For the second season in a row, a Syracuse defensive back will likely go on the first day. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.

The NFL Draft starts Saturday and continues throughout the weekend. SU’s unquestionable top prospect is defensive back Tanard Jackson, who’s projected to go anywhere from the first round to the third round. The only other Syracuse player likely to be drafted is linebacker Kelvin Smith, who’s been projected anywhere from the fifth round to out of the draft. Punter Brendan Carney, quarterback Perry Patterson, linebacker Jerry Mackey and defensive back Terrell Lemon have outside shots of being selected, although will likely have to find their route to the NFL as undrafted free agents.

Former SU safety Anthony Smith was drafted in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Jackson has the opportunity to surpass his former teammate on Saturday. Syracuse has not produced a first-round pick since Dwight Freeney was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 11th overall pick in 2002. Jackson could break that trend – and the Colts might be the team to do it.

Indianapolis is among several teams searching for a defensive back, especially after two cornerbacks and a safety departed in free agency. The Colts select No. 32, the final pick of the first round. If Jackson were to go in the first round, other possibilities include defensive back-hungry teams late in the first round like the New England Patriots (No. 24 and No. 28), Philadelphia Eagles (No. 26) and San Diego Chargers (No. 30).

Messages to Jackson’s cell phone were not returned.

Jackson told The Daily Orange after the Senior Bowl in February that teams were looking at him at both safety and cornerback. Jackson’s agent, Chicago-based Ken Sarnoff, said the versatility will be an appeal on Saturday.

‘That’s the thing, he can come in right away and play safety, play the nickel back,’ Sarnoff said. ‘Because of the versatility, it adds a lot to the overall player.’

He was moved to safety in the Senior Bowl by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ coaching staff, which includes defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Kiffin worked with SU head coach Greg Robinson on the New York Jets coaching staff in 1990 and at North Carolina State from 1980-82. Kiffin was also the defensive coordinator under Tony Dungy from 1996-2001. Dungy is now the Colts’ head coach.

This is important because the Bucs and the Colts are among the NFL teams that run the ‘Tampa 2’ defense that is becoming increasingly popular around the league. Sarnoff cited Jackson’s Senior Bowl success in that system as an indication of Jackson’s versatility.

What could be working against Jackson – and all Syracuse players, for that matter – is the Orange’s lack of success. SU finished 5-18 in the past two seasons. This year’s class played in just one bowl game – the Champs Sports Bowl in 2004.

Sarnoff, who also counts Carney among his clients, said at this point in the process, NFL teams are picking the player and not the college program.

‘You’re looking at the individual,’ Sarnoff said. ‘Football is a team sport, but the Draft is an individual player. The film doesn’t lie. Tanard was one of the best players. Tanard can’t do anything about the offensive woes.’

The same could be said for Smith, who started four years for the Orange and finished as one of the most productive linebackers in SU history.

‘I don’t think it’s a reflection,’ said Smith’s agent, Montebello, N.Y.-based Neil Schwartz, of SU’s lack of success. ‘You can’t control wins and losses.’

Schwartz wouldn’t provide a draft range for Smith, insisting there are too many rumors and innuendos this time of the year. However, Schwartz did insist he expects Smith ‘to play on Sundays.’

That’s the goal for all SU players. Jackson is the only player who realistically can watch the first three rounds on Saturday expecting to hear his name. Smith will likely hear his name called on Sunday, and his other senior teammates will wait and hope there’s a team that falls in love. If that doesn’t happen, the second draft happens right after the seventh round concludes, when NFL teams start signing undrafted free agents to bring into mini-camp and training camp.

‘I know we’ll have some players selected, and I know we’ll have some players selected as free agents, as well,’ Robinson said. ‘I don’t want to be a forecaster. I don’t know for sure, but I know there’s interest in a number of our players. To what extent, we’ll find out on Saturday and Sunday.’

Published on April 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm