Three SU Standouts Invited to NFL Combine

Punter Brendan Carney, cornerback Tanard Jackson and linebacker Kelvin Smith all made a name for themselves while competing at Syracuse. The trio is now attempting to translate their collegiate success to the professional ranks, beginning with the NFL Combine.

The three Syracuse standouts concluded their collegiate careers during the 2006 season and are invited to participate in the NFL combine, which begins February 21 in Indianapolis. About 320 college players will attempt to impress scouts, coaches and general managers from every NFL team by scoring well on a battery of physical tests, most of which, interestingly enough, do not involve a football.

A 2006 co-captain, Carney is the Syracuse career leader in number of punts (271) and punting yards (11,534), is second on the Syracuse career punting average record list (42.6 yards per punt). He finished 2006 season second among active punters in the NCAA in punting yards, third in punts and 15th in punting average. Carney’s 2006 performance ranks among the best in Syracuse history. His 42.0 yards per punt ranks 13th on the single-season record list, while his 3,021 punting yards and his 72 punts rank third. He finished the season third in the BIG EAST and 27th in the nation with a 42.0 yard per punt average. In addition, Syracuse ranked 32nd in the NCAA in kickoff return yardage defense (19.1 yards per kickoff return) with Carney as the kickoff man. He earned the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week against Connecticut and was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll for his performance against Iowa. Carney was a 2005 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, and earned second-team All-BIG EAST honors as a freshman and sophomore.

A four-year starter, Smith earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors in 2006. During his career, Smith recorded 320 tackles, including 191 solo, six sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2006, the team co-captain was second in the BIG EAST and tied for 13th nationally in tackles per game. He also had two and a half sacks, four and a half tackles for a loss of yards, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked kick. Smith’s 20.5 tackles for a loss of yards ranks 11th on the Syracuse record list.

An All-BIG EAST Second Team performer, Jackson posted 57 tackles, including 45 solo stops, six passes defended, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his final season with Syracuse. Jackson became the 51st SU player to play in the Senior Bowl, recording two tackles.

Syracuse University Athletics

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