Football season is around the corner. It might feel like summer, but in less than a month, Syracuse and Ohio will be kicking off. Just a week after, some SU alums have their first taste of NFL action incoming. Andre Cisco, Iffy Melifonwu and Trill Williams have been working their way through training camps, and it seems like NFL coaches, journalists and fans are taking a liking to the former Orange defensive backs.
Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s start with Cisco, the earliest selection. After getting drafted in the third round, which most would regard as a steal, he has consistently gotten rave reviews for his physicality and hard-hitting nature.
Cisco had four total tackles, two of them solo, and a pass breakup in his preseason debut.
Cisco’s fellow safety Rayshawn Jenkins says the rookie plays with a calm nature beyond his years.
“He‚Äôs poised to be a young player. I remember coming in, I wasn‚Äôt as poised as him, and I was telling him that. So, I‚Äôm trying to stay in his ear just so he can kind of see where his game is compared to some other guys.”
https://blackandteal.com/2021/08/01/jacksonville-jaguars-andre-cisco-start/
Some are saying that Cisco has a chance to even start next to Jenkins in the Jags’ home opener against the Texans.
Even if he’s not with the ones, expect to see solid numbers from Cisco this year. If you’re trying to see him face your favorite team, the Jaguars host the Bills in Week 8 and travel to MetLife Stadium in Week 15 to face the Jets.
Iffy Melifonwu, Detroit Lions
There’s been a lot of change in the Lions organization over the offseason. Detroit brought in a new head coach, Dan Campbell, who is completely changing things up (Did you see how much coffee the dude drinks?!) Melifonwu is competing for a backup corner spot, but definitely caught the attention of the head honcho early on after getting in a little scrap with fellow rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown.
“I was fired up,” Campbell said,¬†via Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “Because they were competing, man. It was good to see both of them, two young bucks, go after it. They were, uh — look, we had a pretty good idea of Amon-Ra, you know? The Sun God? What he’s capable of? His aggressiveness shows up — it would show up on tape — in college.¬†
“Look, this guy will mix it up. And there’s things you see with Iffy in school, but I didn’t quite know. And to know he’s got, ‘Hey man, I’m not your punching bag.’ That encouraged me, it really did.”
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dan-campbell-fired-up-over-fight-at-lions-practice-between-amon-ra-st-brown-and-ifeatu-melifonwu/
That’s not usually what a training camp right hook gets you, but hey, whatever works. Campbell has kept eyes on his young Orange corner.
Melifonwu also recorded three solo tackles in the first preseason game.
Trill Williams, Miami Dolphins
Williams signed a UDFA deal with the Saints, and then was waived. Three days later, the Dolphins picked him up, and he’s put his head to the grindstone.
Williams didn’t play much in the beginning of Miami’s first preseason game, but he got some action, and made the most of it with three total tackles.
And this moment went semi-viral. Lined up in press coverage, Trill bullies the opposing Bears receiver.
All in all, we in the 315 can expect to see some of SU’s finest for years to come on Sundays.
