Football

Atlanta Falcons select former SU linebacker Spruill in 5th round of NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons selected former Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill with the 28th pick in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft on Saturday.

He was the 21st linebacker taken in the draft.

Spruill’s 14.5 tackles for a loss tied the Orange’s team high with third-round pick defensive tackle Jay Bromley. Spruill was second in sacks with 5.5 and third in total tackles with 66. In a teleconference on April 24, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected Spruill to go in the sixth or seventh round after a strong performance at the NFLA Players Association Collegiate Bowl.

Spruill is the second former SU player drafted, after Bromley went to the New York Giants with the 74th overall pick. In addition to linebacker, Spruill can also contribute on special teams.

He joins offensive tackle Jake Matthews (sixth overall), defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman (37th overall), safety Dezmen Southward (68th overall), running back Devonta Freeman (103rd overall), linebacker Prince Shembo (139th overall) and cornerback Ricardo Allen (147th overall) as the newest members of the Falcons.



Spruill finished his SU football career in December and will graduate from Syracuse this weekend.

 





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