Orange in the NFL: AFC West

Many former Syracuse players have achieved a lot during their college careers. SU has won a National Championship and 42 players have earned All-America honors. The achievements did not end at Syracuse as many players have gone on to have successful NFL careers. There are currently 35 former Orange standouts who are in the NFL, including eight players who compete in the AFC West.

Offensive lineman P.J. Alexander will enter his fifth NFL season and his fourth with the Denver Broncos. Alexander missed the entire 2005 season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He is one of nine guards listed on the preseason Broncos roster. Alexander was named to the 2001 All-BIG EAST Second Team after he paved the way for James Mungro to record the fourth-highest single-season rushing total in SU history.

Another member of the Broncos roster is fullback Kyle Johnson. Johnson is set to begin his fourth season with the Broncos and his fifth in the NFL. He has emerged as a reliable pass-catcher and lead blocker over the past two seasons for Denver. Last season, Johnson started 14 games and recorded nine rushing yards and one touchdown on four carries and 160 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 17 catches. He also helped block for the Broncos’ running backs who totaled 2,539 rushing yards, the second-highest amount in team history. During his career at SU, Johnson totaled 466 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries and added 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches.

Running back Dee Brown is one of four former SU players listed on Kansas City’s roster. Brown is entering his sixth NFL season and his second with the Chiefs. He recorded 21 rushing yards on seven carries last season in addition to three catches for 23 yards and one touchdown. Brown is one of seven running backs competing for Kansas City. He rushed for 2,626 yards and 28 touchdowns during his SU career. His rushing yards are the eight-highest mark in school history while his touchdown total ties him with Ernie Davis for fourth all-time.

Offensive lineman Steve Franklin will begin his NFL career with the Chiefs this year. Franklin is one five guards competing for the Chiefs this year. He started all 11 games for SU in 2005 and was part of an offensive unit that piled up 1,172 rushing yards. He also started 11 games in his junior and sophomore seasons. During his junior year, Syracuse allowed the second-fewest sacks in the BIG EAST and during his sophomore year, the Orange set a school single-season record with 20 rushing touchdowns.

Offensive tackle Kevin Sampson is set to begin his third season with Kansas City. Sampson has seen action in 10 games and made one start during his two-year career. He is one of 10 tackles listed on the roster. Sampson played in 44 games at Syracuse, blocking for a 1,000-yard rusher all four years. Along with Franklin, Sampson was an integral part of the offensive line that helped pave the way for SU’s single-season record of 20 rushing touchdowns in 2003.

Linebacker Rich Scanlon is entering his third season with the Chiefs. Scanlon recorded 29 special teams tackles last season, the second-highest total in team history. He is one of 10 linebackers competing for Kansas City. Scanlon recorded 277 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and eight passes defended during his Syracuse career. He was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team as a senior after leading the team and finishing third in the BIG EAST with 147 tackles. He also added 1.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and four passes defended.

Wide receiver Johnnie Morant is a member of the Oakland Raiders. Set to begin his third pro season, Morant has seen action in five games. He has recorded one reception for 20 yards and has also made one tackle on special teams. Morant will be competing with 12 other receivers for a spot on Oakland’s roster. He was SU’s top receiver in 2003, making 46 receptions for 799 yards and five touchdowns. Morant ranks 10th in school history with 1,535 career receiving yards.

Cornerback Steve Gregory joined the San Diego Chargers during the off-season. Gregory is one of nine cornerbacks listed on the Chargers’ roster. He finished his college career ranked third in school history with 40 passes defended, including a single-game school record with six against North Carolina in 2002. Gregory recorded 168 tackles, six interceptions and two forced fumbles at Syracuse. In addition, he was the team’s second-leading receiver as a junior, registering 38 catches for 420 yards.

Syracuse will kick off the 2006 season with an away game against Wake Forest on Sept. 2. The team then travels back to the Carrier Dome for the home opener against Iowa on Sept. 9. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). To purchase tickets via the internet, click here.

Syracuse University Athletics

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