Former Syracuse University defensive end Chandler Jones is the newest Syracuse University representative in the National Football League. The Endicott, N.Y. native was the 21st overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, chosen by the New England Patriots. He is the first Syracuse player to be chosen in the first round since defensive end Dwight Freeney was the 11th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2002.
“Chandler is everything you want a player to be. And, as good as he is on the field, he is an even better person off the field," said Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone. "He comes from a family that did a great job in raising him. He has terrific parents and two outstanding role models in his brothers, Arthur, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens and Jon, the UFC light heavyweight champion. Chandler is a prime example of what we mean when we talk about keeping New York state players in their home state to play at Syracuse.
“Based on my experience in the NFL, I see Chandler developing into a top tier defensive end. I hope he has the same success as (defensive end) Dwight Freeney and all of the Syracuse players in the National Football League.”
The 2011 All-BIG EAST First Team defensive end started all seven games he played, recording 38 tackles, including 4.5 sacks. Against West Virginia, Jones earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording six solo tackles, including two sacks for a loss of 19 yards. At Pittsburgh, he had four solo tackles, including two for a total loss of four yards, and his first career interception, which he returned 32 yards.
Jones joins his older brother, Arthur, a 2010 Syracuse graduate, in the National Football League. A defensive tackle, Arthur is in entering his third season with the Baltimore Ravens. The time New England selected a Syracuse player was in 1998 when the Patriots chose defensive back Tebucky Jones with the 22nd pick in the first round.
Press release provided by SU Athletics
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