Find out the story Paul Harris shared about almost playing professional football following his career at Syracuse.
The Syracuse football team is off to a 1-1 start after two games this summer. The Orange are hoping to get back to a winning record when they travel to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ET).
Earlier this week, Syracuse football and basketball fans found out via social media that one popular former Orange basketball player was offered a spot on the football team - and was offered a chance to pursue it professionally.
Paul Harris offered NFL combine invite
In a recent social media post by the former hooper, Harris shared this story:
"Fun Fact, In college they wanted me me to play football at Syracuse and I even got invited to the NFL combine...I turned that down I hoop!. You could've told me I'd get drafted to the NFL and I still would have said "NEVER! I DON'T WANT IT I loved basketball too much"
The Paul Harris File
A highly-touted recruit from Niagara Falls, N.Y., Harris's athletic build and size does match that of an NFL player. Harris was listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds during his playing career for the Orange. The forward was known for excellent vertical leap and dunking ability.
Harris was a three-year player under former head coach Jim Boeheim, which included him getting All-BIG East accolades. Following his final season in Syracuse, Harris spent the next decade playing professionally, including stints in the NBA's G-League along with international leagues in Turkey, France and the Philippines.
Athletes who played football and basketball at Syracuse
If Harris had decided to play football, he would have joined a small group of athletes who had done both during their time in Central New York.
Vic Hanson-The most successful athlete to accomplish the feat, Hanson is the only athlete to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Hanson played in the 1920s and was a three-time All-American in both sports.
Jim Brown-Brown, in his two seasons with the basketball team, averaged over 13 points per game.
Brown is considered one of the greatest football players of all-time. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971
Donovan McNabb-McNabb walked on to the basketball team for two seasons and was a part of the 1996 Final Four team. McNabb played in 18 games over two seasons, averaging more than two points per game. McNabb's primary sport was football, where he was a two-time All BIG East conference selection and helped lead the group to conference titles.
McNabb went on to have a decorated NFL career playing for over 10 seasons in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders.
Calvin Russell III-The most recent example is freshman Calvin Russell III. Russell saw action for the Orange basketball team during the 2025-26 season (one game). The five-star football prospect has yet to make his debut on the gridiron as he is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon injury suffered in March. He's expected to be back in early October.
Syracuse basketball recent updates
--As our Brady Farkas wrote on Tuesday, Orange basketball fans may need to getting concerned about the status of transfer Garwey Dual. The debut of the exciting transfer could be delayed because of injury.
--The complete ACC schedule has been released. Find out our four takeaways from the upcoming conference schedule.
--Plus, find out why one national media outlet has snubbed Syracuse basketball for coverage this upcoming season.
