Steve Gregory picked off two passes for the Orange in 2005.
Franklin, Gregory Sign Free Agent Contracts
5/3/2006 2:44:17 PM | Football
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse seniors Steve Franklin and Steve Gregory have both signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. Franklin, a three-year starter on the offensive line, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and Gregory, a four-year starter for the Orange, agreed to terms with the San Diego Chargers.
Franklin will report to the Chiefs’ mini-camp for rookies on May 12-14, while Gregory will practice with the Chargers at their rookie mini-camp on May 13-15.
Franklin will join running back Dee Brown, offensive tackle Kevin Sampson, and linebacker Rich Scanlon on the Chiefs, who all played in Orange in their collegiate careers.
Franklin was one of 16 players to start in all 11 games in 2005 and he started 34 of the 35 games he played in at SU. Last season, he helped the Orange run the ball for a total of 1,172 yards. Damien Rhodes used his blockers for 900 of those yards to finish his career ninth on Syracuse’s all-time career rushing yards list. As a junior, Franklin was part of the offensive line that blocked for the first Orange running back duo to each run for 800 yards. Rhodes and Walter Reyes accomplished that feat.
Gregory played on all sides of the ball in his four seasons at Syracuse. As a cornerback, he is third on the SU career passes defended list with 40. Kevin Abrams and Will Allen are the only other student-athletes with more break ups. In his career, he totaled 168 tackles, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He also holds the single game record for pass break ups with six against North Carolina in 2002. As a junior, Gregory was used as a wide receiver and ranked second on the team in 2004 with 38 catches and 420 yards. He was SU’s leading receiver on third downs that season as 20 of his catches moved the chains. On special teams, Gregory returned 36 kickoffs for 737 yards, a 20.5 average. As a senior, he returned 10 punts for 115 yards. On the other side of the ball, he blocked five kicks in his career, which is tied for second all-time.
As a freshman in 2002, Gregory was named to the All-BIG EAST Freshman Team and was a Sporting News Freshman All-American as he led all freshmen in the nation with 21 passes defended.
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