Orange Trio Signs as Undrafted Free Agents

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse offensive linemen Koda Martin, Cody Conway and wide receiver Jamal Custis signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams Saturday following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Martin signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Conway agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans and Custis signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Additionally, running back Dontae Strickland accepted an invitation to attend rookie minicamp with the Arizona Cardinals.

Martin and Conway helped power the Orange to a school-record 523 points, including a program-best 38 rushing touchdowns, as bookend tackles for Syracuse in 2018. Custis turned in a breakout senior season, earning invitations to the East-West Shrine Game and NFL Scouting Combine. Strickland finished his career among Syracuse's all-time leaders in receptions by a running back.

Martin joined the Orange as a graduate transfer in 2018 after spending four seasons, including a redshirt year, at Texas A&M. He started all 13 games at right tackle and was named to the All-ACC Third Team. Martin led all Syracuse offensive lineman in snaps (1,111) and was second on the team in knockdown blocks (31.5).

While Martin anchored the right side, Conway held down the left side. He started the final 30 games of his career at left tackle, including all 13 opposite Martin in 2018. Conway logged 1,109 snaps and 30.5 knockdowns blocks last season on his way to All-ACC Honorable Mention plaudits. In his 40-game Syracuse career, Conway played nearly 3,000 snaps and delivered 81.5 knockdown blocks. He was voted to the All-ACC Academic Team in three consecutive seasons (2006-08).

A 2018 All-ACC Second Team choice, Custis led Syracuse with 906 yards on 51 catches and six touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the ACC in receiving yards per game (69.7) and averaged a team-best 17.8 yards per catch. Custis also proved to be a valuable contributor on special teams, making two tackles and recovering a fumble as a gunner on the punt team. In 40 career games for the Orange, Custis had 64 receptions for 1,048 yards and eight scores.

Strickland, who was the 2018 recipient of the program's Ray Martino Award winner for loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance, rushed for 1,717 career yards and 15 touchdowns in 47 games. He was also a receiving threat out of the backfield. Strickland caught 63 passes in his four seasons, the third-most in team history for a player at his position.

Earlier on Saturday, defensive tackle Chris Slayton was drafted with the 31st pick in the seventh round (No. 245 overall) by the New York Giants. Dating back to 1976, the Orange have had at least one player drafted in 41 of the past 44 years.

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Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cody Conway

Jamal Custis

Koda Martin

Chris Slayton

Dontae Strickland

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