Orange in the NFL: NFC East

Success doesn’t stop at Syracuse for former football student-athletes. Many former SU players have gone on to have successful professional careers. There are currently 35 NFL players that called Syracuse home during their college careers, including five players who compete in the NFC East.

Offensive linemen Matt Tarullo is set to begin his second NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys. Tarullo is one of six guards listed on the Cowboys’ roster. He was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team following his senior season. In 2003, Tarullo helped block for Walter Reyes, who set a single-season school record with 20 rushing touchdowns, and R.J. Anderson, who set SU records in pass attempts and completions.

Safety Quentin Harris joins the New York Giants after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Harris recorded 45 tackles and three passes defended last season. He has totaled 91 tackles, one interception and four passes defended during his career. Harris is one of six safeties competing for a starting position this off-season. He earned second-team all-conference honors his senior season after recording 126 tackles, the most ever by a defensive back at SU. For his career, Harris recorded 327 tackles, the second-most by a defensive back, and 10 interceptions, which ranks 10th all-time in school history.

Fullback Greg Hanoian is set to begin his first season with the Giants. He is one of three fullbacks competing for the Giants this season. Hanoian ran 18 times for 86 yards and caught 5 passes for 24 yards and a touchdown during his career. He was also a key blocker for Walter Reyes, who finished his career with the most rushing touchdowns at SU and second-most rushing yards in school history.

Wide receiver David Tyree is entering his fourth season with the Giants. Tyree was selected to his first Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro honors as a special teams player in 2005. He recorded 21 tackles and one blocked kick in addition to catching five passes for 52 yards and one touchdown. Tyree caught 75 passes 1,214 yards and six touchdowns and returned four punts for 70 yards and one score during his Syracuse career. He also recorded 50 special teams tackles with a forced fumble and five blocked kicks, the second-highest total ever posted by a SU player.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb will begin his eighth season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006. Last season, McNabb threw for 2,507 yards and 16 touchdowns before missing the last seven games with a sports hernia. He ranks third in team history with 2,943 career attempts, 1,718 career completions, 19,433 yards and 134 touchdowns. McNabb owns the highest winning percentage among active starting quarterbacks with at least 80 starts. He has won 60 games versus 28 losses for a winning percentage of 68.2 Brett Favre ranks second, winning 62.9 percent of his games. McNabb has also rushed for 2,514 yards during his career. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and earned All-Pro accolades in 2000. McNabb was named to All-BIG EAST First Team all four years during his Syracuse career. He was also named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998 and shared the honors in 1996. McNabb holds the school record with 77 passing touchdowns, 29 more than the second-highest total. He holds the SU and BIG EAST record with 9,950 career total offense yards and is second in the SU record books with 8,389 passing 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

Related News

Related Videos