Syracuse DE Chandler Jones Will Enter NFL Draft, Forgo Senior Year

by Sean Keeley on Dec 30, 2011 3:32 PM EST

As rumored, Syracuse Orange defensive end Chandler Jones will attempt to join his brother Arthur Jones in the NFL when he forgoes his senior season and enters the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jones made the announcement via Facebook and Twitter on Friday.

While Jones is coming off his worst statistical season of the three he spent in Orange, he still has the potential and ability to get drafted. According to SI.com's NFL Draft Analyst Tony Pauline, Jones received a third-round grade from the draft advisory committee, which is pretty solid for a guy with 39 tackles this season.

Chandler also spent a good chunk of the season on the sidelines with an injury. With the Orange defense looking shaky in 2012, the impending departures of Mikhail Marinovich, Phillip Thomas and #SHAMARKO Thomas and the threat of further injury a possibility, it all adds up to a logical, personal decision.

He likely also probably remembers what happened when his brother Art decided to return for his senior season and saw injury hamper his draft stock.

Injuries aside, Jones' stats were solid when he was there. In seven games he posted 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and the best Syracuse interception of the year.

He was also named to the Big East First-Team this season and Big East Second-Team last year.

It goes without saying this is a crushing blow to the 2012 Syracuse defense. Jones would have been the anchor and almost certainly a team captain. Now the Orange are left to replace two veteran defensive ends as well as two solid safeties. It's going to be a scary spring.

However, Chandler has to do what's best for Chandler and we wish him well and look forward to watching him on Sundays. Who knows, maybe he'll end up in Baltimore with his brother.

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Comments

Like I muttered yesterday -

- oh, shit. Shit. SHIT!
We can only hope that the inside linebackers continue to develop and somehow we find some guys that can cover the outside and down the field.

That said, good football programs can absorb this type of loss. Are we there yet?

by offthedome on Dec 30, 2011 3:44 PM EST reply actions

I.....think you know the answer to your question

by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Dec 30, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

That's why I didn't answer it. Aargh.

by offthedome on Dec 30, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

:(

We’ll miss you!

Born in '87, Orange fan since '86
I guess I made a twitter, follow @StealthTurkey

by StealthTurkey on Dec 30, 2011 3:47 PM EST reply actions

abelsmarket

Good luck Chandler. Another Orange in the NFL is good for the program.

by abelsmarket on Dec 30, 2011 3:47 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Can't blame him

Go to the NFL and make some money or stay in college and be double teamed all next year? This sucks for our defense that is already aching but I hope the best for him

I use the Shake Weight while wearing my Snuggie

by FuzzySquirrel on Dec 30, 2011 3:55 PM EST reply actions

I get even sadder...

…that exactly a year ago at this time I was at Yankee Stadium, sipping smuggled rum and cokes, and having the time of my life. Damn it.

by offthedome on Dec 30, 2011 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Gah!

I want to be confident in this team next year, but the defense is going to again be a huge question mark now. I’m guessing Sharpe and Robinson are our assumed starters at DE at this point. I can’t remember off the top of my head, but do we have any redshirts or incoming freshman who could make an impact at DE?

Clear eyes, full bologna sandwiches!

by NOLACuse on Dec 30, 2011 4:15 PM EST reply actions