The Orange haven't had a first-round selection in more than a decade, and that trend continued on Thursday night.
Coming off a 3-9 season in 2025, it was always going to happen, but it was made official on Thursday night.
The Syracuse University football program failed to produce a first-round draft pick for the 13th consecutive year. The first round was held on Thursday, with rounds 2-3 to come on Friday and rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
The Orange will hope to produce some draft picks in those rounds, which they have done over the last few years.
Syracuse players drafted in last five years
2025: TE Oronde Gadsden II (Los Angeles Chargers, fifth round)
2025: QB Kyle McCord (Philadelphia Eagles, sixth round)
2025: RB LeQuint Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars, seventh round)
2025: DE Fadil Diggs (New Orleans Saints, seventh round)
2023: OL Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons, second round)
2023: DB Garrett Williams (Arizona Cardinals, third round)
2021: DB Andre Cisco (Jacksonville Jaguars, third round)
2021: DB Ifeatu Melinfonwu (Detroit Lions, third round)
Who was last first-round pick from Syracuse?
Tackle Justin Pugh was selected by the New York Giants in the first round in 2013. The 35-year-old Pugh spent 11 years in the NFL with the Giants and Cardinals, helping both teams get to the playoffs (2016 Giants, 2021 Cardinals).
With the Orange, he was a member of the All-Big East First Team as a senior. He started 34 games in the program and helped block for a 1,000-yard rusher in three different years.
He was taken No. 19 overall by New York.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Justin Pugh (67) against the Washington Football Team at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThe task ahead of current head coach Fran Brown
Being a successful college coach isn't solely about creating first-round draft picks, or even NFL Draft picks period. That said, Brown wants to bring as many good players into his program as he can, and the more good players you have, the better chances you have of them getting drafted.
After a 3-9 season in 2025, the Orange have more optimism in 2026. Quarterback Steve Angeli should be healthy after tearing his Achilles in September of 2025 and the team has secured several interesting players from the transfer portal. Perhaps some of those players will become the next batch of Orange players to suit up in the NFL on Sunday's.
As for the rest of this draft
Tight end Dan Villari, defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. and punter Jack Stonehouse could all be drafted.
Stonehouse was the only Syracuse player that was invited to this year's NFL Combine.
Syracuse Orange tight end Dan Villari (89) runs against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Rich Barnes-Imagn ImagesJoin the Conversation
Remember to join our SYRACUSE on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Orange fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!