Syracuse Football: 2021 draft puts eyes on Andre Cisco
By Ryan Lee
With the 2020 NFL Draft barely in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to monitor 2021 draft prospects for Syracuse football. Andre Cisco is firmly in the mix.
Syracuse Football is still months away from their scheduled start and we have just seen the most recent NFL Draft yet it is already time to begin to eye next year’s draft class. One potential first-rounder, in 2021 in the eyes of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., is Syracuse Safety Andre Cisco.
NFL teams know their windows are limited so they are consistently scouting for that next star. Cisco could offer that potential as a safety. Throughout Cisco’s two years on campus he has proved to be a ball-hawking playmaker and according to CUSE.com is the active leader in FBS in interceptions.
Turnovers at any level of football is a volatile stat. Syracuse has found a way to maximize their opponents’ turnovers during Cisco’s two years. Cisco led the nation in interceptions during his freshman year. Cisco also added another five during his second campaign while only playing in nine games. Cisco has two forced fumbles to his credit as well.
Turnovers are not Cisco’s only specialty. Cisco has a growing reputation for targeting big hits up the middle when opposing safeties come through. In two years Cisco has been able to break up 28 passes along with his interceptions.
Cisco has shown Syracuse that he is able to play on Sunday’s after being an elite level safety for them. When considering Cisco’s real draft stock the biggest concern is the value of the safety position in the draft.
In the 2020 draft the first safety off the board was Xavier McKinney the 4th pick in the second round and 36th overall prospect. Many draft experts applauded the value of McKinney with many draft experts having a first-round grade on him.
That trend might only continue going further. As with the running back position, safety is usually a deep position and the need to have several versatile defensive backs on low cost helps preserve the depth NFL teams seek.
Either way, early reports have Cisco projected as the earliest Syracuse player since 2014 when Jay Bromley was selected in the third round.