When the NFL kicks off the regular season in September, there will be nearly 1700 players on rosters across the 32 teams. So being named a top 100 player in the league (approximately the 94th percentile) is a big honor. And this year Syracuse football is represented in the top 100.
The NFL Top 100, voted on by players across the year, is being released this week, and grabbing the #100 spot on the list is 2018 Syracuse alum and current Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. It’s Franklin’s first time being ranked in the top 100.
At Syracuse, Franklin was a leader both on and off the field. He played in every game from his freshman to senior year, recording 311 tackles and 31.5 tackles for loss. He also was a three-time captain for the Orange. That had not happened in the program since 1896. Despite his strong seasons, Franklin slid all the way to the 235th pick of the 2019 NFL draft where the Indianapolis Colts selected them.
Since then it’s been an astronomical climb for the Philadelphia native. The real jump came in the 2022 season when Franklin had 167 tackles while starting 17 games. And this past year, he ranked second in the league in tackles with 179.
Even despite the recent struggles that Syracuse football has had, it’s an encouraging sign to see that alumni are making a difference at the next level. And with the strong 2024 class for SU football, there may be a lot more Syracuse in the league next year. A recent mock draft had Fadil Diggs, Oronde Gadsden and Alijah Clark getting picked next season. Quarterback Kyle McCord is also sure to get professional looks.
Franklin meanwhile is one of ten Orange alumni who have a solid chance to be on a pro roster this season. He’s joined by Garrett Williams, Matthew Bergeron, Kingsley Jonathan, Riley Dixon, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Andrew Cisco, Isaiah Johnson, Trishton Jackson and Sean Tucker.
To break into the league is an impressive feat in and of itself, but Franklin has garnered more and more attention with each passing season. There’s a good chance by next season he’ll be ranked in the double digits for the first time.
