As the NFL Combine is taking place, Syracuse football has three players announced to be participating and deservedly so. Orange running back Sean Tucker, offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron and defensive back Garrett Williams were officially invited, according to a press release from cuse.com.
Sadly, amongst those missing the list include the most accurate kicker in Syracuse football history, Andre Szmyt, Chris “Rhino” Elmore, Aaron Bolinsky, and a guy who was a leader on defense and was loved/respected by teammates and competitors, linebacker Mikel Jones.
Seeing a kicker not make the list I guess isn’t that unusual and with the injury history of Rhino and long snapper maybe not being a glorious position, I can maybe somewhat justify this in my head, but omitting Mikel is just crazy.
Thinking about this omit has me thinking about another former Syracuse football defensive leader on and off the field in the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin. Franklin was a huge asset to the Orange during his career in Syracuse and has contributed greatly to the Colts’ defense.
Is Syracuse football linebacker Mikel Jones the next Zaire Franklin?
And you may say, where is the comparison, especially since you’ve said in the past you’re not a fan of comparing players? Well in this case it’s because I remember specifically thinking Franklin deserved more attention than he got and was left wondering why he had to wait until the 7th round before he was drafted in the NFL.
Now I don’t know where Mikel might get drafted but I do think that he’s earned the right based on his play and leadership to be at the combine. If you sleep on Mikel, don’t be surprised if some team is smart enough to say “this guy’s value is definitely better than this draft slot so we need to jump on this now” and then watch as he, much like Franklin, becomes a huge contributor to his team.
Zaire Franklin ended this last NFL season becoming the new leader in tackles in a season for the Colts franchise with 166 tackles. Mikel ends his Syracuse football career with 301 career tackles, a two-time Butkus Award semifinals list, and a team captain twice in his tenure on the Hill.
Mikel is listed at 6’1 224 and Zaire is 6’0 235, so even their builds are very similar, along with their ability to lead the defense.
And as mentioned previously, Franklin was a 7th-round draft pick and it seems ESPN at least has Mikel projected to be drafted in the 6th round. I admit I’m biased at times as a Syracuse football fan, but I dare you to watch this highlight video below and tell me he can’t be a guy who makes the tackles at the NFL level, much like Franklin does.
So if you’re an NFL scout sleeping on Mikel Jones and his ability to contribute to an NFL roster, don’t be surprised if you’re watching him tackle your quarterback or running back instead of in your locker room.
Don’t be that NFL executive who says, “Well ESPN said he’s a 6th-round talent so we waited until then to draft him but he was already gone.” Be that GM who says, “this guy’s a sleeper player we could have for several years and I’m not waiting to watch someone else grab him before we can.”
Good luck to Mikel Jones, because you sir earned this opportunity and I truly believe you’re the type of player, much like Zaire, that if given the opportunity will only thrive and succeed. And to Zaire Franklin, keep up the great work as many of us Syracuse football fans are pridefully watching every snap you play in the NFL.