New York Jets invite former Syracuse DB Jordan Martin to rookie minicamp

About a week after the NFL Draft, we’ve learned the fate of the final former Syracuse Orange football player contending for a pro career.

Graduate transfer Jordan Martin will be attending the New York Jets’ rookie minicamp, which began this past Friday, May 4. The former SU safety is one of 44 players to get an invite from the Jets, who will also host the team’s six draft picks and seven undrafted free agents as part of initial tryouts for 2018.

Martin recorded 26 tackles and a forced fumble, while defending three passes during an impressive stretch to start the Orange’s first seven games (including the upset victory over Clemson). He was a large part of the defense’s early resurgence last year, and his absence later on precipitated the team’s backslide while losing its final five games.

Before arriving at Syracuse, Martin played for the Toledo Rockets. Over the course of three seasons (he missed all of 2015), he recorded 74 tackles, one interception and 4.5 tackles for loss. Going into the NFL Draft this year, there was a thought he’d be a long-shot to be drafted, however that didn’t occur (obviously).

Martin becomes the seventh former Orange player to get an opportunity to make a pro football roster this summer. Zaire Franklin was a seventh-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, and Steve Ishmael also signed with Indy as an undrafted free agent. Parris Bennett signed with the Green Bay Packers, and the San Francisco 49ers signed Jamar McGloster. Ervin Philips will get a shot to make the roster for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.

Additionally, Devin M. Butler signed with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.