Carrier Dome All Stars

Syracuse University’s football program has a storied history dating back to 1889, producing a parade of exceptional talents who have left an indelible mark on college football and beyond. From Heisman Trophy winners to NFL legends, Syracuse has been home to players whose skill, determination, and charisma elevated the Orange to national prominence.

While the program has seen its share of ups and downs, the legacy of its greatest players endures. Here, we explore the best Syracuse football players of all time, celebrating their contributions to the game and the university.

Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express

Following in Brown’s footsteps—quite literally, as both wore No. 44—was Ernie Davis, known as “The Elmira Express.” Davis arrived at Syracuse in 1959 and quickly established himself as a transcendent talent. A halfback with a rare blend of speed, agility, and toughness, Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, a landmark achievement that underscored his brilliance and broke racial barriers in college football.

Davis’s stats are staggering for an era with shorter seasons: 2,386 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns over three years. His 1961 season, where he ran for 823 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, propelled Syracuse to an 8-3 record and a No. 14 national ranking. His signature moment came in the 1960 Cotton Bowl, where he earned MVP honors with 141 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a 23-14 victory over Texas.

Tragically, Davis’s career was cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962, passing away in 1963 at age 23 before ever playing an NFL game. His No. 44 jersey was retired alongside Brown’s, and his legacy as a trailblazer and Syracuse icon endures.

Larry Csonka: The Powerhouse

Larry Csonka, a bruising fullback from 1965 to 1967, brought a different flavor to Syracuse’s backfield tradition. At 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds, Csonka was a human battering ram, punishing defenders with his relentless running style. His college career saw him amass 2,934 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, earning him All-American honors in 1967.

Csonka’s defining trait was his durability—he simply refused to go down. His punishing runs set the tone for Syracuse’s physical brand of football, and his 1967 season (1,208 yards, 8 touchdowns) remains one of the program’s finest. After Syracuse, Csonka became an NFL legend with the Miami Dolphins, winning two Super Bowls and earning Super Bowl VIII MVP honors in 1974.

Csonka’s No. 39 isn’t retired, but his impact at Syracuse is undeniable. He embodied the grit and toughness that defined the Orange in the 1960s, paving the way for future power runners.

Donovan McNabb: The Quarterback King

While Syracuse’s history is rich with running backs, Donovan McNabb redefined the quarterback position for the Orange from 1995 to 1998. A dual-threat maestro, McNabb combined a cannon arm with elusive scrambling ability, leading Syracuse to some of its most successful modern seasons. Over his career, he threw for 9,950 yards and 77 touchdowns while adding 1,969 rushing yards and 20 scores on the ground.

McNabb’s 1998 season was a masterpiece: 2,134 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and a 9-3 record that included a trip to the Orange Bowl. He finished fifth in Heisman voting that year and set numerous Syracuse records, including career passing yards and touchdowns. His leadership elevated Syracuse to Big East dominance, with three conference titles during his tenure.

Drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999, McNabb enjoyed a stellar NFL career, including six Pro Bowl nods. At Syracuse, he remains the greatest quarterback in program history, a symbol of the Orange’s late-20th-century resurgence.

Marvin Harrison: The Silent Assassin

Marvin Harrison, a wide receiver from 1992 to 1995, brought finesse and precision to Syracuse’s offensive arsenal. Playing alongside quarterback Kevin Mason, Harrison rewrote the record books with his uncanny route-running and reliable hands. Over his career, he hauled in 2,718 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, with his 1995 season (1,131 yards, 8 touchdowns) earning him All-Big East honors.

Harrison’s quiet demeanor belied his explosive playmaking. His chemistry with quarterbacks like McNabb (who arrived as Harrison departed) hinted at what could have been, but his own stats speak volumes. He holds Syracuse records for career receiving yards and was a key cog in the Orange’s high-flying offenses of the mid-90s.

In the NFL, Harrison became a Hall of Famer with the Indianapolis Colts, winning a Super Bowl and setting records alongside Peyton Manning. At Syracuse, he’s remembered as the program’s premier pass-catcher, a technician whose legacy looms large.

Floyd Little: The Franchise

Before Brown, Davis, or Csonka, there was Floyd Little, a dynamic halfback from 1964 to 1966. Known as “The Franchise” for his role in keeping Syracuse football relevant during lean years, Little dazzled with 2,704 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in just 30 games. His 1966 season (1,065 yards, 12 touchdowns) earned him fifth place in Heisman voting and cemented his status as an All-American.

Little’s versatility—running, receiving, and returning kicks—made him a one-man highlight reel. His No. 44 jersey joined Brown’s and Davis’s in retirement, a rare honor reflecting his impact. In the NFL, Little starred for the Denver Broncos, earning a Hall of Fame nod in 2010. At Syracuse, he’s the bridge between eras, a spark who kept the Orange flame burning.

Jim Brown: The Gold Standard

No discussion of Syracuse football greatness begins anywhere other than Jim Brown. Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in football history—at any level—Brown’s tenure at Syracuse from 1954 to 1956 was nothing short of legendary. A multi-sport athlete who also excelled in lacrosse, basketball, and track, Brown’s football prowess was unmatched. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 232 pounds, he combined bruising power with astonishing speed, making him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

In his senior year of 1956, Brown rushed for 986 yards and 14 touchdowns in just nine games, earning unanimous All-American honors. His most iconic performance came against Colgate, where he scored six touchdowns and tallied 43 points, a single-game record that still stands in Syracuse lore. Brown finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting that year, a testament to his dominance despite the era’s limited national exposure for Syracuse.

Brown’s legacy extends far beyond college. Drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns in 1957, he became an NFL icon, winning three MVP awards and a championship in 1964. At Syracuse, he remains the gold standard, with his No. 44 jersey retired and his name synonymous with excellence.

Honorable Mentions

Syracuse’s pantheon extends beyond these titans. Dwight Freeney (1998-2001), a ferocious defensive end, terrorized quarterbacks with 34 career sacks, earning All-American honors and a first-round NFL draft pick. Art Monk (1976-1979), a versatile wide receiver, set the stage for Harrison with 1,644 yards before a Hall of Fame NFL career. And Tim Green (1982-1985), a dominant defensive lineman, notched 45.5 sacks, showcasing Syracuse’s defensive prowess.

Legacy and Impact

These players didn’t just excel—they defined Syracuse football. Brown and Davis broke barriers and set records, Csonka and Little embodied toughness, McNabb and Harrison modernized the offense, and others like Freeney and Monk added depth to the legacy. Their success fueled national titles (1959), bowl victories, and a passionate fanbase that still chants “Sweet Caroline” at the Carrier Dome (now JMA Wireless Dome).

As of March 2025, Syracuse football continues to build on this foundation, with new stars emerging under head coach Fran Brown. Yet the all-time greats remain the benchmark, their names etched in Orange history as the best to ever wear the uniform.