Orange defensive tackle Arthur Jones is the newest member of the Syracuse football family to become part of the National Football League. The Endicott, NY native was the 157th selection of the 2010 NFL Draft (fifth round) and will join former Orange defensive end Jameel McClain on the Baltimore Ravens roster. This year's edition of the NFL Draft has a very strong Orange flavor with the selection of Jones, the guest appearances by SU legends Jim Brown and Floyd Little to announce draft selections for their former teams, the Browns and Broncos, respectively, and the selection of the son of Syracuse alumnus Gordy Gronkowski, Rob, in the second round by the New England Patriots.
Jones is the first SU defensive tackle to be selected in the draft since 2001 when the Kansas City Chiefs picked Eric Downing in the third round. Jones, who set the record for the most career tackles for a loss by an interior defensive lineman with 38.5, is the 12th former Syracuse standout to play for the Ravens.
A four-year letterwinner, Jones is a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree who earned 2009 third-team All-America honors after recording 19 tackles, including 12 solo and seven for a loss of yards. He also had 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in an injury-shortened season. The 2009 team co-captain missed SU’s final three games due to a knee injury suffered at Pittsburgh. His 145 career tackles ties for 10th on the Syracuse record list for tackles by a down lineman.
The Ravens finished second in the AFC North in 2009 and advanced to the AFC Divisional playoff game against Indianapolis.\
Courtesy: SU Athletics
