Five NFL Playoff Squads Feature Former 'Cuse Players
1/14/2023 4:08:00 PM | Football
Five 'Cuse alumni still have a shot at a Super Bowl ring as the NFL heads into the playoffs this weekend.
Jaguars' starting safety Andre Cisco headlines the participants in Super Wildcard Weekend as the lone healthy starter. He's developing into one of the league's top safeties in his second season in the NFL. He notched 73 tackles, three interceptions, a sack and a touchdown this season.
Trill Williams (Dolphins) has been sidelined for the duration of the season following an injury he suffered in training camp. Alton Robinson (Seahawks) joined him on IR late in the season, He had five sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, 44 total tackles and a pair of forced fumbles this season, before an injury ended his year.
Kingsley Jonathan is on the Bills roster after being signed from the Bears earlier this season. He's been active six weeks this season and has five tackles through his rookie season. He's on the practice squad this week. Trishton Jackson (Vikings) is also on the practice squad this week. He's in his third season in the NFL.
Orange in the NFL Schedule:
Seahawks at 49ers – Sat., 4:30 p.m.
Chargers at Jaguars – Sat., 8:15 p.m.
Dolphins at Bills – Sun., 1 p.m.
Giants at Vikings – Sun., 4:30 p.m.
'Cuse also saw some standout performances from its players who didn't make the playoffs, including a record-breaking season from linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Franklin, who serves as a team captain for the Indianapolis Colts, set a new franchise record for tackles. His 167 tackles were four more than the previous record holder and are fourth in the NFL this season. He finished his fifth season with the Colts tallying, 167 total tackles (102 solo), 12.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six quarterback hits, six passes defensed and three forced fumbles. He's currently selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
Another defensive star is Chandler Jones, whose game-winning pick six on a thwarted lateral play against the Patriots is certainly one of the most memorable plays this year. He tallied another 4.5 sacks with the Raiders this season, moving him into a tie for 37th on the NFL's all-time list. He'll start the 2023 campaign no worse than third among active players after J.J. Watt announced his retirement. Only Von Miller (123.5) and Cameron Jordan (115.5) have more than Jones' 112.0 among active players. Miller and Jordan each have one more season in the league under their belt as well (12) than Jones' 11.
Justin Pugh entered the league one year later than Jones, unfortunately his 10th NFL season was derailed by a season-ending injury in October. Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions) and Riley Dixon (Rams) each spent the duration of the year on active rosters as well. Nolan Cooney (Cardinals), Chris Slayton (Packers) and Koda Martin (Saints) are all currently on the practice squads of their respective teams.
Another Orange professional highlight was Dwight Freeney being named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It'll be determined in February if he'll make the cut to be enshrined in his first season. He ranks 18th all-time in sacks at the professional level.
Jaguars' starting safety Andre Cisco headlines the participants in Super Wildcard Weekend as the lone healthy starter. He's developing into one of the league's top safeties in his second season in the NFL. He notched 73 tackles, three interceptions, a sack and a touchdown this season.
Trill Williams (Dolphins) has been sidelined for the duration of the season following an injury he suffered in training camp. Alton Robinson (Seahawks) joined him on IR late in the season, He had five sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, 44 total tackles and a pair of forced fumbles this season, before an injury ended his year.
Kingsley Jonathan is on the Bills roster after being signed from the Bears earlier this season. He's been active six weeks this season and has five tackles through his rookie season. He's on the practice squad this week. Trishton Jackson (Vikings) is also on the practice squad this week. He's in his third season in the NFL.
Orange in the NFL Schedule:
Seahawks at 49ers – Sat., 4:30 p.m.
Chargers at Jaguars – Sat., 8:15 p.m.
Dolphins at Bills – Sun., 1 p.m.
Giants at Vikings – Sun., 4:30 p.m.
'Cuse also saw some standout performances from its players who didn't make the playoffs, including a record-breaking season from linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Franklin, who serves as a team captain for the Indianapolis Colts, set a new franchise record for tackles. His 167 tackles were four more than the previous record holder and are fourth in the NFL this season. He finished his fifth season with the Colts tallying, 167 total tackles (102 solo), 12.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six quarterback hits, six passes defensed and three forced fumbles. He's currently selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
Year 5✅
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) January 10, 2023
Appreciate the highs & lows that come with the game! Bigger and better next year in every way. Believe that ‼️ #ForTheShoe #ColtsNation pic.twitter.com/Kq9Xd5XXxN
Another defensive star is Chandler Jones, whose game-winning pick six on a thwarted lateral play against the Patriots is certainly one of the most memorable plays this year. He tallied another 4.5 sacks with the Raiders this season, moving him into a tie for 37th on the NFL's all-time list. He'll start the 2023 campaign no worse than third among active players after J.J. Watt announced his retirement. Only Von Miller (123.5) and Cameron Jordan (115.5) have more than Jones' 112.0 among active players. Miller and Jordan each have one more season in the league under their belt as well (12) than Jones' 11.
.@chanjones55 walk off!!! 🍊
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 19, 2022
pic.twitter.com/BkcprFoOF5
Justin Pugh entered the league one year later than Jones, unfortunately his 10th NFL season was derailed by a season-ending injury in October. Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions) and Riley Dixon (Rams) each spent the duration of the year on active rosters as well. Nolan Cooney (Cardinals), Chris Slayton (Packers) and Koda Martin (Saints) are all currently on the practice squads of their respective teams.
Another Orange professional highlight was Dwight Freeney being named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It'll be determined in February if he'll make the cut to be enshrined in his first season. He ranks 18th all-time in sacks at the professional level.
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Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference vs. Duke
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