Former Orange Among Best NFL Draft Picks Ever

Four former Syracuse University standouts were on CNNSI.com’s list of the NFL’s best draft selections. The website named the best players all-time in each of the first round draft slots. Jim Brown, Art Monk, Marvin Harrison, and Keith Bulluck were each chosen as the best picks in their respective spots. Larry Csonka was mentioned among the best No. 8 overall picks. The four from Syracuse represent the highest total from any school. Miami and Alabama each had three players on the list, while Florida, Penn State and Tennessee each had two. Pittsburgh was the only other BIG EAST school on the list.

Brown, a Syracuse running back from 1954-56, was the sixth pick by the Cleveland Browns in 1957. One of the legendary Syracuse 44’s, Brown was an All-America selection in 1956 after posting school records with 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and setting an NCAA record with 43 points in a game against Colgate. He totaled 2,091 yards and 24 touchdowns in his collegiate career. Brown led the NFL in rushing in eight of his nine seasons and held the NFL records for single-season (1,863) and career (12,312) rushing yards upon his retirement. Brown was also a standout lacrosse player at Syracuse, garnering two All-America honors. He is the only person in the pro football, college football, and lacrosse halls of fame.

Monk, a Syracuse wide receiver from 1976-79, was the 18th pick by the Washington Redskins in 1980. Monk is sixth in Syracuse history in receptions (102) and seventh in receiving yards (1,644). He set the Syracuse school record with 14 receptions against Navy in 1977. Monk is sixth on the NFL’s all-time receiving list with 940 career receptions and 11th with 12,271 receiving yards. In his 16 year NFL career, Monk was a Pro Bowl selection three times and helped the Redskins to two Super Bowl wins.

Harrison, a wide receiver at Syracuse from 1992-95, was the 19th pick by the Colts in 1996. Harrison is Syracuse’s all-time leading receiver with 2,728 yards and is third with 135 career receptions. Harrison holds the Syracuse single-season receiving record with 1,131 yards as a senior in 1995 and has four of the top 10 single-game marks. Harrison just completed his 11th NFL season with his first Super Bowl title. He is fourth on the NFL’s all-time receptions list (1,022), sixth in receiving yards (13,697), and third in receiving touchdowns (122). The eight-time Pro Bowler is the only player in NFL history with four-consecutive 100 reception seasons and has caught double-digit touchdowns in each of the past eight seasons.

Bulluck, a linebacker at Syracuse from 1996-99, was the 30th pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2000. Bulluck is eighth on the Syracuse career tackles list with 375, including 252 solo tackles, the fifth-most in school history. His 375 career tackles rank seventh among Syracuse linebackers. In his seven seasons with the Titans, Bulluck has amassed 77 tackles, 17.5 sacks and 11 interceptions. Bulluck was a Pro Bowl selection in 2003 and has led the Titans in tackles in each of the past five seasons.

Syracuse University Athletics

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