Week 3 in the NFL just wrapped up, so here’s an inside look on how all the former Syracuse football stars performed.
Syracuse football has produced a few NFL prospects over the last couple of years.
Although one has simply risen above the rest and that’s Chandler Jones who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Currently, Syracuse has four players on active rosters and playing this season.
Other Syracuse alum in the NFL are either currently free agents or are injured: Koda Martin, Amba Etta-Tawo, and Steve Ishmael are all on their team’s injured reserve lists.
Chandler Jones
The defensive pass-rushing threat has already made an impact this season. Chandler Jones, class of 2011, made his debut in 2012 with the New England Patriots and hasn’t looked back since.
Jones is now playing for the Cardinals and continues to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. This season he has accrued three sacks and three forced fumbles already through three weeks.
Chandler’s season-high for forced fumbles is four, so he is already well on his way. In 2017, Jones was selected as an All-Pro when he totaled 17 sacks for the Cardinals.
The edge rusher hopes to continue his success next week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Justin Pugh
Staying in Arizona, Justin Pugh has begun his seventh NFL season. Pugh has played in 73 games and has started every single one of them.
Justin Pugh, class of 2012, has been a cog upfront for the New York Giants and Cardinals in his career.
This season Pugh is the starting left guard for Arizona and the team is 0-2-1 so far this season.
Pugh has played 100% of the offensive snaps through the first three weeks. He proves to be a reliable force on the line in a young, unproven system. The Syracuse grad has also yet to be flagged this season.
In Week 4 look for Pugh to be a significant presence against the Seattle pass rush.
Riley Dixon
The New York Giants found their punter in 2018 in the form of SU alum, Riley Dixon. Dixon class of 2015, began his career in Denver until he ended up with the Giants.
Despite a punting competition in the preseason Dixon ended up winning the job.
Riley has punted 14 times for New York this season averaging 46.6 yards per punt. This mark is the best average of his career, albeit only through three weeks.
Dixon was the primary punter for ‘Cuse from 2013-2015.
For the rest of the season, Dixon hopes to keep his stats up and flip field position for the Giants.
Zaire Franklin
Zaire Franklin is a stud on special teams for the Indianapolis Colts. He had an impressive camp and remained on the roster for the second straight year.
The class of 2017 grad, fought his way onto the Colts and had a nice rookie year a season ago. Franklin totaled 29 total tackles.
This year Franklin hasn’t seen a defensive snap, but he has still been on the field. Zaire plays in 83 percent of the special teams snaps through the first three weeks.
At SU Franklin recorded 310 tackles over four years on the Hill. Franklin hopes to use these skills to make his way into the Colts defensive rotation.