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

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.