Everyone talks about 1st round picks in the NFL Draft, but what about the other guys? Here are the best non-first round Syracuse football stars in history.
Ah it’s almost draft day. A wonderful time of the year where players dreams are realized. In Syracuse football history 21 players have received that honor, but not everyone can get their name called on the opening night. There’s only 32 teams in the NFL after all.
But as we know, there’s six other rounds in the NFL Draft. Plenty of opportunities are available for players to make their mark in the pros, but just via a different path.
While SU has had a rich history in the first round, they’ve also done quite well in the other rounds. ITLH already looked at and ranked every first round pick in Syracuse football history, now it’s time to look at the other guys.
Inside the Loud House ranked the best of the rest, but the catch this time is there can only be 10 players on this list. Some got left out, that’s the nature of the beast. So let’s appreciate the 10 elite members who made the cut.
- Sixth round pick (165th overall) in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders.
- Played for Syracuse from 1983 through 1985.
Wait Doug Marrone the former Syracuse football coach? Why is he on this list? Wait a second, he played FOR THE DOME DUDES? Woah, mind blown.
But yes it’s true, before Marrone was the old curmudgeon head coach for the Syracuse football team, he was actually a promising player for the Orange. If you can believe it Marrone played in the trenches as a guard.
He actually played for several teams including the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and the London Monarchs. Wait who? But the reason for Marrone squeezing into the top-10 is more because of his prowess as a head coach not as a marginal NFL player.
Marrone started coaching at Syracuse in 2008 and lasted four seasons. He was average. No I’m not making fun of him, he was literally average (25-25, career record). He helped the team win two bowl games and stay relevant in college football. A lot of SU fans are still scorned from him ditching the team for a pro gig and how he went about it.
- Second round pick (56th overall) in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
- Played for Syracuse from 1983 through 1986.
This is a case where the collegiate career was way better than the NFL career — and that’s okay. Actually it’s more than okay because a player like Scott Schwedes will forever be remembered for his time in Orange.
You might have noticed his name come up in message boards two years ago in the Syracuse community. That’s because his 31-year record finally fell at the hands of Amba Etta-Tawo. Schwedes had a banner day catching eight passes for 249 yards against the Boston College Eagles 31 years ago.
That record stood the test of time until Dino Babers and the Orange is the New Fast machine came pounding down the door. While Schwedes’ overall numbers are basic, he was a guy who was just so consistent. He always stepped up when the Orange needed him most.
In his final three seasons with SU he had at least 34 receptions, 500 yards, and three touchdowns. He wasn’t that big talker, but that’s because he didn’t have to be. He always let his play do the talking.
- Fourth round pick (101st overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Played for Syracuse from 2006 through 2009.
This is going to be a polarizing pick, so let’s address that right up front. The one thing you can’t question is Mike Williams’ talent level. He’s a born and bred Buffalo native and decided to stay local by attending Syracuse University.
As soon as he stepped on campus, SU fans knew they had something special. As a true freshman he led the team in receiving yards, as a sophomore he became an All Big-East selection, but that’s where things went awry.
Williams was suspended that summer for the 2008 season due to academic reasons. SU got him back for 2009 and there was even more trouble and Williams just straight quit the team after his involvement in a car accident with teammates and if he didn’t quit he would’ve been suspended for violating team policy.
Despite all the hoopla, he still got drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After his first couple of years in the league, it seemed like Williams was going to be the next big thing. So much so that he signed a massive $40 million extension with Tampa. But his old demons caught up to him and he was asking for trades left and right and fizzled out. He hasn’t been in the league since 2014.
- 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.
- Fifth round pick (157th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
- Played for Syracuse from 2006 through 2009.
I think it’s fair to say that Arthur Jones is one of the most underappreciated talents in Syracuse Football history. He’s the forgotten about brother in his uber talented family. Jon Jones is a premier MMA talent who will be in the Hall of Fame one day. His other brother Chandler has put up sexy stats in the NFL as one of the game’s most dominant talents.
While Arthur Jones simply clocked in and clocked out everyday. Jones never got the sexy stats, he did all the grunt work in the trenches on defense. Coming out of a high school he was a two star recruit, nothing special, or so the experts said.
Jones used that chip on his shoulder and let his play do the talking. He was remarkable at Syracuse garnering multiple honors and that led him to being drafted in the fifth round. But Jones has proven it doesn’t matter when you get drafted, it’s all about making the most of the hand you were dealt.
Ironically Arthur ended up with 10 sacks in his NFL career. That’s the exact total his brother Chandler Jones finished up with during his time at Syracuse. They say everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that.
- Fourth round pick (110th overall) in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Played for Syracuse from 1975 through 1979.
Bill Hurley’s versatility should remind you of another Orange great in Jim Brown. Hurley was a multi-sport athlete and a pretty darn good one at that. The Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame had this to say on Hurley:
"“Hurley dominated the local scene in baseball and football, was team MVP in hockey, and a member of the school’s championship track and field team, but achieved his greatest stardom on the gridiron.”"
Hurley used that versatility at Syracuse on the football field. Not only was Hurley a phenomenal passer but he was one of the original dual threat guys back in the 1970’s. He finished his SU career ranked first in passing yards and third in rushing. I’m not just talking about third in rushing for quarterbacks, I’m talking overall. This list includes Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and even Floyd Little.
You could call him an old school Lamar Jackson. He became just the third quarterback in modern college football history to rush for at least 2,000 yards and pass for at least 3,000 yards. That collegiate success didn’t translate to a Hall of Fame NFL career, but it did result in being inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
- Second round pick (39th overall) in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
- Played for Syracuse from 1985 through 1988.
A position that doesn’t get much love anymore is the fullback position. Heck most NFL teams don’t even carry one anymore. That makes me cherish guys like Daryl ‘Moose’ Johnston even more. Only a few schools even offered him an opportunity coming out of high school, fortunately Moose chose SU.
Speaking of, how did Daryl get the nickname ‘Moose’? Well after he was drafted by ‘America’s Team’ in 1989, backup quarterback Babe Laufenberg called Daryl ‘Moose’ because he was so large compared to the other running backs on the Dallas Cowboys.
Before we get to his raving success with the Cowboys, let’s go back to where it all began. ‘Moose’ won the starting fullback job in his sophomore campaign for the Orange and the rest is history. He was an All Big-East selection, an All-American, and he also tumbled for 139 yards in a game once, which is only second best to Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka for the single game record.
While his success with Big D is obvious. He helped pave the way for the No. 1 leading rusher of all time in Emmitt Smith. Johnston is also considered one of the greatest special teams players in Cowboys history. ‘Moose’ should be remembered as the guy who was willing to do whatever it takes for the team and that’s how I remember him.
- Seventh round pick (171st overall) in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
- Played for Syracuse from 1979 through 1981.
I will start this off by saying kickers are people too. I’m also sure you didn’t know that Gary Anderson was the first South African player to ever play in a NFL game. But the other cool thing about kickers is because the position is less taxing physically, you can usually play for a long time. In Anderson’s case, he played 23 seasons in his career for six different teams.
There are a few kickers/punters in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gary Anderson should make the cut. Syracuse reigns supreme in that category and they could use some more in there. Only Morten Anderson and George Blanda had longer tenures in the pros and both of them are in the Hall of Fame.
While some players on this list will be remembered for one outstanding play in their careers, the same goes for Anderson. Although it wasn’t outstanding in a good way. It started out good though because Anderson became the first kicker in NFL History to have a perfect season in 1998.
He converted every field goal and every extra point in the regular season. Sadly that was overshadowed by the THE MISS in the 1998 NFC Championship game. Many still say to this day that the Minnesota Vikings team in 1998 was the best team to never win a Super Bowl. For better or for worse, Vikings fans still blame Anderson for not making the Super Bowl.
- Sixth round pick (211th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
- Played for Syracuse from 1999 through 2002.
I mean do I need to explain myself for this selection? Fine I will. David Tyree is responsible for the greatest catch in Super Bowl history. Not only did he catch a ball on his head on third and long to save the New York Giants, he locked in his legacy.
The team the Giants were facing were attempting football supremacy, trying to become only the second truly undefeated team in history (1972 Miami Dolphins). So for Tyree’s efforts, his legacy on this list has been solidified.
While at Syracuse, David was a solid player for the Orange. A top-20 all-time receiving yardage leader. But was really known for his prowess on special teams. He garnered six career punt blocks, an incredible number when you think about it.
The video attached above gives you a really nice story on the behind the scenes of this catch. Tyree apparently couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. But everything happens for a reason and Tyree will forever live in Giants and Syracuse lore.
- Second round pick (19th overall) in the 1963 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts.
- Played for Syracuse from 1960 through 1962.
If you don’t know who John Mackey is, SHAME ON YOU! He’s one of (if not) the greatest tight end of all-time. Something that speaks to that is the annual ‘John Mackey Award’ presented to college football’s most outstanding tight end.
Mackey is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, a five-time Pro Bowler, and was captain consistency. In his pro career, Mackey only ever missed one game. He ultimately had to retire due to a recurring knee issue.
Back in the day, tight ends were glorified offensive linemen, they aren’t the pass happy crazy extra wide receivers they’re considered today. His numbers at Syracuse are marginal by today’s standards, but everyone knew his true impact and how he changed the game.
Next: Syracuse Football: Ranking every SU first round pick in NFL Draft history
Not only was Mackey a terrific football player, but he was also a humanitarian. Mackey was the first president of the NFLPA following the AFL-NFL merger. Former No. 88, helped create the ’88 plan’ to financially support ex-players in their lives after football.