The Syracuse Orange used to be one of the top programs in college football before having a rough patch throughout the 2000s. Now with new head coach Fran Brown, the Orange seem to be trending up once more.
With a program that has been around as long as the Orange have, many good players have come and gone. These are the ten best players in Syracuse football history.
10 Best Players in Syracuse Football History
1) Jim Brown, RB, 1954-1956
Jim Brown was the man who made the number 44 in Syracuse famous. He ran 2,091 yards in his three-year career and 19 touchdowns. He’s also the player who recruited Ernie Davis to come to Syracuse. Brown is the most iconic player on this list and will forever be number one on any all-time Syracuse list.
2) Ernie Davis, RB, 1959-1961
Ernie Davis was the second player to wear the number 44 for Syracuse. He played for three seasons running for 2,386 yards and 20 touchdowns. Davis one the Heisman in 1961 and is one of two Orange players to ever do so. Davis also became the first black recipient of the award.
3) Floyd Little, RB, 1964-1966
This is the last of the big three. Syracuse has had three running backs wear the famous number 44 in program history, and Little was the third to do so. In his three-year career, Little ran for 2704 yards and 35 touchdowns.
4) Tim Green, DE, 1982-1985
Tim Green is the best defensive player in Syracuse football history. He has the Syracuse sack record, finishing his career with 45.5. He was a two-time All-American and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
5) Donovan McNabb, QB, 1995-1998
Donovan McNabb is the most prolific quarterback in Syracuse history. In his four-year career, he threw for 8,389 yards and an Orange record of 77 touchdowns and led Syracuse to a 35-14 record during his time as a starter. He was fifth in Heisman voting in 1998 and was an All-American that season, too.
6) Larry Csonka, RB, 1965-1967
Larry Csonka’s career overlapped with Floyd Little, but the two of them put on a show together. In his three-year career, Csonka ran for 2,934 yards and 19 touchdowns, finishing fourth in Heisman voting in 1967.
7) Dwight Freeney, DE,1998-2001
Dwight Freeney was an elite pass rusher for Syracuse, racking up 104 tackles and 34 sacks in his time with the Orange. He was an All-American in his senior season, finishing ninth in Heisman voting. Freeney was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
8) Don McPherson, QB, 1984-1987
Don McPherson is synonymous with Syracuse. While there are quarterbacks with better statistics, Don is truly one of the greatest. He threw for 5,812 yards in his four years for Syracuse and 46 touchdowns, coming in second for Heisman voting in 1987.
9) Marvin Harrison, WR, 1992-1995
Marvin Harrison is the best wide receiver in school history. In his four-year career, he had 2,728 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He was an All-American in 1995.
KEEP READING: Syracuse Football Top 10 Returning Players
10) John Mackey, TE, 1960-1962
John Mackey was one of the first great college tight ends. His career at Syracuse is so iconic that the best tight end in college football every year is awarded the Mackey Award. While he didn’t have amazing college statistics, his legacy is the reason he makes this list.
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