The hype surrounding Syracuse football safety Andre Cisco continues to build. The All-American has been voted the top overall safety in college football.
Lindy’s Sports, a magazine and website that has been providing college football coverage for decades, has put out its 2020 college football preview magazine, which is in stores now. Recognized on this year’s edition is Andre Cisco, the starting safety for Syracuse football, who was voted the top safety in college football by the magazine.
Cisco, who led all FBS players with seven interceptions in 2018 during his freshman campaign, followed that up with five more last season. That makes him the active FBS leader in interceptions, which is quite impressive, given he’s only played two years of college football.
It didn’t take long for his skills to be noticed, as he brought home AP third-team All-American status after his freshman season. Most recently, Cisco was honored with a preseason First-Team selection by Street & Smith and has been ranked very high on NFL Draft boards for 2021.
Cisco’s main ability is his ball-hawking skills. The 12 interceptions speak volumes, but his speed and elusiveness allow him to knock down many more passes, stopping long plays and drives from happening.
He’s also a very hard hitter, causing numerous fumbles in his time with the Orange. This secondary skill is what places him high on draft boards. He isn’t just a safety who makes plays through the air, but on the ground as well.
Heading into 2020, it’s important for Cisco to keep focused. The Orange haven’t had a player drafted in the first round since Justin Pugh in 2013, who followed Chandler Jones in 2012. Both Pugh and Jones are perennial starters in the NFL, with Jones considered one of, if not, the best sack artist in the league.
So, for Cisco, it’s easy to get bottled up in all of the awards and honors he’s been receiving thus far.
However, if he can have that same hunger as he did during his first year on the Hill, there’s no reason why Cisco can’t have another fantastic season with Syracuse football. After all, it could pay off big time for his future in football.