SYRACUSE -- We're over a quarter-of-the-way-through and this countdown is approaching the top 15. Before we get there we feature one of the best ever to play for SU women's lacrosse, and our only sibling-tandem on our list.

 

 

17. Chandler Jones – Syracuse Football (2008-11)

There’s not many things Greg Robinson got right during his time with the SU football program. One thing he can definitely lay claim to though is that he recruited the heck out of the Jones Family.

First big brother Arthur dominated on The Hill before getting drafted to the NFL in 2010. That same year his youngest brother started to find his footing on the field. Chandler’s stats at SU don’t necessarily jump out at you. Chan-man only played in 32 games during his time at Syracuse. 4.5 sacks his senior season are a career high for the Union-Endicott product. Even though Jones hadn’t found his sacking prowess just yet, he was effective on the field. Chandler is 9th all-time at SU for tackles by a down lineman, and his five forced fumbles are tied for 7th in program history.

You can argue that a player as talented as Chandler, on a team that lacked talent, was able to still have an affect on the game despite getting a considerable amount of attention from the opposing team.

The youngest Jones brother also received a ton of attention from NFL. Chandler left with one season of eligibility left and became a first round pick of the New England Patriots. It was the 19th time an Orange was selected in the first round, and the first since Dwight Freeney was taken by the Colts in 2002.

Since then, Chan-man has become arguably the best pass-rusher in the entire NFL, becoming a 2x All-Pro, 3x Pro-Bowler and a Super Bowl Champion. That kind of resume you can’t ignore. It’s enough to get him on this list, but perhaps if he had done more, or the team had won more, Chandler Jones’ name would appear higher on this list.

Jones’ Resume

  • 2-Time All-Big East Selection
  • Steele All-Big East Selection in 2009
  • Steele All-Freshman 2nd Team in 2009
  • 9th All-Time in Program History for Tackles by a Down Lineman
  • 5 Forced Fumbles at Syracuse (T-7th All-Time at SU)
  • 1st Rd Pick in 2012 NFL Dra-ft (21st Overall – NE Patriots)
  • Two-Time All-Pro
  • Three-Time Pro Bowl Selection
  • Led NFL in Sacks in 2017
  • Super Bowl XLIX Champion

 

 

No. 16 Katie Rowan Profile – SU Women’s Lacrosse (2006-09)

It was never a question of if she’d make the cut but it’s somewhat curious that she’s not higher on the list.  

After all, Rowan left Syracuse in 2009 as the program’s all-time leading scorer and ranks second in assists.  She also holds school records for points in a game (13) and assists in a game (8).  Rowan was also a three-time IWLCA First Team All-American and a four-time selection to the All-Big East first team.

But therein lies a clue as to why Katie didn’t end up higher on our list.  She did much of her damage against a much weaker schedule than her successors faced after Syracuse moved into the ACC.  And that’s just conference play.  

Rowan played her first two seasons under Lisa Miller and only her final two under Gary Gait, who regularly plays one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country.  Add in the fact that the team only managed 4 NCAA wins in Rowan’s four seasons and her fate finishing well behind another former lady laxer is sealed.

Rowan’s Resume

  • SU All-Time Leading Scorer (396 points on 232g, 164a)
  • SU All-Time Assists Leader (164)
  • SU Record for Most Points in a Game (13 vs Towson, 2008)
  • SU Record for Most Assists in a Game (8 vs Towson, 2008)
  • 3 NCAA Tournaments (4-3 Record)
  • Head Coach of Albany Women’s Lacrosse