When it comes to powerhouse college football programs that produce NFL talent, the Syracuse Orange aren’t among the first schools that come to mind. Although the university has a well-documented history on the gridiron, complete with Hall of Fame players, it pales in comparison in national championships to many other Power Five schools.
From legendary running backs to defensive stoppers to a gunslinger, the Orange have carved out an impressive contribution to the list of elite NFL players in history. In addition to these five great Syracuse players, numerous members of the Orange have competed and captured NFL championship rings and for fans who know how to bet on the Super Bowl, this has added yet another layer of excitement to following their transition from the college ranks through their professional careers.
1. Jim Brown (Running Back, 1954-56)
Arguably one of the greatest players to suit up at the running back position, Jim Brown spent three seasons at Syracuse, earning All-American honors before entering the 1957 NFL Draft.
Selected sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns, a team that he spent all nine years of his NFL career with, Brown dominated the league right out of the gates. Leading the league in rushing and touchdowns in his rookie season, Brown’s combination of speed and power made him the odds on favorite for both the MVP and the Rookie of the Year awards, becoming the only player in league history to accomplish this feat.
Brown finished his Hall of Fame career averaging an astonishing 104.3 rushing yards, leading the league eight times and capturing two more MVP awards. In 1964, Brown was the focal point behind Cleveland’s run to the NFL Championship. Although he would retire at the young age of 29, Brown set the benchmark for future running backs.
2. Floyd Little (Running Back, 1964-66)
A decade after Brown left the upstate New York campus, “The Franchise” stepped in to provide a slightly similar result. A three-time All-American, Little, like Brown, had his Syracuse number retired after his illustrious college career. After twice finishing top five in the Heisman Award voting, Little would be selected sixth overall in the 1967 NFL Draft (the same slot as Brown), by the Denver Broncos.
One of the top running backs of his time, Little finished his NFL career with 6,323 yards and 52 touchdowns (43 rushing, 9 receiving) and earned five Pro Bowl honors.
3. Dwight Freeney (Defensive End 1998-2001)
An All-American and Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year in his senior season, Dwight Freeney provided the Orange with a dominant force on the defensive end. Finishing his four years of college ball with 104 tackles and 34 sacks, the 6’1”, 285lb Freeney was a wrecking ball of speed, power and skill.
Selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the eleventh pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Freeney terrorized opposing quarterbacks with his patented spin-move as he established himself as one of the league’s elite defenders. During his sixteen year season of which he earned seven Pro Bowl selections, Freeney suited up for six different teams, spending eleven years with the Colts, helping the team capture the Super Bowl XLI title.
4. Art Monk (Running Back / Wide Receiver 1976-1979)
One of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers, Art Monk led the Orange in receiving during his final three years on campus, finishing his tenure with 1,644 yards, 102 receptions and 9 total touchdowns. With several school records to his credit, Monk entered the 1980 NFL Draft where he would be selected with the eighteenth pick by the Washington Redskins.
With precision route running and Stickum on his hands, Monk became a go-to target during his fourteen years in Washington. A three-time Super Bowl champion while with the Redskins, Monk played an additional two seasons with the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles before calling it a Hall of Fame career with over 12,000 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns.
5. Donovan McNabb (Quarterback 1996-1998)
During his four seasons with the Orange, Donovan McNabb piloted his team to four straight Bowl games and earned three straight Big East Offensive Player of the Year Awards. Starting every game of his college career, McNabb left Syracuse holding three school records. During the offseason in his freshman and sophomore years, McNabb suited up for the Orange’s men’s basketball team , making an appearance in the 1996 NCAA Championship game.
Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the second pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, McNabb led the team to eight playoff appearances during his eleven seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. A dual threat quarterback, McNabb and the Eagles reached the Super Bowl in 2004 and appeared in five NFC Championship games. A six time Pro Bowl recipient, McNabb spent the final two years of his NFL career split between the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings.
