Indianapolis Colts sign Syracuse WR Steve Ishmael as free agent

While Zaire Franklin was the lone Syracuse Orange player drafted, plenty more will have a chance to make an NFL roster. That list starts with record-setting wide receiver Steve Ishmael.

After years waiting in the wings, Ishmael exploded as a senior at SU. Ishmael had 105 catches (the first 100-catch season in Orange history) for 1,347 yards and seven scores last year. He earned All-American honors from nearly everybody as a result of the stellar season — the second straight year Syracuse had an All-American wideout (Amba Etta-Tawo was honored in 2016 as well).

Despite thoughts that he could have been selected in the 2018 NFL Draft -- he was pretty impressive over the course of his career, after all — he wasn’t picked. However, he’ll still get a shot with the Indianapolis Colts, who picked fellow SU senior Franklin in the seventh round. Ian Rapoport was first to report the signing on Saturday.

Having the two seniors leaders for Syracuse both trying to make the Colts’ roster should make for an interesting summer following Indianapolis for Orange fans. Indy picked Northern Iowa’s Daurice Fountain and Clemson’s Deon Cain as receivers in the draft this year. The team also has 11 additional players on the roster at the receiver position.

Congrats to Steve, and good luck with the Colts. If Andrew Luck is able to come back, it could present a great opportunity for him to learn from a Pro Bowl quarterback. He’ll hopefully follow in the footsteps of former Indianapolis and Syracuse star Marvin Harrison, who ended up in the Hall of Fame after a record-setting career.