Syracuse Football: Deconstructing Orange alumni in today’s NFL

Ahead of the 2019-2020 NFL Season, ITLH dissects the newcomers, the mainstays, and the proficient as they pertain to Syracuse football alumni in the pros.

Following a mid-July decision by the New York Giants to release Syracuse’s four-year starting quarterback and 2018 Camping World Bowl Champion Eric Dungey, we decided to analyze the newbies/hopefuls, the mainstays, and the seasoned veterans across the NFL who spent their collegiate years in Central New York.

The Newbies/Hopefuls:

Amba Etta-Tawo: Wide Receiver (New York Giants):

A late addition to this list is former Syracuse football wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo. In 2018 Amba just missed out on making the New York Giants 53 man roster and instead was kept on the practice squad. Due to the myriad of injuries and suspensions to the entire Giants receiving core in 2019, Amba beat out three other wide receivers to earn a spot on the roster heading into training camp. We’ll see if the second time is the charm for Amba in 2019.

Chris Slayton: Defensive Tackle (New York Giants):

Following a tenacious three years with the Orange, Syracuse’s lone NFL draftee in 2019 totaled 24 tackles (eight for loss), and more than three sacks while anchoring SU to a 10-3 record and bowl victory over West Virginia in late December. After earning an honorable mention among the best of the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season, the eventual 245th pick in this year’s draft impressed during the combine. Slayton is hoping that New York’s rich history of drafting defensive tackles will usher in early playing opportunities to prove himself in year one.

Dontae Strickland: Running Back (Arizona Cardinals):

Much like Slayton, Strickland gradually and consistently earned his keep with Syracuse during his four years in upstate New York. The near-2000 yard rusher at SU averaged four yards per carry and 15 touchdowns across 45 games with the Orange, six of which came in 2018.

After going undrafted, the versatile back skipped his Syracuse graduation to try out for the Cardinals at a rookie minicamp, a decision that would soon earn him a contract with the organization ahead of the 2019 season. It’ll be interesting to see what role Strickland has in Arizona’s backfield behind David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, and T.J. Logan.

Cody Conway: Offensive Tackle (Tennessee Titans):

A 13-game starter in 2018 and lead role player in Syracuse’s top-15 offense in the country (40+ points per game), Conway’s exploits at left tackle led to a Syracuse record 523 points in a season and 38 rushing touchdowns. Conway’s consistency since his sophomore year (30 starts in his final 30 games), and noticeable growth in playing time attributed to him finishing with the second most snaps played on the team in 2018. The undrafted free agent was signed by Tennessee in April.

Koda Martin: Offensive Tackle (LA Chargers):

A one-year starter for Syracuse in 2018 after transferring over from Texas A&M. Koda Martin appeared in 47 combined games between the Aggies and the Orange and lettered in 2018 after leading the team in snaps played with 1,111. The All-ACC third-team selection was the first undrafted Syracuse football player to sign a deal with an NFL team.

Steve Ishmael: Wide Receiver (Indianapolis Colts):

After an enthralling 12-game, 2017 campaign with Syracuse in which Ishmael tallied an unprecedented 105 receptions for 1,347 yards and seven scores, the wideout was signed as an undrafted free agent by Indianapolis. Following a two-month stint with the Colts’ practice squad in 2018, Ishmael briefly became an active roster member for a couple of weeks before rejoining the teams’ practice squad. After signing a contract with the Colts in January, Ishmael will look to earn his keep in his second year out of Syracuse.

Jamal Custis: Wide Receiver (Kansas City Chiefs):

Custis’ role in Syracuse’s first 10-win season in 18 years earned him a healthy $100,000 contract as an undrafted free agent this past may with Kansas City during his quest to make the teams’ roster of 53. The Philadelphia native’s 900 yards and six scores earned him a spot on the All-ACC second-team and showed that he can thrive as a wideout and member of a special teams unit.

The Mainstays:

Zaire Franklin, Linebacker (Indianapolis Colts):

Franklin turned heads and disproved critics in 2018 after being selected 235th overall in last year’s

NFL draft. The six-foot linebacker played in all 16 of Indianapolis’ regular-season contests, logging 29 total tackles on the season. Despite standing two inches shorter than the average NFL linebacker, Franklins’ mobility earned him consistent playing time under Frank Reich, something that should continue for as long as the SU alum stays healthy.

Riley Dixon: Punter (New York Giants):

Since his NFL inception during the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Dixon’s consistency through three seasons in the pros makes him one of the older players on this list. The once Denver Bronco is entering his second year with New York after averaging more than 45 yards on 71 punts with the Giants in 2018. Dixon’s 218 punts with Syracuse totaled more than 9,280 yards and has used the consistent leg that kept him relevant in Central New York to become one of the NFL’s more potent punting options.

Shamarko Thomas: Safety (Denver Broncos):

Thomas enters year seven with Denver, the fifth team he’s been with since departing Syracuse in 2013. The former fourth-round selection by Pittsburgh has seen more ups than downs during his NFL career but managed to sign a contract with Denver this past January after being signed and released by the organization twice last season. Thomas will look to improve on his’ career 69 tackles and one forced fumble in 2019 when his name is called.

The Seasoned Veterans:

Justin Pugh: Offensive Tackle (Arizona Cardinals):

Pugh, a former first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2013, has quietly been one of the NFL’s more potent offensive tackles over six years and 70 games split between New York and Arizona. After inking a five-year deal with the Cardinals in 2018, a knee injury ended Pugh’s first year with his new team. Now entering year two with Arizona, Pugh will continue to serve as a viable tackle, and perhaps help his new teammate Strickland thrive on the ground if he’s given playing time in his rookie season.

Chandler Jones: Defensive End (Arizona Cardinals):

Jones, New England’s 21st overall selection in 2012, spent much of his collegiate career battling Pugh in practice at Syracuse. Six years later, the two rendezvoused in Arizona ahead of the 2018 season. Jones has just shy of 80 sacks to his name over a seven-year career in the NFL, 30 of which have come since 2017. Jones’ consistency has made him one of the league’s most feared edge rushers and sparing any injuries, the 29-year-old may be far from finished.