DB Duo Selected in Round 3 of NFL Draft
4/30/2021 9:57:00 PM | Football
Cisco to Jaguars; Melifonwu to Lions
Syracuse defensive backs Andre Cisco (65th) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (101st) were selected in the third round of the NFL Draft, marking the first time Syracuse has had multiple players taken in the first-three rounds of the draft since 2001.
Cisco was taken with the first pick of the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The ball-hawk safety is the Orange's earliest draft pick since Justin Pugh was selected 19th overall in 2014. Cisco was 'Cuse's 200th draft pick overall. Melifonwu was selected by the Detroit Lions later in the round.
The selections highlight continued upward trajectory in talent under head coach Dino Babers. It's the fourth-straight season a Syracuse player has been selected under head coach Babers, second year in a row Syracuse has multiple draft picks and marks the 43rd time in the last-46 years that Syracuse has had at least one player drafted.
Cisco spent three seasons at Syracuse, declaring for the draft during his junior season after suffering a season-ending injury. At that time, he was the FBS' active leader in interceptions (13) and led the ACC in interceptions in both his first two seasons at Syracuse. In 24 games (21 starts) he had 13 picks and 16 pass breakups.
An immediate impact player as a rookie in 2018, Cisco tied for the NCAA lead in interceptions (7) and was the first freshman in program history to earn All-America honors. A two-time All-ACC selection, Cisco was the 2018 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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Melifonwu was an All-ACC corner this season and concluded his Orange career after his redshirt-junior season with three interceptions and 23 pass breakups. A December graduate, Melifonwu led a cornerback duo that was rated as the seventh-best duo nationally by Pro Football Focus this season.
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A 2021 Senior Bowl participant, Melifonwu was fifth in the ACC in pass breakups this season and was third in the league among corners with 5.0 tackles per game.
Check back to Cuse.com for continued draft coverage over the weekend as additional Orange players are expected to be selected.
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Cisco was taken with the first pick of the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The ball-hawk safety is the Orange's earliest draft pick since Justin Pugh was selected 19th overall in 2014. Cisco was 'Cuse's 200th draft pick overall. Melifonwu was selected by the Detroit Lions later in the round.
The selections highlight continued upward trajectory in talent under head coach Dino Babers. It's the fourth-straight season a Syracuse player has been selected under head coach Babers, second year in a row Syracuse has multiple draft picks and marks the 43rd time in the last-46 years that Syracuse has had at least one player drafted.
Cisco spent three seasons at Syracuse, declaring for the draft during his junior season after suffering a season-ending injury. At that time, he was the FBS' active leader in interceptions (13) and led the ACC in interceptions in both his first two seasons at Syracuse. In 24 games (21 starts) he had 13 picks and 16 pass breakups.
An immediate impact player as a rookie in 2018, Cisco tied for the NCAA lead in interceptions (7) and was the first freshman in program history to earn All-America honors. A two-time All-ACC selection, Cisco was the 2018 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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LET'S GO @andrecisco7
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) May 1, 2021
With the first pick in the third round, Jacksonville takes Cisco off the board. #DUUUVAL has a good one coming. pic.twitter.com/bQZrhkbiiE
Melifonwu was an All-ACC corner this season and concluded his Orange career after his redshirt-junior season with three interceptions and 23 pass breakups. A December graduate, Melifonwu led a cornerback duo that was rated as the seventh-best duo nationally by Pro Football Focus this season.
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CONGRATS @Ifeatu_Mel!
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) May 1, 2021
With the 101st pick in the draft, the @Lions have taken Iffy off the board!
Detroit, you've got a good one coming! pic.twitter.com/xSLXnbrJiD
A 2021 Senior Bowl participant, Melifonwu was fifth in the ACC in pass breakups this season and was third in the league among corners with 5.0 tackles per game.
Check back to Cuse.com for continued draft coverage over the weekend as additional Orange players are expected to be selected.
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