Syracuse Football: Dorian Graham, Chandler Jones, Shamarko Thomas May Test NFL Draft Waters

by Sean Keeley on Dec 9, 2011 6:24 PM EST

Update: For his part, Chandler Jones is telling folks "Don't read the media...They're not always accurate!" So there's that. Meanwhile, Dorian Graham would prefer it if you got off his back. Or pay him. One or the other.

Original: Hey Syracuse Orange fan, how's your Friday going? Good? Having a nice day? Well let me ruin that for you.

Dorian Graham, Chandler Jones and #SHAMARKO Thomas all have a year of eligibility remaining with Syracuse but all three are going to test NFL draft waters in the coming months according to Dave Rahme.

It sounds like Graham is the one sure-fire player to leave early.

A source close to the team said true senior Dorian Graham (24 receptions for 260 yards and two TDs) will forego his final year of eligibility and try his luck in the NFL draft.

Meanwhile, Rahme says that Jones and Thomas have expressed interest in finding out how they would stack up in the 2012 draft class.

There is somewhat good news here. Even if they throw their names in the hat, all three players can withdraw from consideration and return to the team as long as they do not sign with an agent.

However, if all three do indeed leave, those are some serious blows to the 2012 Orange. Already losing Phillip Thomas early, the Syracuse defense will have basically lost it's three best returning players. As for Graham, his speed and development would come in very handy next year since we're losing Van Chew and don't know about Marcus Sales yet.

Anyway, I'd say you can start crying now but that would assume you weren't already.

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Sound effects implied....

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

by StealthTurkey on Dec 9, 2011 6:29 PM EST reply actions

I remember that episode, sounded like a siren going off

You keep chanting one more year, I thought college was four years

by PointBlankPeriodPeriod on Dec 9, 2011 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

Kobena

Wonder if this opens things up for Jeremiah Kobena next year. He is a bit of a project, but I love the potential of a deep threat with his speed at WR

by 5 1 on Dec 9, 2011 6:32 PM EST reply actions

All three better look hard

The only one that has the body is Chandler Jones. Thomas is fun to watch. But a NFL running back or tight end would kill him for being in the play. Dorian Graham is intereting but requires more time in my opinion. Jones though…he might could go.

by jonvi on Dec 9, 2011 6:32 PM EST reply actions

Shamarko I see as a bob sanders type player, but hopefully without all the injuries

Dorian Graham must be getting some bad advice.

his best game was vs WVU and since then it was nothing but dropped passes.

If he is scared to get hit going over the middle in the big east, does he stand a chance in the nfl with the likes of suggs, harrison, lewis and polamalu?

You keep chanting one more year, I thought college was four years

by PointBlankPeriodPeriod on Dec 9, 2011 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

I still don't see that much out of Jones....

they say he’s fast, but maybe they’re timing him when he’s running to the dinner table, cuz I ain’t seen it in a game…. at least, not high-rounds in the NFL darft type speed… good luck with that, dude!

by OrangeNutz on Dec 9, 2011 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously?

http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/

by Lots of Pulp on Dec 12, 2011 7:24 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. He's very fast

by sarahqs on Dec 14, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

stupid

I don’t think any of them are ready for the NFL yet. It would be the fastest way for them to fall into obscurity.

If they do, it would’ve been nice for them to mention this before DM revoked scholarship offers, because now we’ll have a few more available, but fewer prospects to recruit.

by Derek on Dec 9, 2011 6:50 PM EST reply actions

Nothing wrong with testing the waters to find out where you stand

I wouldn’t blame Chandler for leaving early, especially after what happened to his brother when he decided to stick around for his final year of eligibility. But God I hope he stays.

Dorian and Shamarko are head scratchers to me. I love watching them play but I just can’t figure out where they’d fit in the NFL right now.

by bloodyyank44 on Dec 9, 2011 7:15 PM EST reply actions

Honestly

Practice squad for those two? Maybe? I’m not trying to be mean, but I’m at a loss here.

by bloodyyank44 on Dec 9, 2011 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

Chandler

is the only one I would think would have a chance at being drafted, and probably more to do with his family than his past results. Of course I haven’t heard a lot on how Arthur is doing.

And with his injury history I could see him thinking that he wants to get to the league before he injures himself too much to play there.

Without Gerry McNamara we wouldn't have won 10 f-- games, not 10

by PoetryInMoten on Dec 9, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Graham is dumb.

He can come back and prove he is a legit WR or he can go pro, get drafted late ( prob not) or sign as a free agent ( someone will sign him for sure) and be another Tyree …. minus ‘The Catch’.

by NoXCUSE99 on Dec 9, 2011 7:20 PM EST reply actions

I know they all say this

but Chandler has been saying all year that he’s staying and he keeps shooting everyone down on Twitter about it. And Art was a better college player at this point and he stayed and I think a lot of it has to do with their upbringing and how much they value education.

I mean, he could go but I’d be very surprised.

"We don't lose hat and t-shirt games" - Tedy Bruschi

by chrisbee13 on Dec 9, 2011 8:23 PM EST reply actions

See you boys in fall camp

I chuckle at these guys thinking they’ll go pro. Enjoy college. Live the life for another year.

by RockLloyd on Dec 9, 2011 8:52 PM EST reply actions

Drink beer, tag chicks, play football ..... why bother with the real world?

by NoXCUSE99 on Dec 9, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

Knowing what most of us know

I’d trade right now for being a senior on football team walking around campus. Like you said beer, chicks, and balling (in no particular order). It’s the best time of their lives and they want to cut it short. Wish I could explain it to them.

by RockLloyd on Dec 10, 2011 8:13 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah but (big) if you get drafted

You could make hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. You can buy lots of beer (and probably chicks) and ball on the biggest stage in the world.

I don’t think they should go, because only Chandler has a chance to get drafted (and not first round, for sure). But it’s not because college is so great. The NFL is pretty great too if you’re a top player. That’s what they should be striving for.

http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/

by Lots of Pulp on Dec 12, 2011 7:27 AM EST up reply actions

Graham

I think could potentially make a team as a special teams gunner.

by Piety Hill on Dec 9, 2011 10:34 PM EST reply actions

Marrone must have really pissed in these guys corn flakes this year

Something is up.

by lemonysnicket9 on Dec 10, 2011 9:53 AM EST reply actions

yeah from the sounds of it on the rivals site Dorian is leaving regardless. not happy with things with the team this year.

something about the coaches and what not. I am worried this could be a tipping point and a quick ride to the end of the Marrone era. Sounds like a lot of unhappy players on the team and I am sure that isn’t good as far as recruiting. If they voice their displeasure to the recruits this weekend we could see some de commits and some real trouble. Lord I hope I am wrong.

by 311Hev on Dec 10, 2011 11:45 AM EST reply actions

Isn't Graham a Grob recruit??

and, I haven’t met a WR yet that doesn’t think he’s better than he is and should get the ball more…. seems to me, he’s just a delayed defector that didn’t leave when Marrone took over… good riddance!!

by OrangeNutz on Dec 11, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

someone

in Dorian Graham’s camp is filling his head with some crazy shit. he probably had half as many drops as receptions this season. and many many more drops than touchdowns. sure, he is fast, but he borders on terrible as a pass catcher, isn’t an exceptional return man, and if he was a good defensive back they wouldn’t have moved him over to offense. dude is dreaming.

My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable.

by 361Orange on Dec 10, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions

I see Graham's stock

being much higher next year assuming he works on his hands. He looked like future NFLer against WVU but, well, that was it.

If you're going to be stupid, you're going to have to be tough

by FatK44 on Dec 10, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I am not getting the feeling that it is strictly about him thinking he is better than he is. I get the feeling he is ok to leave with his degree no matter if he plays another snap or not just due to some unrest with the program.

That is why I am nervous that there could be something going on that could be another huge set back for the football program. I hope not but just looks like there is something funky going on.

by 311Hev on Dec 10, 2011 4:53 PM EST reply actions

Everyone take a deep breath

1. Let’s not rip on these players too much, because they may still be on the team next year, at which point we’ll all love them again. Don’t make it weird, guys.

2. Let’s not freak out that Marrone is some terrible coach and everyone is jumping ship. This was a bad season, so it would be natural for any players under any system to at least entertain the idea of leaving. Doesn’t mean the program is in shambles. Just a speed bump.

3. Unless I’m missing something, none of these guys are going 1st round, so let’s hope clearer heads prevail. They could all benefit from another year of seasoning, and improve their draft stock.

4. If they choose to leave to make it in the NFL, I wish them the best of luck. All three played hard and did their jobs in their respective roles. You have to do what’s in your best interest, and if this is what you deem your best interest is, then go for it.

http://cusepulp.blogspot.com/

by Lots of Pulp on Dec 12, 2011 7:31 AM EST reply actions