Syracuse Orange in the NFL: Wrapping up 2025 season as it relates to former SU stars

With Super Bowl LX in the books, we can put a bow on the 2025 NFL season from a Syracuse football perspective. This was one of the best seasons in recent memory for former Syracuse players. That was to be expected with four players from the 10-win team in 2024 getting drafted, on top of the players already on NFL rosters and those who worked their way onto the field this past season.

With any luck, former Orange players will make an even bigger impact in 2026. For now, let’s look back at what all of the former Syracuse players in the NFL accomplished in 2025.

Courtney Jackson, Seahawks

We start with Jackson, who played at Syracuse from 2019 to 2022 and was signed to Seattle’s practice squad in late August. While he never made it onto the active roster, Jackson does get a Super Bowl ring for being part of the Seahawks. Yes, practice squad players get Super Bowl rings.

Riley Dixon, Buccaneers

Dixon is the longest-tenured NFL player to come out of Syracuse. He just wrapped up his 10th season in the league and his first with the Buccaneers. Dixon was steady all season and shouldn’t be blamed for Tampa’s late-season collapse. Since he signed a two-year, $6 million deal last offseason, Dixon should be back in Tampa in 2026.

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

Tucker also played for the Buccaneers this season, spending his third year in Tampa. Unfortunately, his playing time was sporadic for much of the season, although he seemed to find a niche in short-yardage situations late in the season. That helped Tucker to score a career-high eight touchdowns in 2025. That includes the receiving touchdown he had during a huge game against the Bills in November, in which he had 106 rushing yards and 34 receiving yards. As a restricted free agent, the Bucs have the option of bringing back Tucker next season, and it looks like Tampa is leaning toward keeping him, perhaps with a larger role.

Zaire Franklin, Colts

Once again, Franklin helped to carry the banner for Syracuse in the NFL. He started all 17 games for the Colts, racking up 125 tackles and two sacks. While he didn’t match his productivity from 2024 when he led the NFL in tackles, Franklin continued to be a key cog and leader for the Indianapolis defense. With two years left on his contract, he’ll be back with the Colts in 2026.

Oronde Gadsden, Chargers

Gadsden was undoubtedly the most impactful rookie among former Orange players. It was shocking to see him fall to the fifth round in last year’s draft, giving the Chargers tremendous value. After not being used much early in the season, Gadsden hit the ground running when he finally got regular snaps, even if his production tailed off late in the season. When all was said and done, he started seven games, totaling 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns. Gadsden is in line to be a starter next season and could emerge as one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

Marlowe Wax, Chargers

The Chargers signed Wax as an undrafted free agent, and he proceeded to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. However, he was inactive for most of the season until finally getting a chance to play in week 18. Wax ended up being one of the standout defensive players in that game for the Chargers. With any luck, that game will be a springboard to a bigger role on the Los Angeles defense next season. If nothing else, Wax looks capable of maintaining his roster spot with his play on special teams.

LeQuint Allen, Jaguars

Among the batch of Syracuse rookies in the NFL this season, Allen was quietly among the top contributors. The Jaguars took him in the seventh round of the draft, making Allen their third-down back. While he was used mostly as a blocker, Allen drew great praise for how he performed in that role, as well as his contributions on special teams. On the season, Allen had just 94 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards. However, he’s surely going to have a role on the Jags next season, as he’s proven to be a valuable commodity as a third-down back.

Andre Szmyt, Browns

Three years removed from his last season at Syracuse in 2022, Szmyt finally got a chance in the NFL, beating out Dustin Hopkins in training camp and making Cleveland’s 53-man roster. Of course, it was a rough start to the season for Szmyt, who missed a PAT and a late field goal in a 17-16 loss in week 1. However, he was close to perfect the rest of the season. That was the only PAT Szmyt missed all season. He also finished 24 of 27 on field goals, including a game-winner in week 18, capping off a great redemption story for Szmyt, while also setting him up to be a part of the future in Cleveland.

Garrett Williams, Cardinals

This was a forgettable season for Williams. He was placed on IR after a week 2 knee injury. After returning and being a positive on a bad Arizona team, Williams saw his season end when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in week 16. That injury creates some questions about Williams heading into 2026 despite solid play for the Cardinals throughout the early part of his career.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, Dolphins

It was a somewhat uneven season for Melifonwu in 2025, playing for a subpar defense in Miami. He played in 16 games, collecting 53 tackles and one sack, not to mention an interception against Josh Allen in November. Since he was on a one-year deal, Melifonwu will be a free agent again this offseason, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can secure a job for next season.

Matthew Bergeron, Falcons

When healthy, Bergeron continued to be a key part of Atlanta’s offensive line. An injury briefly sidelined him, causing him to miss time for the first time in his NFL career. Yet, the former second-round pick started 15 games for the Falcons. He’s under contract for one more season and could be a candidate to receive an extension to secure his future with the Falcons.

Alijah Clark, Cowboys

The safety Syracuse fans know as “Cinco” began the season on the Dallas practice squad but worked his way onto the full roster in October. He appeared in six games, totaling 15 tackles, mostly on special teams. However, Clark did make one start for a Dallas defense that was plagued by injuries all season. He also made one of the plays of the season in November, showing the true meaning of DART on a punt in which he forced a fumble. He’s under contract for 2026 and will be back with the Cowboys next season.

Justin Barron, Cowboys

Just like Clark, Barron signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He spent almost the entire season on the practice squad until finally getting activated and making his NFL debut in week 18. Having signed a three-year contract with the Cowboys last year, Barron has a chance to stick with Dallas and have a bigger role in 2026.

Andre Cisco, Jets

Cisco signed a one-year deal to join the Jets during the offseason and jumped right into the starting lineup for them. Unfortunately, the Jets started the season 1-7, at which point Cisco suffered a pectoral tear and then underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. In the eight games he played, Cisco recorded 41 tackles and recovered a fumble. He’ll be back on the free-agent market this offseason.

Kingsley Jonathan, Jets

Jonathan was with the Jets in training camp but didn’t make the roster. He was briefly on Buffalo’s practice squad in November, before going back to the Jets’ practice squad in December. The Jets activated Jonathan for week 18, and he made one tackle against the Bills.

Isaiah Johnson, Dolphins

Johnson spent his entire rookie season in 2024 on Miami’s practice squad, which is where he began the 2025 campaign as well. He finally got promoted to the active roster in December, appearing in four games for the Dolphins, making three tackles. Unfortunately, Johnson tore his ACL in practice in late December. That could make it harder for him to find a team willing to give him a chance next season.

Tommy DeVito, Patriots

After the Giants foolishly signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the quarterback room had no space left for DeVito, who was waived but quickly claimed by the Patriots. DeVito served as New England’s third-string quarterback this season. While he didn’t get any snaps, he continues to appear in commercials.

Jackson Meeks, Lions

Meeks made huge waves during the preseason, nearly making Detroit’s roster. However, he was waived and spent the season on Detroit’s practice squad. He was briefly on the active roster, but never got the chance to make his NFL debut. After the season, Meeks signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions and will be back with them in 2026.

Fadil Diggs, Saints

Diggs initially settled for a spot on the New Orleans practice squad, although he ended up on the active roster in time to make his NFL debut in week 1. Unfortunately, the Saints waived him after week 1, bringing him back to the team’s practice squad. While he is yet to record his first NFL tackle, Diggs remains under contract with the Saints and will have a chance to play his way onto the roster next season.

Kyle McCord, Eagles

Last but not least, there is McCord. The Eagles gave him a chance, drafting him in the sixth round. However, McCord didn’t make Philadelphia’s roster, settling for a spot on the practice squad. After the season, McCord signed a reserve/futures contract with the Packers, so he’ll have a chance to compete in training camp to be Green Bay’s backup quarterback.