Carter, Dogue and Merkerson join the list of former SU student-athletes signed by NFL teams this week
Carter, Hogue & Merkerson Sign NFL Deals
7/30/2011 2:05:35 PM | Football
Syracuse football continues to make National Football League (NFL) headlines as three more former SU student-athletes signed contracts this week. Delone Carter, a fourth round pick in this year's NFL Draft, signed a four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts while the Detroit Lions agreed to terms with fifth round pick Doug Hogue. The Arizona Cardinals also signed Orange cornerback Da'Mon Merkerson as an undrafted free agent.
Carter heads to Indianapolis after finishing his career at SU ranking third on the team's career rushing list with 3,104 yards. The Copley, Ohio native closed with career at Syracuse with an active streak of 242 carries without losing a fumble, which dated back to the 2009 season finale against Connecticut. Carter also ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons with the Orange. He currently sits seventh on SU's career rushing yards per game list (77.6) and career rushing touchdowns (24) while also ranking third in career carries with 646.
Carter set new career bests throughout the 2010 season, highlighted by his 198 rushing yards in the Pinstripe Bowl against Kansas State which earned him game MVP honors. Carter also had a career-long run of 60 yards in the game, which ranks as the third longest rush in SU bowl history.
Hogue joins Detroit ranking ninth on the Orange's career tackles for loss record list with 26.5. Hogue, who moved from running back to linebacker at the beginning of 2009 Spring practice, concluded his career with 167 total tackles (108 solo), three interceptions and three forced fumbles. A 2010 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Hogue ranked seventh in the conference with 7.4 tackles per game and tied for 12th with 0.79 tackles for loss per game. Hogue was one of 13 players to start all 13 games last season, and had a career day at West Virginia after eight solo tackles and two interceptions for 58 yards, which earned him BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Merkerson started all 11 games he played in last season with SU, and was tied for eighth among BIG EAST defenders with 0.64 passes defended per game. The Passaiac, N.J. native intercepted two passes in 2010, and finished the year with 23 tackles. He closed his career at Syracuse with 59 total tackles, including 38 solo efforts.
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