family heritage with all the nicknames. We’ve seen Raghib Ramadian “Rocket” Ismail and now we have the other half with Qadry ‘The Missile’ Ismail.

Ismail was a dual-sport athlete at Syracuse. He starred in football obviously, but also was a track star. Usually track stars are wide receivers and return specialists and Ismail was no different. He went 5-0 in bowls, a stat you probably didn’t know (he was the 1993 Japanese All-Star Game MVP), and was a All Big-East first team wide receiver.

He broke a drought and was the highest drafted player since Art Monk (pretty good company) in 1993. Throughout his career he was a bit of a journyman, never staying in one place too long. Fortunatley during that roller coaster ride he had several high points in his career.

Perhaps none greater than his role on the Baltimore Ravens. He had the best year of his career in 1999 and was a key cog on the Ravens championship team in 2000. Ismail caught a 47-yard pass in the Super Bowl and earned a championship ring.